Request ID: FOI-0674-2425 Date published: 16 October 2024
You asked
I'm looking for data on LEZ penalty charge notices to foreign registered vehicles, and wondering if you could provide the following
-a total, by year, of the total LEZ PCNs for foreign registered vehicles for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, showing the total number and total value.
-The number and value number of foreign registered vehicle charges that were canceled, as well as those that have been paid in each of the years
-the same figures as above (total PCNs), specifically for vehicles registered in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Romania, Qatar and Kuwait
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0674-2425
Thank you for your request received on 29 May 2024 asking for information about Low Emission Zone (LEZ) penalty charge notices (PCNs). Please accept my apologies for the delay in our response.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require.
By way of context, TfL operates the London LEZ and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), schemes that enhance air quality in London by reducing harmful emissions from road transport. Considering the air quality and health benefits of the schemes, it is important that they apply to all vehicles that are used in London - irrespective of which country the vehicle is registered in.
The LEZ operates to encourage the most polluting heavy diesel vehicles driving in London to become cleaner. It covers most of greater London and is in operation 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The LEZ is separate from the ULEZ which covers the same zone but applies to smaller vehicles such as cars and vans weighing less than 3.5 tonnes.
For UK-registered vehicles, compliance is usually established using the vehicle information held by the DVLA. However, TfL does not have access to the equivalent information for vehicles registered outside the UK. If a foreign registered vehicle is used in the LEZ, and not registered with TfL, the details are passed by TfL to European Parking Collections (EPC), who can operate on our behalf, under contract, to issue PCNs and carry out additional checks to establish if a vehicle is compliant.
To assist foreign motorists, since the launch of the London wide Low Emission Zone in 2008, TfL has operated an enquiry service that allows owners of non-UK registered vehicles to contact TfL and provide evidence that their vehicle is compliant with the relevant scheme. On receipt of this evidence, the records are updated to mark the vehicle as compliant, ensuring it can then be used in the charging area without payment. Customers can register online.
If a vehicle isn’t registered and the keeper receives a PCN they have the right to challenge the penalty. If the evidence is provided confirming the vehicle is compliant, but wasn’t registered, the penalties are cancelled, and the vehicle records updated.
You asked for:
• A total, by year, of the total LEZ PCNs for foreign registered vehicles for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, showing the total number and total value. • The number and value number of foreign registered vehicle charges that were canceled, as well as those that have been paid in each of the years
The table below details the number of LEZ penalties issued by EPC to foreign registered vehicles in each calendar year along with the number cancelled and the value of the cancellations.
The level of the penalty charge for non-payment of the LEZ depends on the weight and emission standards of the vehicle. Full details of the penalty charge levels are on the LEZ website at Penalty charges for the LEZ - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk).
To put the figures into context we have included the number of individual vehicles which have incurred a penalty in each year.
Year
PCNs issued
Unique Vehicles
PCNs Paid
PCNs Cancelled
Value of cancelled PCNs
2018
79,540
21,181
6,633
72,807
£72,806,500
2019
41,672
14,154
4,872
36,790
£36,789,000
2020
21,210
6,837
2,092
19,093
£19,093,000
2021
42,101
10,341
2,018
38,938
£73,315,500
2022
41,305
11,532
2,347
30,844
£61,588,000
2023
10,813
2,472
501
4,879
£9,742,000
Total
236,641
66,555
18,463
203,351
£273,334,000
As outlined above on receipt of a penalty a motorist can make a representation if they believe the penalty has been incorrectly issued.
The most common reasons for representation being accepted is where a motorist has provided evidence that their vehicle is compliant with the LEZ but wasn’t registered with us when it was driven in the LEZ. In such instances the penalty is cancelled, and the vehicle registered as compliant.
The remaining PCNs which haven’t been cancelled or paid remain outstanding or have been written off due to being unable to gain payment.
• The same figures as above (total PCNs), specifically for vehicles registered in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Romania, Qatar and Kuwait
Please find below the totals for these countries. We have not issued any PCNs against vehicles registered in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar or Kuwait.
France
Year
PCNs Issued
Unique Vehicles
PCNs Paid
PCNs Cancelled
PCNs Cancelled Value
2018
3,080
361
239
2,841
£2,841,000
2019
2,383
199
90
2,293
£2,293,000
2020
543
69
32
509
£509,000
2021
3,347
888
255
2,877
£5,600,000
2022
9,831
2,753
582
8,115
£16,230,000
2023
297
20
2
231
£462,000
total
19,481
4,290
1,200
16,866
£27,935,000
Germany
Year
PCNs Issued
Unique Vehicles
PCNs Paid
PCNs Cancelled
PCNs Cancelled Value
2018
12,921
6,233
2,612
10,298
£10,297,500
2019
11,722
5,921
2,340
9,378
£9,377,000
2020
3,900
1,798
848
3,049
£3,049,000
2021
3,047
1,232
400
2,631
£5,042,000
2022
5,036
2,501
491
2,986
£5,955,000
2023
406
101
20
153
£306,000
Total
37,032
17,786
6,711
28,495
£34,026,500
Romania
Year
PCNs Issued
Unique Vehicles
PCNs Paid
PCNs Cancelled
PCNs Cancelled Value
2018
1,444
272
58
1,386
£1,386,000
2019
356
106
19
337
£337,000
2020
122
55
12
110
£110,000
2021
289
102
26
259
£496,000
2022
143
42
5
95
£190,000
2023
1,407
270
16
472
£944,000
Total
3,761
847
136
2,659
£3,463,000
If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
