Got a Congestion Charge Ticket? Here's How to Fight and Beat It

Driving in London is stressful enough — but a surprise £180 penalty from TfL can turn a normal day into a nightmare. Often, these fines drop through your letterbox days later, leaving you confused, angry, or just plain baffled.

Was it Congestion Charge or ULEZ? Did Auto Pay fail? Did you really even enter the zone?

Good news: You don’t have to just pay. Congestion Charge PCNs can be cancelled — especially if you act fast, know your rights, and use Resolvo.

In this guide, we’ll explain what the Congestion Charge is, why you may have been fined, and how to challenge it — especially if you believe it was a mistake.

🧾 What Is the Congestion Charge?

The Congestion Charge is a daily fee for driving in central London — specifically within the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ).

Hours of operation:

• 🕒 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday

• 🕒 12pm to 6pm on weekends and bank holidays

From 2 January 2026, charges increased to:

• £18 if paid on the day or in advance

• £21 if paid within 3 days after travel

You can pay via:

• TfL’s online portal

• TfL app

• Auto Pay account (must be set up in advance)

💡 ULEZ and Congestion Charges are separate. You may need to pay both, depending on your vehicle type and where/when you travel.

👉 Check if your car is ULEZ compliant — free, instant checker

🚫 What Happens If You Don’t Pay the Charge?

If you don’t pay on time, TfL will issue a PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) of:

• £180 fine

• Reduced to £90 if you pay within 14 days

You’ll receive the PCN by post. But many people are fined unfairly — and don’t realise they can challenge it.

Common mistakes that lead to PCNs:

• You assumed Auto Pay was active, but it wasn’t

• You paid ULEZ, thinking it covered everything

• You were in a hire or lease car, and the charge wasn’t triggered

• You drove in briefly and didn’t realise you’d entered the zone

• You were dealing with an emergency, funeral, or medical event

📊 How Many People Are Fined for the Congestion Charge?

TfL issues hundreds of thousands of Congestion Charge PCNs each year. In 2024 alone, over 900,000 penalty charge notices were issued for the congestion charge.

⚠️ Common reasons:

• Forgetting to pay on time

• Confusing ULEZ with Congestion Charge

• Thinking EVs were exempt (they’re not from Dec 2025)

• Auto Pay errors or missed updates

(Source: TfL reports, 2024)

🚦 Why the Congestion Charge Exists

The Congestion Charge was introduced in 2003 to:

• Reduce gridlock and delays

• Improve air quality and reduce emissions

• Encourage walking, cycling and public transport

• Raise funds for TfL’s operations and improvements

📉 Traffic has dropped, journey times improved, and pollution reduced — but for drivers, it’s more complex than ever.

🔄 2026 Changes for EVs and Discounts

As of 25 December 2025, the Cleaner Vehicle Discount ends:

• Electric and hydrogen vehicles must now pay the Congestion Charge

• There are no vehicle-based exemptions from 2026 onwards

🎯 Note : Electric car drivers receive a 25% discount on the daily charge if registered on Auto Pay

Electric Vans, HGV and quadricycles receive a 50% discount on the daily charge if registered on AutoPay

This change aims to further reduce traffic congestion by eliminating incentives that may encourage additional vehicle use in central London.

⚠️ Why Good Drivers Still Get Fined

Even careful drivers get caught out. Here’s why:

• You thought your Auto Pay was set up, but it wasn’t

• You paid the ULEZ, thinking that covered everything (it doesn’t)

• You were using a hire or lease car, and the charge didn’t register

• You drove in late at night or during a public event when the zone rules changed

• You had a medical emergency, funeral, or unavoidable reason for entering

Pro tip: TfL may cancel fines for genuine errors — if you explain it well and provide evidence.

🧠 Can You Appeal a Congestion Charge Fine?

Yes — and many people succeed.

TfL has a formal appeal process. You can challenge your penalty if:

• You never received the original PCN

• You paid the charge, but TfL didn’t record it

• You had a valid exemption (NHS, Blue Badge, breakdown)

• You entered the zone unintentionally and left quickly

• It was a first-time offence and you’re normally compliant

• You had an emergency or critical reason to travel

📌 Under TfL’s own guidelines, they must consider:

• Valid emergencies

• First-time errors with proof

• Cases where payment was attempted or Auto Pay issues occurred

📝 How to Appeal Your Congestion Charge PCN

Appeals must be made within 28 days of receiving the PCN.

Step by step

1. Go to the TfL Penalty Portal

2. Enter your PCN number and vehicle reg

3. Fill in the online appeal form

4. Upload any supporting documents:

   • Payment confirmation (app or bank statement)

   • Auto Pay account screenshots

   • Photos of signs or confusing detours

   • Letters/emails from hospitals, breakdown firms, or employers

🕒 TfL will respond within a few weeks.

If they reject your representation, you can appeal further:

📮 Escalating to the Independent Adjudicator (London Tribunals)

If your initial representation is rejected by TfL, you have the legal right to appeal the decision to London Tribunals — an independent adjudication service.

An adjudicator will:

• Consider your case independently

• Review all evidence from you and TfL

• Make a final decision both sides must comply with

📌 You’ll be given instructions on how to appeal to London Tribunals in TfL’s rejection letter.

Appealing to London Tribunals is free and can be done online or by post. Drivers can win at this stage — especially when they show clear evidence of unfair treatment or system failure.

🤖 Don’t Know What to Say? Let Resolvo Do it for You

Writing an appeal to TfL can feel intimidating. But Resolvo makes it easy:

What Resolvo Does:

• Asks you a few quick questions

• Understands your situation (and if you’re eligible to appeal)

• Writes a professional appeal letter for you

• 100% free and takes a few minutes

Generate your Congestion Charge appeal with Resolvo — for free

💬 FAQs About London Congestion Charge Penalties

1. Is ULEZ the same as Congestion Charge? No — they’re separate. ULEZ is emissions-based. Congestion Charge is for any vehicle, even electric ones, during charge hours.

2. How much is the Congestion Charge fine in 2026? £180 — or £90 if paid within 14 days.

3. Can I appeal if I paid but TfL didn’t register it? Yes — upload your proof (bank/app receipt) and explain.

4. What if I had an emergency? TfL considers emergencies (medical, funeral, breakdown) valid appeal reasons if you provide supporting evidence.

5. Can I use Auto Pay to avoid this in future? Yes — but only if you register your vehicle in advance. Auto Pay isn’t retroactive.

6. Can I appeal after paying the fine? No — payment is considered admission. Only appeal before paying.

7. Who decides if my appeal is valid? TfL handles initial appeals. If rejected, you can escalate to London Tribunals — an independent body.

8. Will this affect my licence or credit score? No — it’s not criminal. But if you ignore it long enough, enforcement can escalate.

9. Can I appeal more than once? Yes — first to TfL, then to the independent adjudicator.

10. Is there a grace period for the Congestion Charge? No — once you enter during charge hours, the fee applies. But signs must be clear.

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