FOI request detail

ULEZ Charges

Request ID: FOI-3812-2324
Date published: 04 March 2024

You asked

1. How many ULEZ PCNs - wrong penalty charges have been in areas of London from August 2023 to the end of January 2024? Explanation: In this case, I mean incorrect ULEZ fines, when a penalty has been incorrectly issued it is cancelled. 2. How many ULEZ PCNs - unpaid penalty charges have been registered in areas of London from August 2023 to the end of January 2024? Explanation: With unpaid charges I mean people who didn`t pay the fine and it has been registered as an unpaid debt at the Traffic Enforcement Centre. I want to have the information for all PCNs, not just for London residents from 1st August 2023 till the end of January 2024.

We answered

Our Ref:         FOI-3812-2324

Thank you for clarifying your request for information about Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) penalty charge notices (PCNs).

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require.

1.         How many ULEZ PCNs - wrong penalty charges have been in areas of London from August 2023 to the end of January 2024?
Explanation: In this case, I mean incorrect ULEZ fines, when a penalty has been incorrectly issued it is cancelled.

When we issue, and subsequently cancel, a ULEZ penalty we do not record whether it was incorrectly issued.

When a motorist receives a penalty they can challenge it by submitting a representation to us. If the representation is accepted the penalty is cancelled and if it is rejected the motorist has a further right to appeal against this decision to an Independent Adjudicator at London Tribunals. If the appeal is allowed the penalty is cancelled and if refused it remains outstanding.

When considering representations we do exercise discretion and consider mitigating circumstances. This can often result in a representation being accepted and the PCN being cancelled despite the PCN being correctly issued. Such instances would include when a motorist had inadvertently paid for the wrong vehicle registration or date of travel and as a result received a penalty. A further example would be if a motorist forgot to update or to add a vehicle to their Road User Charging Auto Pay account. Again, on receipt of a representation, we may exercise discretion and cancel a penalty. Therefore, the acceptance of a representation doesn’t mean the penalty was incorrectly issued.

2.         How many ULEZ PCNs - unpaid penalty charges have been registered in areas of London from August 2023 to the end of January 2024? 
Explanation: With unpaid charges I mean people who didn`t pay the fine and it has been registered as an unpaid debt at the Traffic Enforcement Centre.

If the recipient of a PCN doesn’t pay or make a representation within 28 calendar days from the date of issue, a Charge Certificate will be served. If the penalty charge remains unpaid within 14 days of the Charge Certificate being served, then we may apply to register it as an unpaid debt at the Traffic Enforcement Centre. It may then be registered as an unpaid debt and an Order for Recovery will then be issued. Drivers can challenge the registration of the debt by making an application to file a Statutory Declaration. More information regarding challenging a PCN can be found on our website:

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/low-emission-zone/penalty-charges/challenge-a-penalty-charge-notice

The ULEZ was expanded on 29 August 2023 to cover 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, Penalty Charge Notices have been issued for contraventions.

Since 1 August 2023 until 31 January 2024, 956,490 PCNs have been issued. Of these, 225,188 have had a debt registered at the Traffic Enforcement Centre and an Order for Recovery issued. 

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.

Yours sincerely

Gemma Jacob
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

[email protected]

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