Find the emission standards that vans (small and large), minibuses and some other specialist vehicles need to meet when travelling within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

Vehicles included are:

  • Small vans (weighing up to and including 1.205 tonnes unladen weight)
  • Larger vans, 4X4 light utility vehicles, motorised horseboxes, pickups (over 1.205 tonnes unladen weight up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight)
  • Ambulances and motorcaravans (2.5 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes)
  • Minibuses (more than 8 passenger seats, not over 5 tonnes)

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:

  • All new diesel vans sold from September 2016 should meet the Euro 6 standard
  • All petrol vans registered with the DVLA from January 2006 meet the Euro 4 standard

Check your vehicle registration document to see your vehicle's Euro emission standard or NOx emissions. If these are not listed then use our ULEZ vehicle checker.

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 vehicles that meet the emissions standards rather than pay a daily charge.

A daily charge runs from midnight to midnight. if you drive a vehicle that does not meet the standards within the ULEZ area across two days, for example before midnight and after midnight, you will be liable 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 or Low Emission Zone (LEZ) charge that applies. (Small vans up to and including 1.205 tonnes unladen weight are not subject to the 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)

Your options

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

Join a car club

Go electric

  • Electric vans emit no NOx or CO2 from the tailpipe. More information about electric vehicles, including a list of those eligible for a grant, in on Gov.uk's page on plug-in grants

Pay the daily charge

  • You'll be able to pay any ULEZ, LEZ and/or Congestion Charges that apply online, all at the same time

Upgrade to a vehicle that meets ULEZ standards

  • All van manufacturers now only sell vehicles that meet the emissions standards - some Euro 6 vans have also been available since 2013. Many more second-hand Euro 6 vans are coming on to the market as rental companies renew their two- to three-year-old fleets
  • If you're thinking of buying a new or second-hand vehicle, first look up its emissions in real-world driving conditions with the Mayor's Cleaner Vehicle Checker
  • Leasing a vehicle may be a more affordable way to get a vehicle that meets the emissions standards. Information on leasing is on the BVRLA website

We're also working with the top UK van manufacturers and leasing companies to encourage them to offer affordable deals on vehicles that meet the emissions standards.

Fit emissions reduction technology

The ULEZ scheme allows for some vehicles to retrofit emissions reduction technology to meet the ULEZ standards.

Retrofit technologies will need to be certified by the government's Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS). The CVRAS currently has emissions reduction technologies certified for buses, coaches and certain models of van. Equipment suppliers can advise on testing and certification of equipment.

More details on the retrofit accreditation process and suppliers are available on the Energy Savings Trust website.

Convert to Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG)

If your vehicle has been converted to run on LPG you may meet the emissions standards. However, the emissions standard of the engine will be considered to be the same as it was before it was converted.

If you have replaced the engine with a spark ignition (petrol) engine as part of an LPG conversion, the emissions standard of the new engine will apply. You must tell the DVLA of this type of engine swap and send us proof that the new engine meets the standards.

We recommend using a UK LPG-approved installer. Our LoCITY programme has an up to date map showing LPG refuelling infrastructure in and around London.

Retrofit: convert to Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG)

Converted vehicles will be treated based on the DVLA's records of its emissions standards. This means diesel vehicles should be converted to use LPG in a spark ignition engine, and the DVLA notified of the change.

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 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.

All cars, motorcycles and vans (up to and including 3.5 tonnes) and heavier vehicles, including lorries (over 3.5 tonnes) and buses/coaches (over 5 tonnes), will need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards or pay a daily charge to drive within the expanded zone.

Find out how to prepare for the ULEZ expansion.

Changes to the LEZ

LEZ emissions standards are due to become tougher for heavier diesel vehicles to match the ULEZ Euro VI standard. These vehicles will no longer need to pay a separate ULEZ charge.

These vehicles will need to meet Euro VI emissions standards within the LEZ boundary or pay a daily charge.

Find out about planned changes to the LEZ from 1 March 2021.