Everything You Need to Know About ULEZ — Resolvo's Guide

You're driving through London. You don't realse you've entered the ULEZ. Three days later, a £180 fine arrives in the post.

Or worse: you've been driving through the zone daily for work. That's £12.50 per day, five days a week. You've just spent £3,250 this year without even knowing the ULEZ existed.

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) now covers all of Greater London — that's over 1,500 square kilometres and 9 million people. If your car doesn't meet the emissions standards, you pay £12.50 every single day you drive in London. No warnings. No exceptions. Just automatic charges.

Here's everything you need to know about ULEZ: what it is, whether your car is compliant, how much it costs, and how to avoid getting stung.

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

📌 What Is ULEZ?

ULEZ stands for Ultra Low Emission Zone.

It's a clean-air zone that covers the whole of Greater London. If your vehicle produces too much pollution (based on its emissions standard), you must pay £12.50 per day to drive anywhere in London.

Key facts:

• Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (except Christmas Day)

• Covers all 32 London boroughs — from Enfield to Croydon, Harrow to Bromley

• Enforced by ANPR cameras (Automatic Number Plate Recognition)

• Charges are automatic — you don't get a choice, you just get billed

Started: April 2019 (central London only) Expanded: August 2023 (now covers all of Greater London)

🚦 Which Vehicles Have to Pay the ULEZ Charge?

Whether you pay depends on your vehicle's emissions standard, not its age. But generally:

Petrol Cars & Vans

You DON'T pay if: Your car meets Euro 4 emissions standard Most Euro 4 petrol cars: Registered after 2006

You DO pay if: Your petrol car was registered before 2006 (most won't meet Euro 4)

Diesel Cars & Vans

You DON'T pay if: Your car meets Euro 6 emissions standard Most Euro 6 diesel cars: Registered after September 2015

You DO pay if: Your diesel car was registered before September 2015 (most won't meet Euro 6)

Why diesel is stricter: Diesel engines produce more harmful nitrogen oxides than petrol, so they're held to a higher standard.

Motorcycles & Mopeds

You DON'T pay if: Your bike meets Euro 3 standard Most Euro 3 motorcycles: Registered after July 2007

⚠️ Compliance can’t always be judged by registration year — some older bikes may be compliant, some newer ones may not. Best to check with your reg

Larger Vehicles (Lorries, Buses, Coaches)

Must meet Euro VI standard or pay £100 per day (separate from ULEZ — this is the Low Emission Zone charge)

✅ Which Vehicles Are EXEMPT From ULEZ?

Some vehicles don't have to pay, even if they don't meet the standards:

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

• EVs are fully exempt from the ULEZ charge — they produce zero exhaust emissions.

• There are no current plans to charge EVs under ULEZ.

• However, from 2 January 2026, EVs will no longer be exempt from the Congestion Charge — a separate charge that only applies in Central London.

• There will be a 25% discount on the congestion daily charge for electric cars registered on Auto Pay

Historic Vehicles (Over 40 Years Old)

• Must be over 40 years old and registered in the “historic” tax class with DVLA

• Can’t be used commercially

Disabled Tax Class Vehicles

• If your vehicle is registered with DVLA in the “disabled” tax class, it’s exempt.

• London-Licensed Taxis

  • Black cabs licensed by TfL are exempt from ULEZ, but must meet separate emissions standards for taxis.

• Wheelchair-Accessible Private Hire Vehicles

  • If registered as wheelchair-accessible with TfL, these may be exempt.

💷 How Much Does ULEZ Cost?

Daily Charge (If Your Car Doesn't Comply)

• Cars, motorcycles, vans under 3.5 tonnes: £12.50 per day

• Larger vehicles (lorries, buses, coaches): £100 per day (separate LEZ charge)

How to Pay

• Online at TfL website

• TfL app

• By phone: 0343 222 2222

• Auto Pay (free to register your vehicle, and it charges automatically)

When to Pay You must pay the ULEZ charge by midnight on the third charging day after you drive in the zone.

📅 Example: Drive in ULEZ on Monday → You must pay by midnight Thursday.

Pro tip: “Three charging days” = Three ULEZ operating days (not necessarily three calendar days)

Annual Cost (If You Drive Daily)

If you're commuting into London five days a week in a non-compliant car, you're paying £3,250 per year just for the ULEZ charge alone.

