Disability and Clean Vehicle Exemptions to Congestion Zones Charges after Christmas 2025
Request ID: FOI-1730-2223 Date published: 10 November 2022
You asked
Any strategy, policy and future legislation that informs what disabled residents within Congestion Areas can expect in relation to ULEZ and other taxes, after Christmas 2025. Your reports seem to state that the disability exemption to ULEZ charges, and the Clean Vehicle exemption to ULEZ charges, will both end on the 25th of December 2025. Will disabled residents within Congestion Zones have to pay the daily charge even if they drive a 0 emission fully electric vehicle, after this date? If so, how do you plan to support disabled residents of ULEZ, whose vehicle's use is necessary to their access to public places and daily travels? What are your current policies on this Christmas 2025 transition, in order to cater to the needs of disabled residents within ULEZ ?
We answered
Our ref: FOI-1730-2223/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 16 October 2022 asking for information about Disability and Clean Vehicle Exemptions to Congestion Zones Charges after Christmas 2025.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
Disabled residents who qualify for a residents’ discount or Blue Badge discount for the Congestion Charge will continue to have that benefit beyond 2025. As part of proposals to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) London-wide it was also proposed that those who qualify for the disabled or disabled passenger tax class and wheelchair accessible PHVs will also continue to benefit from grace periods beyond 2025. It should also be noted that in response to public consultation TfL are considering additional ways to support disabled Londoners in the expanded ULEZ. Please find below a more detailed explanation of both schemes including discounts and exemptions for disabled people. Congestion Charging Zone The Congestion Charge is a £15 daily charge if you drive within the Congestion Charge zone 7:00-18:00 Monday-Friday and 12:00-18:00 Sat-Sun and bank holidays. No charge between Christmas Day and New Year's Day bank Holiday (inclusive). Discounts At present disabled drivers may be able to register for the following discounts: Residents' discount To qualify for the 90% residents' discount, you must live within the Congestion Charge residents' discount zone. Cleaner vehicle discount Only battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are eligible for the 100% cleaner vehicle discount. From 25 December 2025, the cleaner vehicle discount will be discontinued. From this date, all vehicle owners, unless in receipt of another discount or exemption, will need to pay to enter the Congestion Charge zone during charging hours. Blue Badge holders If you hold a valid Blue Badge in the European Economic Area, you're eligible to register for a 100% discount, even if you don't own a vehicle or drive. You can register up to two vehicles that you would normally use to travel within the Congestion Charge zone. This could be your own vehicle, or one you travel in. Exemptions You don't have to pay the Congestion Charge or register with us if the vehicle is recorded at the DVLA as a vehicle used by disabled people that are exempt from vehicle tax and have a 'disabled' taxation class. Ultra Low Emission Zone The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, except Christmas Day (25 December). The zone now covers all areas within (but not including) the North and South Circular Roads, but we have just consulted on expanding the scheme London-wide, which would start in August 2023 if confirmed. For cars and light vans the minimum emission standard is Euro 4 for petrol and Euro 6 for diesel. If your vehicle meets this standard, then no charge is payable. Discounts The consultation proposed the following temporary 100% discounts (or ‘grace periods’) from the ULEZ for non-compliant vehicles. • Disabled and disabled passenger tax class vehicles (until Sunday 24 October 2027) • Wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles (until Sunday 24 October 2027)
If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
