Freedom of Information request - Unpaid ULEZ Charges and Fines
Request ID: FOI-4202-2324 Date published: 10 April 2024
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
Following on from the answers given in response to FOI-0171-2324 submitted by , please could you set out, for each of the financial years 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23:
1. the total amount of ULEZ-related fines and charges:
(a) unpaid after 6 months,
(b) unpaid after 12 months, and
(c) written off.
2. the above figures in respect only of UK registered vehicles
Yours faithfully,
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-4202-2324 Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on14 February 2024 asking for information about unpaid 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 do hold the information you require. Please see the requested information in the below tables. The ULEZ was launched on 8 April 2019 and covered the same area as the Congestion Charging zone. On 25 October 2021, the zone was extended up to but not including the North and South circular which was an 18 times increase in the size of the zone. This is why the PCNs volumes are significantly higher for 21/22 and 22/23. We take all reasonable steps to obtain payment of a PCN including issuing a minimum of three notices and, where payment is still not made, issuing a warrant to our contracted Enforcement Agents. We use Euro Parking Collection plc to issue and administer PCNs to vehicles registered outside of the UK. This has significantly increased our collection rates and encouraged compliance.
UK registered vehicles
2020-2021
2021-2022
2022-2023
PCNs Issued
261,277
968,136
1,680,029
unpaid after 6 months
18,808
462,560
984,237
unpaid after 12 months
7,833
431,779
944,059
written off
86,589
19,008
3,526
Non-UK registered vehicles
2020-2021
2021-2022
2022-2023
PCNs Issued
61,416
147,893
325,343
unpaid after 6 months
49,305
120,639
261,056
unpaid after 12 months
49,254
120,471
260,277
written off
9,266
17,077
38,497
UK & Non-UK Registered vehicles
2020-2021
2021-2022
2022-2023
PCNs Issued
322,693
1,116,029
2,005,372
unpaid after 6 months
68,113
583,199
1,245,293
unpaid after 12 months
57,087
552,250
1,204,336
written off
95,855
36,085
42,023
We do not hold information on unpaid ULEZ charges. A ULEZ charge is paid for a specific journey and can be paid in advance or up to midnight on the third charging day after the journey. If a charge is not paid a PCN will be 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,
Mary Abidakun FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
