Request ID: FOI-3802-2324 Date published: 23 February 2024
You asked
For the calendar year - 2023, 2022, 2021, broken down into each year separately
a. How many PCN’s were issued for ulez, congestion charge, red routes (please provide the figures separately, not combined)
b. How many of those PCN’s were cancelled due to the vehicle being or suspected to be ‘cloned’. (again please provide figures separated into ulez, congestion charge, red route and separated per year)
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-3802-2324 Thank you for your request received on 26 January 2024 asking for information about penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued for contraventions relating to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), Congestion Charge Zone, and TfL Road Network (TLRN) – red routes. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. You asked: For the calendar year - 2023, 2022, 2021, broken down into each year separately:
How many PCN’s were issued for ulez, congestion charge, red routes (please provide the figures separately, not combined)
On 25 October 2021 the ULEZ was expanded to cover the area up to but not including the North and South circular roads. The ULEZ was then further expanded on 29 August 2023 across all London boroughs. The ULEZ was then further expanded on 29 August 2023 across all London boroughs. Following the launch of the expansion, between 29 August and 25 September 2023, warning notices were issued to owners of non-compliant vehicles who had not paid the ULEZ charge after driving in the zone. Warning notices were issued to ensure the correct action is taken in the future and to allow for any genuine mistakes that may have occurred. Since 26 September 2023, PCNs have been issued for contraventions. Please find the requested information in the table below:
Congestion Charge
TLRN
ULEZ
Total
2021
1,158,943
651,920
568,232
2,379,095
2022
978,081
741,260
1,997,307
3,716,648
2023
900,793
730,449
1,610,744
3,241,986
How many of those PCN’s were cancelled due to the vehicle being or suspected to be ‘cloned’. (again please provide figures separated into ulez, congestion charge, red route and separated per year)
The ULEZ and the Congestion Charge operate through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. As a vehicle enters, leaves or drives within the zone, the registration, along with an image of the vehicle, is recorded by an ANPR camera. At the end of the charge payment period, the list of registrations observed in the zone is compared with the list of vehicles which have had the charge paid, are exempt, or receive a 100% discounted from the charge. Where a match is found the image of the vehicle is deleted. Where no match is found the image is retained for enforcement purposes. We then contact the DVLA to obtain details of the registered keeper and the vehicle make and model details. Prior to issuing a penalty we verify that the vehicle details provided by the DVLA match the image of the vehicle which we have. Every image is checked by two members of staff before any PCN is issued. Where there is a match a PCN is issued. If the vehicle description provided by the DVLA doesn’t match the image of the vehicle which we have, a PCN will not be issued. A similar manual verification process is carried out prior to us issuing a TLRN penalty. On receipt of a penalty a motorist has a statutory right to challenge the penalty by submitting a representation to us. If a motorist contacts us stating that the penalty has been issued due to the vehicle being cloned, there is an established process. We ask for evidence such as specific pictures and a crime reference number. On receipt of satisfactory evidence the representation will be accepted and the PCN cancelled. Our policy is for no PCN to progress after evidence of vehicle cloning has been provided. If no evidence is provided, or we are unable to verify the claim that the vehicle has been cloned, the representation will be rejected. When a representation is rejected the motorist is granted a right of appeal to an Independent Adjudicator at London Tribunals. The table below details the number of PCNs cancelled following a vehicle being reported as cloned. This represents less than 0.5% of all penalties issued. It is not unusual for a vehicle reported as being cloned to have incurred multiple penalties. We have therefore also included the number of unique vehicles which have had penalties cancelled.
Congestion Charge
Unique Vehicles
TLRN
Unique Vehicles
ULEZ
Unique Vehicles
2021
3,227
2023
1,061
859
2,786
1444
2022
2,043
1452
1,443
1137
12,827
5555
2023
2,031
1420
1,680
1375
11,817
5150
If this is not the information you are looking please do not hesitate 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
