My manufacturer has confirmed with me that the emissions for my motorbike are lower that the threshold ( 0.15 Nox ) that you would use to levy the ULEZ charge. Your records state that the motorbike exceeds the threshold and as such, I have been charged. I would like to see what proof you have about my vehicle that shows that if exceeds the emissions levels. I would like to know from which organisation you contacted to obtain this proof in order to justify your charging structure. I would l like to know if you automatically assume that any motorbike manufactured prior to 2007 automatically exceeds the threshold for emissions and as such, you are able to justify the charge. My vehicle is an Aprilia RSVR Mille, registration xxxxxx if you need this to check your database for any proof you have that the vehicle exceeds the emissions limits as laid down by ULEZ.

---

TfL Ref: FOI-2367-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 19^th February 2021 asking for information about 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. 

Specifically you asked:

“My manufacturer has confirmed with me that the emissions for my motorbike are lower that the threshold ( 0.15 Nox ) that you would use to levy the ULEZ charge. Your records state that the motorbike exceeds the threshold and as such, I have been charged. I would like to see what proof you have about my vehicle that shows that if exceeds the emissions levels. I would like to know from which organisation you contacted to obtain this proof in order to justify your charging structure. I would l like to know if you automatically assume that any motorbike manufactured prior to 2007 automatically exceeds the threshold for emissions and as such, you are able to justify the charge. My vehicle is an Aprilia RSVR Mille, registration xxxxxxxx if you need this to check your database for any proof you have that the vehicle exceeds the emissions limits as laid down by ULEZ.”

When a vehicle is observed in the ULEZ by Automatic Number Plate Recognition, we obtain vehicle data from the DVLA with regards to emissions information and issue a Penalty Charge Notice if required according to the information returned. We can only go by the information registered with the DVLA on the vehicle V5C form. Motorbikes must be Euro 3 compliant to be exempt from the charge and this standard only became mandatory for new motorbikes in 2007. If a motorbike was made prior to 2007 it is possible it would not be ULEZ compliant.

Although the scheme is enforced on the declared emissions of a vehicle rather than its age, Euro 3 motorcycle engines are generally those manufactured in, or after, 2007, which is when the Euro 3 standard for motorcycles became mandatory. Motorcycles fitted with engines manufactured before 2007 will not meet the Euro 3 standard unless the recorded oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions are equal to, or less than, 0.15 grams per kilometre.

While TfL uses the emissions levels declared to the DVLA by the manufacturer at first registration, motorcycle emissions are frequently not recorded. Where no other data exists, we use the date of manufacture to determine a vehicle’s compliance status. This said, we accept that a motorcycle engine manufactured prior to 2007 may have been built with emissions performance that meets the relevant standard. In the event a vehicle owner is able to supply evidence to demonstrate this we will update our records accordingly.

In order to categorically confirm whether a vehicle is compliant, we need to see a copy of its registration document (V5C) and a Certificate of Conformity, or a letter from the vehicle manufacturer’s Homologation Department. The latter needs to be on the manufacturer’s letter headed paper, signed by a named individual from the Homologation or Technical Department, and must contain the vehicle registration, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the Euro standard the vehicle was manufactured to, and the vehicle’s fuel type and NOx/PM values.

You can supply such evidence to our Road User Charging team via the following section of our website:

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/cc-contact-us-make-an-enquiry-wizard-37743

If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

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

---