Policy determining why a ULEZ violation is not immediately issued as a warning text/email
Request ID: FOI-1592-2324 Date published: 04 September 2023
You asked
I would like to have sight of the specific meeting minutes that determined the policy to deny motorists an 'advisory' warning email or text to the registered vehicle holder indicating they have entered a ULEZ zone.
This would enable motorists to make a payment, when they have stopped driving that day.
The reality is receiving a penalty for a breach of ULEZ terms 3 weeks later than event. I did not know ULEZ was applicable, and I would warrant a more 'helpful', or 'civilised' courtesy email/text to advise of the breach as soon as it happens would be a more human way of educating a population of a new punitive tax. (I know the tech is there to support that).
This would be a fairer way of introducing this stealth taxation. It would galvanize greater support for its introduction, and would be better perceived as taxation with a 'soft lens'. I do not live in London, so to receive a fine letter 3 weeks after the event that is demanding a £270 penalty charge is an abuse of power and flagrant extortion of money from motorists.
We answered
TfL Ref: 1592-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 14 August 2023 asking for information about the ULEZ scheme.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. You asked: I would like to have sight of the specific meeting minutes that determined the policy to deny motorists an 'advisory' warning email or text to the registered vehicle holder indicating they have entered a ULEZ zone. This would enable motorists to make a payment, when they have stopped driving that day. The reality is receiving a penalty for a breach of ULEZ terms 3 weeks later than event. I did not know ULEZ was applicable, and I would warrant a more 'helpful', or 'civilised' courtesy email/text to advise of the breach as soon as it happens would be a more human way of educating a population of a new punitive tax. (I know the tech is there to support that). This would be a fairer way of introducing this stealth taxation. It would galvanize greater support for its introduction, and would be better perceived as taxation with a 'soft lens'. I do not live in London, so to receive a fine letter 3 weeks after the event that is demanding a £270 penalty charge is an abuse of power and flagrant extortion of money from motorists.
We do not hold the information you have requested. This is because we are not able to send motorists an advisory email or text to indicate they have entered the ULEZ as we do not have any access to the registered keeper information in order to send an advisory text or email and DVLA would be unlikely to grant that access for privacy purposes. TfL is only permitted to approach the DVLA for keeper details in order to pursue a statutory offence which would have become due after non-payment of the PCN.
Customers can sign up free for an Auto pay account with TfL and this can be done using the following link: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/auto-pay. By registering for Auto pay, payments are taken automatically when the vehicle is observed moving inside the zones.
If you have experienced difficulties with a penalty notice incurred then you can contact our Road User Charging team at [email protected] who will try and assist you.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
