Some drivers and vehicles qualify for at least a temporary 100% discount from the Ultra Low Emission Zone charge (ULEZ). Others are entirely exempt.

If none of these apply to you, you can also explore ways to meet the standard.

Vehicles for disabled people

Blue Badge holders need to pay the ULEZ charge unless their vehicle meets the ULEZ emission standards or is registered for one of the following three grace periods (temporary exemptions).

1. 'Disabled' and 'Disabled Passenger Vehicle' Tax Class grace period

Disabled people whose vehicles are registered with the DVLA as having 'disabled' or 'disabled' passenger vehicle tax class benefit from a grace period which exempts them from paying the ULEZ charge until 24 October 2027. This is valid as long as their vehicle doesn't change tax class. Read the eligibility criteria for the disabled tax class exemption.

If your 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class vehicle is registered in the UK, you don't need to register with us to benefit from the grace period. If your vehicle is registered outside the UK, you are still exempt from paying the ULEZ charge during the grace period, but you will need to register with us.

Disabled people over state pension age whose vehicle does not have 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class can apply directly to us for the grace period if they:

  • Are in receipt of Attendance Allowance AND
  • Hold a Blue Badge

From 25 October 2027 you will need to pay the daily ULEZ charge for your 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class vehicle if it does not meet the ULEZ emission standards.

2. Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) grace period

This grace period is open to wheelchair-accessible cars and vans that do not meet ULEZ emissions standards and that have been converted by mobility experts to allow a disabled person to access the vehicle as driver or passenger. To be eligible, the WAV needs to be fitted with one of the following adaptations:

  • A permanently fitted foldable ramp or a powered lift allowing the wheelchair user to enter the vehicle
  • An electric or hydraulic hoist to lift a person or wheelchair into the vehicle
  • A swivel seat on either the passenger or driver side of the vehicle
  • An accelerator ring permanently fitted to the steering wheel of the vehicle

The vehicle must be registered with the DVLA (or equivalent EEA body) in the name of the applicant. To apply for this grace period, you will need to provide images of your vehicle's logbook (V5C), a photo ID of the applicant and three images of your vehicle's permanent conversion for a disabled person's use.

You can only apply for a grace period for one WAV. Successful applicants will not need to pay the ULEZ charge for their vehicle until 25 October 2027.

3. Disabled Benefits grace period

To apply, the vehicle needs to be registered to the benefit holder (or their nominated driver) and must not meet ULEZ emissions standards. Applicants will need to receive one of the following benefits:

  • Standard or enhanced mobility rate of PIP
  • Higher mobility rate of Disability Living Allowance
  • Higher mobility rate of Child Disability Payment
  • War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Standard or enhanced rate of Adult Disability Payment (ADP)

The vehicle must be registered with the DVLA (or equivalent EEA body) in the name of the benefit holder or their nominated driver.

To apply for this grace period, you will need to provide images of your vehicle's V5C (logbook), a photo ID of the applicant and your benefit award letter (no older than 12 months).

If the vehicle is registered with the DVLA in the name of your nominated driver, you will also need to provide a letter, signed by both the benefit holder and the nominated driver, confirming that the vehicle is used solely for the personal needs of the benefit holder.

You can only apply for this grace period for one vehicle. Successful applicants will not need to pay the ULEZ charge for their vehicle until 25 October 2027.

Additional categories will soon be added to this grace period's eligibility criteria. These include categories for people with a terminal illness, those registered blind (severely sight impaired), and those with children under 3 with a medical condition which means they need bulky equipment and/or need to be near a vehicle.

If you think you may be eligible under these criteria (for your vehicle or your nominated driver's vehicle), get in touch and we will let you know when applications open.

NHS patient reimbursement

If you are clinically assessed as too ill to travel to an appointment on public transport, you may be eligible to claim back any ULEZ charge and/or Congestion Charge you paid from your treating hospital. Your hospital will tell you if you are eligible.

Taxis

London-licensed taxis are exempt from ULEZ charges. Older, more polluting taxis are subject to a 12 year age limit, with newer, cleaner taxis extended to 15 years.

All newly licensed taxis must be zero emission capable (ZEC) vehicles. Find out more about how we plan to have the cleanest taxi fleet in the world.