⚠️ What Happens If You Don't Pay?

If you drive through the ULEZ without paying and your car isn't compliant, you'll receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

The Fine:

• £180 if you don't pay within 14 days

• £90 if you pay within 14 days (50% discount)

How You Get Caught:

• ANPR cameras are everywhere across London

• They automatically scan number plates

• Check against DVLA database for compliance

• Issue PCN if vehicle isn't compliant and no payment received

You won't get a warning. The first you'll know is when the £180 fine arrives in the post.

🗺️ Where Does ULEZ Apply?

ULEZ covers all of Greater London — every single London borough.

Included Areas:

All 32 London boroughs, including:

• North: Enfield, Barnet, Haringey, Waltham Forest

• East: Redbridge, Havering, Barking & Dagenham, Newham

• South:Croydon, Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, Lewisham

• West: Hillingdon, Harrow, Ealing, Hounslow

• Central: Westminster, Camden, Islington, Tower Hamlets, Southwark

Not included:

• Small pockets outside M25 (northwest, northeast, south)

• You can check the exact boundary on the TfL ULEZ map

Important: Even if you're just passing through London on the M25, if you cross into the ULEZ zone, you'll be charged.

🔍 How to Check If Your Car Is ULEZ Compliant

Option 1: Use Resolvo's Free ULEZ Checker (Recommended)

1. Enter your vehicle registration number

2. We check against DVLA database instantly

3. You get immediate answer: compliant or not compliant

4. 100% free, no registration required, completely private

👉 Check if your car is ULEZ compliant

Option 2: Check Your V5C (Logbook)

Look for "Euro Status" or "Emission Class" on your vehicle registration document.

• Petrol: Need Euro 4 or higher

• Diesel: Need Euro 6 or higher

• Motorcycle: Need Euro 3 or higher

Option 3: General Rules of Thumb

Petrol cars:

• Registered after 2006: Usually compliant ✅

• Registered before 2006 : Usually NOT compliant ❌

Diesel cars:

• Registered after September 2015 : Usually compliant ✅

• Registered before September 2015 : Usually NOT compliant ❌

But always check — some earlier models do comply, some later models don't.

Who is paying regularly:

• Occasional visitors who forget (£12.50-£50/year in charges)

• People with rare classic cars they can't part with (but drive infrequently)

• Some tradespeople with older vans who plan to upgrade "next year"

• People who genuinely can't afford to change yet (financial hardship)

💡 What to Do If Your Car Isn't ULEZ Compliant

You have several options:

Option 1: Pay the Daily Charge

If you only drive in London occasionally, just pay the £12.50 per day.

Best for: Infrequent visits (once a month or less)

Option 2: Upgrade to a Compliant Vehicle

Buy, lease, or finance a car that meets the standards.

Best for: Regular London drivers who can afford a newer car

Option 3: Use Public Transport Instead

For some people, avoiding driving in London altogether is cheaper.

Cost comparison:

• ULEZ (5 days/week): £3,250/year

• Oyster Zones 1-3 (5 days/week): £1,800/year

• Plus save on parking, insurance, fuel

Option 4: Carpool or Ride-Share

Share rides with someone who has a compliant vehicle. Split fuel costs, avoid ULEZ charge.

🔍 Common ULEZ Questions Answered

Q: Does ULEZ operate on weekends? A: Yes. It's 24/7, every single day except Christmas Day.

Q: Do I pay if I'm just driving through London on the motorway? A: If you cross into the ULEZ zone, yes. Most of the M25 is outside ULEZ, but some sections cross into it. Check the map.

Q: Can I retrofit my car to make it compliant? A: Possibly. Some vans and older cars can be retrofitted with emissions equipment. Check with a specialist — it usually costs £1,000-£5,000.

Q: What if I live in London and can't afford a compliant car? A: Apply for the scrappage scheme if you're eligible. Otherwise, you'll need to factor ULEZ into your running costs or switch to public transport.

Q: Do hybrid cars have to pay? A: Only if they don't meet Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel) standards. Most modern hybrids are compliant.

Q: What about electric cars? A: Currently exempt. But TfL is proposing to begin discounted charges for EVs from 2 January 2026 due to congestion concerns.

Q: Can I appeal a ULEZ fine? A: Yes, if you believe it was issued in error (e.g., your car IS compliant, payment system error, you were in an exempt vehicle). Use Resolvo to write your appeal.

