Request ID: FOI-3809-2324 Date published: 16 February 2024
You asked
1. Does the ULEZ checker use only manufacturers emissions data to derive ULEZ compliance?
2. What are the emission values used in the database to determine compliance:
Broken down for All makes, models & years Please provide full methodology for deciding compliance for, Volkswagen 2013 to 2015 diesels: Beetle, CC, Eos, Golf, Jetta, Passat, Scirocco & Sharan.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-3809-2324
Thank you for your request received on 29 January 2024 asking for information about Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) compliance data.
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:
1. Does the ULEZ checker use only manufacturers emissions data to derive ULEZ compliance?
In order to be compliant with the ULEZ a vehicle must meet the emissions standards outlined in the LEZ Scheme Order. A copy is available on our website:
The Scheme Order outlines that petrol vehicles must be Euro 4 and have NOx emissions equal to or less than 0.08 g/km. Diesel vehicles must be Euro 6 and have NOx emissions equal to or less than 0.08 g/km and particulate matter emissions equal to or less than 0.005 g/km.
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 on manufacturers to build vehicles to these standards as of these dates. Therefore, we can usually establish compliance based on the date of first registration. We also supplement DVLA data with a range of published information from the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). This data is used in our online vehicle checker, where owners can check whether their vehicle meets emissions standards.
If an owner of a vehicle registered before these dates believes that their vehicle meets the ULEZ standard and they want to avoid paying a charge, they should contact us and provide us with a copy of the vehicle's V5C or non-UK equivalent and a letter from the vehicle manufacturer stating the vehicle's Euro standard or a conformity certificate.. Once received and verified the compliance status of the vehicle would be updated.
2. What are the emission values used in the database to determine compliance:
Broken down for All makes, models & years Please provide full methodology for deciding compliance for, Volkswagen 2013 to 2015 diesels: Beetle, CC, Eos, Golf, Jetta, Passat, Scirocco & Sharan.
The emission standards to determine compliance are outlined above. If an owner of a vehicle registered before these dates believes that their vehicle meets the ULEZ standard and they want to avoid paying a charge, they should contact us and provide us with a copy of the vehicle's V5C or non-UK equivalent and a letter from the vehicle manufacturer stating the vehicle's Euro standard or a conformity certificate.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, 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