Minibuses used for community transport

Many not-for-profit organisations that operate minibuses used for community transport can register for a temporary 100% discount of the ULEZ charge until 26 October 2025. These are minibuses that carry passengers on a not-for-profit basis. For example, for educational, religious, social welfare reasons, or other activities that benefit the community.

Once you have registered your vehicle and your eligibility has been confirmed, you will not be charged the ULEZ charge until after the end date of the grace period on 26 October 2025. After this date, all minibuses will need to meet the ULEZ emissions standard or pay the daily ULEZ charge.

You can register your minibus now.

Check if your organisation is eligible

To apply, your organisation must be a:

  • Charity
  • School (excluding private schools)
  • Further Education institution getting funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (excluding Higher Education institutions who get this funding)
  • 16 to 19 Academy
  • Local authority
  • Other not-for-profit organisation

Check if your vehicle is eligible

The vehicle must meet these conditions:

  • Able to carry more than 8 but no more than 16 passengers and weigh 5 tonnes or less (gross vehicle weight)
  • Owned, leased or hired by a not-for-profit organisation, and used mainly for community transport
  • Owned, leased or hired on or before 25 November 2022, and continually since then
  • Does not already meet the ULEZ standards

Documents you will need

Application form

PDF 154KB

To apply, you need to download the application form, fill it in, sign it and upload. You will also need to upload copies of the required documents listed in the form.

Wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles (PHVs)

Designated wheelchair-accessible PHVs used to carry out a private hire booking will be granted a grace period until 24 October 2027, during which they will be exempt from the ULEZ daily charge.

These vehicles will only be exempt when carrying out a private hire booking for a TfL-licensed PHV operator. At all other times PHV owners will have to pay the charge if their designated wheelchair-accessible PHV does not meet the emissions standards and is not in the disabled or disabled passenger vehicle tax class.

See a list of designated wheelchair-accessible PHVs licensed by TfL on the Passengers and accessibility page.

If you believe that your vehicle should be on the list please email tph.enquiries@tfl.gov.uk.`

PHVs that do not meet the emissions standards and are not wheelchair-accessible must pay the full ULEZ charge to drive within the zone.

Historic vehicles

You can apply with the DVLA stop paying vehicle tax if your vehicle was built more than 40 years ago. This date moves forward on a 40-year rolling system. For example, when the ULEZ launched in April 2019, vehicles built before 1979 were eligible to apply for historic vehicle tax class.

All vehicles that have a historic vehicle tax class are exempt from the ULEZ. This tax class excludes any vehicle used commercially (for example, coffee vans or street food vans).

In line with the existing LEZ discount all vehicles constructed before 1 January 1973 are exempt from the ULEZ, regardless of commercial use or otherwise.

If your vehicle meets the above criteria but is registered outside the UK, it is also exempt, but you will need to register it with us before travelling in the zone.

Other exempt vehicles

A small number of vehicle types currently exempt from the LEZ are also exempt from the ULEZ charge. These include:

  • Specialist agricultural vehicles
  • Military vehicles
  • Non-road going vehicles which are allowed to drive on the highway (for example, excavators)
  • Certain types of mobile cranes

If your vehicle meets any of the above criteria and is registered in the UK, it is automatically exempt and you don't need to register with us. If your vehicle meets any of the above criteria but is registered outside the UK, it is also exempt, but you will need to register it with us. Check if you need to register.

Discount for showman's vehicles

Some showman's vehicles are eligible for a 100% discount from the ULEZ daily charge if they are registered to a person following the business of a travelling showman and have been modified or specially constructed. Trailers and semi-trailers which have been modified or specially constructed are not eligible for the 100% discount.

For a vehicle to be eligible for the discount, modifications or special constructions for the purpose of the show must be either:

  • Used during the performance, or
  • Used for the purpose of providing the performance, or
  • Used for carrying performance equipment, or
  • Used for displaying animals to the public, or
  • Below the chassis level, such that it isn't possible to fit emission abatement equipment

If your vehicle meets the above criteria, you need to register with us to qualify for the discount. (Vehicles that are already registered with TfL for a LEZ showman's discount do not need to be registered again for ULEZ). This applies to both UK and non-UK vehicles.

If you receive any other discounts or exemptions for the Congestion Charge you still need to pay the ULEZ charge if you drive within the zone in a vehicle that does not meet the ULEZ standards.