FOI request detail

ULEZ Charges

Request ID: FOI-2309-2122
Date published: 20 January 2022

You asked

For the purposes of these questions, I am referring to diesel-powered cars. The ULEZ system appears to be monitored by ANPR-type cameras located on the zone boundaries (in general terms, the North and South Circular Roads). These cameras presumably read a vehicle's registration plate and then a decision is made (by some automated process). The vehicle will either be charged £12.50 or the vehicle will not be charged, because it is exempt. From reading the rules published on the TFL website, the only reason for exemption (in the case of a diesel-powered car) is that the vehicle is fitted with a Euro 6 diesel engine. This information is given on the V5 log-book, and on vehicle data sheets - but the cameras can't see either document. So, the question is:- how does TFL check that the car engine meets the criteria of Euro 6? (Or that the subject vehicle is exempt from the charge?). The second question is very similar - but is actually different. This concerns the "check your vehicle" facility on the TfL website. (The link address for this is tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/cars). The "check your vehicle" facility asks only for the vehicle registration number. It does then ask for confirmation that the vehicle is UK registered and provides a description of the vehicle (Make, model etc) and asks for verification that these details match the registration number. At this point the user is told which "zone charges" apply to the vehicle (firstly, congestion zone charges, secondly ULEZ charges). A decision is therefore being made (again, by an automated process). People are being told whether or not their vehicle will be subject to the ULEZ charge. So, the question is:- how does TFL check that the car engine meets the criteria of Euro 6? (Or that the subject vehicle is exempt from the charge?). I hope my question is worded precisely enough to give clarity on the information I wish to receive. Should you require clarification you can of course seek this.

We answered

TfL Ref: FOI-2309-2122

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 12th January 2022 asking for information about ULEZ charges for diesel powered vehicles.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. 

Specifically you asked:

How does TFL check that the car engine meets the criteria of Euro 6?  (Or that the subject vehicle is exempt from the charge?).

The second question is very similar - but is actually different. This concerns the "check your vehicle" facility on the TfL website. (The link address for this is tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/cars). The "check your vehicle" facility asks only for the vehicle registration number. It does then ask for confirmation that the vehicle is UK registered and provides a description of the vehicle (Make, model etc) and asks for verification that these details match the registration number.
At this point the user is told which "zone charges" apply to the vehicle (firstly, congestion zone charges, secondly ULEZ charges).

A decision is therefore being made (again, by an automated process).

People are being told whether or not their vehicle will be subject to the ULEZ charge.

So, the question is:- how does TFL check that the car engine meets the criteria of Euro 6? (Or that the subject vehicle is exempt from the charge?).”

The answer to both questions is that the systems in place (the network of Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras for the first question, and the software used on the website for the second question) link to information held by the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) which confirms the vehicle’s compliance status.

Note that more general information about the operation of the ULEZ scheme can be found here:

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone

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,

David Wells
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
 

Back to top

Want to make a request?

We'll email you the response within 20 working days.


We'll publish the response online without disclosing any personal information.