Vehicles need to meet the different emission standards for the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) based on their vehicle type, and the type of emission.

To see if your vehicle meets the standard, use our vehicle checker.

Or see which locations fall within the ULEZ zone with our postcode checker.

If you drive a vehicle that doesn't meet the ULEZ standards within the central London area and the daily charge is not paid, a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) will be issued to the registered keeper. This penalty is in addition to any Congestion Charge or Low Emission Zone penalties received.

What are the standards?

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

Euro standards - which first appeared in 1992 - are a range of emissions controls that set limits for air polluting nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) from engines. New vehicles and road vehicle engines must show that they meet these limits to be approved for sale.

The ULEZ standards are:

  • Euro 3 for motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles and quadricycles (L category)
  • Euro 4 (NOx) for petrol cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles
  • Euro 6 (NOx and PM) for diesel cars, vans and minibuses and other specialist vehicles
  • Euro VI (NOx and PM) for lorries, buses and coaches and other specialist heavy vehicles (NOx and PM)

Euro 3 became mandatory for all new motorcycles in 2007

Euro 4 became mandatory for all new cars in 2005 and light vans in 2006

Euro 6 became mandatory for all new heavy duty engines for goods vehicles and buses from January 2014, September 2015 for cars and light vans, and September 2016 for larger vans up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight.

Find out more about ULEZ emission standards, daily charges and penalty charges, plus information on how to avoid having to pay the charge for:

Your vehicle registration document (also known as the V5C) will help identify your vehicle's Euro emission standard. For newer vehicles, the Euro emission standard may be listed on the V5C in section D.2.

Questions about ULEZ?

If you need urgent advice about the ULEZ, or disagree with information supplied by our vehicle checker, you can make an enquiry and attach supporting evidence.