Cars need to meet minimum emissions standards when travelling within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) or the daily charge must be paid.

Minimum emission standards

Petrol: Euro 4
Diesel: Euro 6

The ULEZ is enforced based on the declared emissions of the vehicle rather than the age. However:

  • Petrol cars that meet the ULEZ standards are generally those first registered with the DVLA after 2005, although cars that meet the standards have been available since 2001
  • Diesel cars that meet the standards are generally those first registered with the DVLA after September 2015

From 25 October 2021, ULEZ is expanding from central London to create a single, larger zone up to the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205). The North and South Circular Roads themselves are not in the zone. Find out how to prepare for the ULEZ expansion.

Charges (if ULEZ standards NOT met)

We prefer that you use a vehicle that meets the emissions standards rather than pay a daily charge.

A daily charge runs from midnight to midnight. If you drive within the ULEZ area across two days, for example before midnight and after midnight, you will have to pay two daily charges.

  • Daily ULEZ charge: £12.50
  • Penalty charge: £160 (reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days)

These are in addition to any Congestion Charge that applies. (Cars are not subject to the Low Emission Zone (LEZ).)

How to pay

  • Set up Auto Pay (£10 annual charge per vehicle). Already have Auto Pay? Then you don't need to do anything
  • Pay online
  • Download the official TfL Pay to drive in London app for free from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store
  • Pay by phone
    UK: 0343 222 2222 (TfL call charges)
    International:+44 343 222 2222
    Textphone: 020 7649 9123 (if you have impaired hearing)

Patients travelling to NHS hospital appointments may be able to get a refund for ULEZ charges. Find out more on the Discounts and exemptions page.

Your options

If your vehicle does not meet the required ULEZ standards you can:

Walk or cycle wherever possible, or use public transport

  • This includes our Night Bus services
  • We regularly clean our services using hospital grade antiviral disinfectant. Please plan ahead and travel at quiet times for more space. To help you plan a public transport journey, use the TfL journey planner.
  • If you are travelling on public transport, you must follow our safer travel guidance.

Take advantage of our fares freeze and off-peak fares

Upgrade to a second-hand vehicle that meets ULEZ standards

If you're thinking of buying a new or second-hand car, first look up its emissions in real-world driving conditions with the Mayor's Cleaner Vehicle Checker.

  • Nearly all petrol vehicles produced since 2005 meet the ULEZ standards
  • Vehicles which meet the equivalent of the Euro 4 NOx standard for petrol have been available to buy since 2001

You can find a vehicle's Euro emission standard on its vehicle registration document.

If it's not shown, you can use the date when the vehicle was first registered with the DVLA - this is in section B of the document. Then check Gov.uk's vehicle enquiry service.

Pay the daily charge

Join a car club

Go electric

  • Electric cars emit no NOx or CO2 from the tailpipe (compared to 120 g/km for the average small petrol car). More information about electric and plug-in hybrids, including advice on picking a vehicle is on the Go Ultra Low website

  • We are working with partners to develop a network of rapid charging points in London to help you charge your vehicle quickly and efficiently. More information on London's network of rapid charging points and useful tools on the Electric vehicles and charge points page.

ULEZ Car and motorcycle scrappage scheme

The ULEZ car and motorcycle scrappage scheme, funded by The Mayor of London, helps low income and disabled Londoners scrap their older, more polluting vehicles in favour of cleaner ones and promotes greener forms of transport to help clean up London's air.

See if you qualify for a discount or exemption

Questions about ULEZ?

If you need more advice about the ULEZ, you can make an enquiry.

ULEZ boundary expansion

From October 2021 the ULEZ will expand to the North and South Circular Roads. The North and South Circular Roads themselves are not in the zone. All cars within the expanded zone will need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards or pay a daily charge.