ULEZ Rules Explained: Charges, Zones and Exemptions

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) now covers every London borough, and the daily charge for a non-compliant vehicle is £12.50 for cars, motorcycles, and vans up to 3.5 tonnes. If you drive in London, you need to know whether your vehicle meets the emissions standards and what to do if it does not. This guide explains the current rules, how to check your vehicle, and what it means when you buy a used car.

What is ULEZ and where does it apply?

ULEZ is a clean air zone run by Transport for London (TfL). It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, including Christmas Day. The zone now covers all 32 London boroughs plus the City of London – effectively the entire area inside the M25, although the M25 itself is not included.

If your vehicle does not meet the emissions standards, you must pay £12.50 for each day you drive within the zone. The charge applies from midnight to midnight, so if you drive in the zone at 11pm and again at 1am, you pay for two days.

What are the emissions standards?

ULEZ standards are based on European emissions standards, known as Euro ratings. The rules are:

• Petrol cars – must meet Euro 4 standards or better. Most petrol cars registered from 2006 onwards meet this.
• Diesel cars – must meet Euro 6 standards or better. Most diesel cars registered from September 2015 onwards meet this.

Motorcycles and mopeds must meet Euro 3 standards. Vans and minibuses up to 3.5 tonnes follow the same rules as cars. Heavier vehicles, such as lorries and buses, are subject to different standards and a different charge.

It is not always possible to tell from the registration year alone. Some cars registered before 2006 were built to Euro 4 standards, and some registered after may not meet the required standard. The only reliable way to know is to check your vehicle's emissions information.

How do you check if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant?

You can check your vehicle on the TfL website using the registration number. You will need to enter the vehicle details exactly as they appear on the V5C logbook. The check will tell you whether you need to pay the charge.

If you want to know the Euro standard of your vehicle, you can find it on the V5C in section 2 (vehicle details) – look for the field labelled 'Euro status'. If it is not shown, contact the manufacturer with your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).

You can also use our free vehicle check to see the CO2 emissions and first registration date, which can give you a rough idea of the Euro standard, but the definitive answer comes from TfL.

What are the exemptions and discounts?

There are a few exemptions and discounts, but they are limited:

• Disabled tax class – vehicles in the 'disabled' tax class are exempt from ULEZ, but you must register with TfL to get the exemption.
• Historic vehicles – vehicles built before 1 January 1973 are exempt because they are not subject to the Euro standards.
• Community transport minibuses – some minibuses used for community transport may be eligible for a 100% discount.

There is no general discount for low-income drivers, key workers, or residents. If your vehicle is non-compliant and you live in London, you will need to pay the charge every day you drive, or consider replacing the vehicle.

What happens if you do not pay?

If you drive a non-compliant vehicle in the zone and do not pay the charge by midnight on the third day after the journey, you will receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). The penalty is £180, reduced to £90 if you pay within 14 days.

If you drive in the zone regularly without paying, you can receive multiple PCNs – one for each day. TfL uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to enforce the zone, so there is no way to avoid detection.

How is ULEZ different from the Congestion Charge and Clean Air Zones?

ULEZ is often confused with the Congestion Charge, but they are separate schemes:

• Congestion Charge – applies to a small area in central London, 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 12pm to 6pm at weekends and on bank holidays, with no charge between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The charge is £18 a day if you pay on the day or in advance, or £21 if you pay by midnight on the third day after travelling. It is based on the time and location of your journey, not on your vehicle's emissions.
• ULEZ – applies across all London boroughs, 24/7. The charge is based on your vehicle's emissions, not on the time of day.

You can be charged both on the same day if you drive a non-compliant vehicle in the Congestion Charge zone during its operating hours. The two charges are separate, so you must pay each one.

Other cities in the UK, such as Birmingham, Bath, Bristol, and Sheffield, have their own Clean Air Zones (CAZ). These are similar to ULEZ but are run by the local council, and the charges and standards can differ. If you drive outside London, check the rules for each city you visit.

What does ULEZ mean when buying a used car?

If you live in or regularly drive to London, ULEZ should be a major factor in your next car purchase. A non-compliant car might be cheaper to buy, but you will pay £12.50 every day you drive it in the zone. Over a year of daily commuting, that is over £3,000 – far more than any saving on the purchase price.

When viewing a used car, ask the seller for the Euro standard. If they do not know, check the V5C or contact the manufacturer. You can also run a MOT history check to see if the car has been regularly used in London – a pattern of MOT tests at London garages might suggest the owner has been paying the charge, but it is not a guarantee.

For diesel cars, look for a registration date of September 2015 or later, as these are most likely to be Euro 6. For petrol cars, look for a registration date of 2006 or later, but be aware that some earlier petrol cars are also compliant.

Finally, remember that ULEZ is not the only cost to consider. You should also check the car's tax and MOT status before you buy. Use our combined MOT and tax check to see the full picture, and if you are buying from a private seller, ask to see the V5C to confirm the details match.