Request ID: FOI-2269-2223 Date published: 09 January 2023
You asked
Since October 25th 2021 - how many vehicles registered in Kent, Surrey and Sussex respectively have been issued with fines for Non compliance of the ULEZ charge?
Can you please provide me with a breakdown for each county?
How many of those fines remain unpaid?
How many fines are written off?
How many fines were issued to overseas vehicles ?
How many of those fines were paid and how many are still outstanding?
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-2269-1112
Thank you for your request received on 9 December 2022 asking for information about penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued for non-compliance in the Ultra-low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require.
The ULEZ was originally launched on 8 April 2019 and covered the same area of central London as the Congestion Charging zone. On 25 October 2021 the ULEZ was expanded to cover the area up to but not including the North and South circular roads. This represented an 18 time increase in the size of the zone. As the expansion was new between 25 October 2021 and 22 November 2021 we issued warning notices rather than PCNs to the keepers of non-compliant vehicles being driven in the zone without payment of the charge.
Both schemes operate using Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology. Each entry point to, and exit from, the zones are clearly signed and as a vehicle enters, leaves, or drives within the zone its registration is recorded along with an image of the vehicle.
You asked:
• Since October 25th 2021 - how many vehicles registered in Kent, Surrey and Sussex respectively have been issued with fines for Non-compliance of the ULEZ charge? • Can you please provide me with a breakdown for each county? • How many of those fines remain unpaid? • How many fines are written off?
When we issue a PCN it is sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle as held by the DVLA. The address to where the penalty is sent doesn’t always indicate where the driver resides. For example if a vehicle is on hire the penalty will be issued to the hire company rather than the driver.
The table below details the number of penalties issued to addresses in the said counties between 25 October 2021 and 30 November 2022. Those issued in Sussex include the counties of East and West Sussex.
When a penalty is issued the recipient can challenge the penalty by submitting a representation to us. If the representation is accepted the penalty is cancelled. If it rejected the motorist has a further right of appeal to an Independent Adjudicators at London Tribunals. If the appeal is allowed the penalty is cancelled and if it is refused the penalty remains payable.
Those written off represent a penalty where we have written off an outstanding balance on a penalty, usually after receiving payment for part of the balance.
These figures may change as more PCNs are settled over time.
Cancelled
Open
Paid
Part Paid
Written Off
Total
Sussex
2,192
9,271
22,963
211
2
34,639
Kent
5,113
28,410
38,331
449
77
72,380
Surrey
3,297
17,019
31,066
320
16
51,718
• How many fines were issued to overseas vehicles ? • How many of those fines were paid and how many are still outstanding?
In order to maximise the air quality benefits of the ULEZ, and to ensure consistency, the scheme applies to vehicles registered both within and outside of the UK.
We issue PCNs when we have reason to believe a contravention occurred. All PCNs are subject to a statutory representations and appeals process. Should a driver believe the PCN was issued incorrectly, they can challenge the PCN. Should a driver pay a PCN and later have their representation accepted or appeal allowed, any payment will be refunded. Each challenge is considered on a case-by-case basis, including any mitigating circumstances. We have the discretion to cancel a PCN or refund all or part of a PCN payment for any reason, however this would not mean the PCN was issued incorrectly.
The table below details the number of penalties issued by our service provider EPC, between 25 October 2021 and 30 November 2022, along with the number paid, cancelled and written off.
Cancelled
Open
Paid
Part Paid
Written Off
Total
Foreign
484
100,841
9,808
2,057
1,673
114,863
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free 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
