TfL Ref: 1753-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 23 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. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:
- Which database does TFL use to verify whether a vehicle meets ULEZ compliance?
In order to establish whether a vehicle is compliant with the ULEZ emission standards, we predominantly use the vehicle data held by the DVLA. In most cases we can establish a vehicle’s compliance status by the date it was first registered as new. We know that all diesel cars first registered as new after 1 September 2015, and all petrol cars first registered as new after 1 January 2006, are automatically compliant with the ULEZ standards. This is because there was a legal requirement to manufacture vehicles to these standards as of these dates.
However, this isn’t always adequate to allow us to confirm compliance and therefore we supplement this with data from the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), and from some vehicle manufacturers.
We acknowledge that despite our best efforts to establish compliance, we still may not be able to do so for all vehicles. This is predominantly because there is no national requirement for vehicle emissions data to be recorded and such vehicle emission data simply may not be available.
In light of this, we have set up an enquiry service. If a motorist believes we have the compliance status of their vehicle as incorrect, then they can provide evidence to us to confirm it is compliant. Such evidence could include a Certificate of Conformity from the vehicle manufacturer confirming emissions or evidence that a vehicle has been tested and the relevant emissions standards met.
- Where there is a lack of evidence to prove that a vehicle does not meet ULEZ requirements, what evidence is accepted, and how do you verify the authenticity of the evidence?
As outlined above, we would accept a Certificate of Conformity or a letter from the vehicle manufacturer’s homologation department confirming the specific vehicle’s emissions. We have worked with vehicle manufacturers to validate the evidence we receive.
- Where vehicles are imported to the UK from Japan, how are they assessed against the ULEZ requirements?
All vehicles, irrespective of which country they were manufactured in, are subject to the ULEZ emission standards.
Japanese manufactured vehicles were type approved for the Japanese market and therefore may not have recorded emissions.
If a vehicle is imported from Japan, we would require evidence to confirm it meets the standards. This could be a Certificate of Conformity from the vehicle manufacturer, or a letter from their homologation department.
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 as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Jasmine Howard
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