Q: Does ULEZ apply to rental cars? A: Yes. If you rent a non-compliant car and drive in ULEZ, you're responsible for the charge. Always check compliance before renting.

Q: What if I forgot to pay? A: "You have until midnight on the third ULEZ charging day after your drive. After that, you'll get a £180 fine.We recommend setting up auto pay with TFL so that you never have to forget

📊 ULEZ Impact: The Real Trade-Off

Since ULEZ expanded to all of Greater London in August 2023, the results show both benefits and costs:

Air Quality Improvements (The Wins):

• Nitrogen dioxide levels in 2024 were 27% lower across London than they would have been without ULEZ

• 54% drop in central London NO2 levels

• Particulate matter exhaust emissions from cars and vans were 31% lower in outer London

• 95% of cars and 83% of vans now meet ULEZ standards

Health impact: Cleaner air means fewer asthma attacks in children, reduced respiratory problems in elderly, lower rates of heart disease linked to pollution.

The Financial Burden (The Losses):

For individuals:

• Families on low incomes forced to sell cars they relied on

• Small business owners facing £5,000-15,000 costs to upgrade vans

• Shift workers who can't use public transport (works night shifts, needs car)

• People with disabilities who need vehicles but can't afford compliant ones

The scrappage scheme helped some:

• £millions paid out to 50,000+ Londoners

• But maximum £2,000 doesn't cover cost of replacement compliant car (£6,000-10,000 minimum)

• Scheme ended in 2024

For outer London boroughs:

• Residents who never drove into central London now affected

• Communities like Hillingdon, Bromley, Havering feel unfairly targeted

• "We're not the pollution problem, why are we paying?"

The Controversy:

Supporters argue:

• Air pollution kills 4,000 Londoners per year

• Children growing up with damaged lungs

• NHS costs from pollution-related illness are £3.7 billion/year in London

• Climate emergency requires action

• Most people (95%) already have compliant cars

Critics argue:

• Disproportionately hurts poorest Londoners

• Outer London added to hit revenue targets, not improve air (already cleaner)

• £224 million/year revenue looks like a tax, not environmental policy

• Public transport alternatives inadequate in outer boroughs

• Should've focused on commercial vehicles (buses, lorries, taxis) first

The Honest Reality:

ULEZ has made London's air cleaner. That's measurable and significant. But it's also transferred costs from society (NHS, pollution cleanup) to individuals — particularly those who could least afford it.

Who benefited:

• Children and elderly with respiratory conditions

• Everyone breathing cleaner air (even if they don't realize it)

• Public transport operators (increased ridership)

• Compliant car dealerships (surge in sales)

Who paid the price:

• Low-income families with non-compliant cars

• Small tradespeople with older vans

• Outer London residents who rarely drove into central London

• Disabled drivers who couldn't afford upgrades

The uncomfortable truth: Environmental policies often hit the poorest hardest. Wealthier Londoners could afford to upgrade or already had newer cars. Poorer Londoners had to choose between paying daily charges they couldn't afford or losing their car entirely.

TfL argues the long-term health benefits justify short-term costs. Critics argue there were fairer ways to achieve the same goal (targeting commercial vehicles, better scrappage, slower rollout).

Both sides have valid points.

🧾 Final Thoughts

ULEZ is here to stay. It covers all of Greater London, operates 24/7, and charges £12.50 per day if your car doesn't meet emissions standards.

What you need to do:

1. Check your car NOW — Use our free checker to see if you're compliant

2. If you're not compliant:

   • Pay daily charges (if occasional visits)

   • Upgrade to compliant vehicle (if regular driver)

   • Apply for scrappage (if eligible)

   • Use public transport instead

3. Set up Auto Pay if you drive in London regularly — avoids forgetting and getting fined

4. If you get a fine unfairly — Appeal it with Resolvo

Don't wait until you get a £180 fine to find out your car isn't compliant. Check now, plan accordingly, and avoid the penalty.

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

🔧 Related Tools from Resolvo

• Petrol Prices — Find the cheapest petrol or diesel prices near you

• Journey Cost Calculator — Calculate trip fuel costs

• MPG Calculator — Work out your real fuel efficiency

• PCP Calculator - Calculate your car finance monthly payments

• HP Calculator - calculate your hire purchase finance monthly payment