Quick Summary
The ULEZ charge is £12.50 a day for cars, vans and motorcycles that do not meet the emissions standards. It runs 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day, across all of Greater London (not the M25). Most petrol cars from 2005 and diesel cars from September 2015 comply. Pay on TfL’s official service up to 90 days ahead or by midnight on the third day after driving, or face a £180 penalty (£90 if paid within 14 days).
London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges older, more polluting vehicles to drive anywhere inside Greater London. It is separate from the Congestion Charge, which covers only central London, and from the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges. This guide explains who pays, how to check your vehicle, every official way to pay and what it means for airport journeys.
ULEZ Charge 2026 at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Daily charge | £12.50 for non-compliant cars, motorcycles, vans and specialist vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and minibuses up to 5 tonnes |
| When | 24 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day (25 December); a charging day runs from midnight to midnight |
| Where | All London boroughs, up to the Greater London boundary; the M25 itself is not included |
| Pay by | Up to 90 days in advance, or by midnight on the third day after you drive in the zone |
| Penalty | £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days |
| Heavier vehicles | Lorries and vans over 3.5 tonnes and buses, coaches and minibuses over 5 tonnes pay the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) charge instead |
Is My Car ULEZ Compliant?
Compliance depends on your vehicle’s Euro emissions standard, not its age, but the dates below are a good guide. For newer vehicles the Euro standard is often listed in section D.2 of the log book (V5C). The quickest answer is TfL’s vehicle checker: enter your number plate and it tells you whether you need to pay.
| Vehicle | Standard Needed | Usually Compliant If |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol cars | Euro 4 | First registered from 2005 (some earlier cars also meet it) |
| Diesel cars | Euro 6 | First registered from September 2015 |
| Petrol vans and minibuses | Euro 4 | From 2006 |
| Diesel vans and minibuses | Euro 6 | From September 2015 (larger vans from September 2016) |
| Motorcycles and mopeds | Euro 3 | From 2007 |
How to Pay the ULEZ Charge
Pay only through TfL’s official system. TfL warns that unofficial websites resell the charge and may mislead you.
| Way to Pay | Good to Know |
|---|---|
| Auto Pay | Free to register; bills you automatically each month for any ULEZ, Congestion Charge, tunnel and LEZ charges you owe |
| Online | On TfL’s official Pay to drive in London service, up to 90 days ahead or by midnight on the third day after |
| TfL Pay to drive in London app | Free official app for paying, setting up Auto Pay and paying a penalty |
| Phone | TfL’s road user charging line, 0343 222 2222 |
If you also drive into central London during Congestion Charge hours, both charges apply: a non-compliant car pays £12.50 for ULEZ plus £18 for the Congestion Charge.
Discounts and Exemptions
- Blue Badge holders pay unless their vehicle meets the standards or is registered for one of TfL’s temporary grace periods for disabled drivers.
- Licensed London black cabs are exempt.
- Wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles licensed by TfL are exempt.
- Historic vehicles in the DVLA historic tax class are exempt.
- NHS patients who are clinically assessed as too ill to use public transport may be able to claim back the charge.
Full details are on TfL’s discounts and exemptions page.
ULEZ and London Airports
Heathrow (in the London Borough of Hillingdon) and London City Airport (in Newham) are inside the ULEZ, so a non-compliant car driven to either pays £12.50 for that day. Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Southend are outside Greater London, but most routes to them from London start inside the zone. With a pre-booked LondonAirport‑Taxi.com transfer you never pay the ULEZ charge yourself: road charges are included in the fare we quote, and anything not covered is agreed with you before your booking is confirmed.
Not Sure Your Car Is ULEZ Compliant?
Leave it at home. Book a fixed-fare airport taxi and the road charges are part of the fare we quote.
- Fixed fares agreed at booking
- Flight tracking on every pickup
- 60 minutes free waiting at airports
- Every London airport, 24/7
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the ULEZ charge in 2026?
The ULEZ charge is £12.50 a day for cars, motorcycles, vans and specialist vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and minibuses up to 5 tonnes that do not meet the emissions standards. Heavier vehicles pay the Low Emission Zone charge instead.
What times does the ULEZ operate?
The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day. Each charging day runs from midnight to midnight, so a journey that crosses midnight counts as two days.
How do I know if my car is ULEZ compliant?
Enter your number plate in TfL’s vehicle checker. As a guide, petrol cars meeting Euro 4 (most registered from 2005) and diesel cars meeting Euro 6 (most registered from September 2015) are compliant.
How do I pay the ULEZ charge?
Pay only through TfL: set up Auto Pay, pay online on the Pay to drive in London service, use the TfL Pay to drive in London app, or call 0343 222 2222. You can pay up to 90 days in advance or by midnight on the third day after your journey.
What is the fine for not paying the ULEZ?
A Penalty Charge Notice of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
Does the ULEZ cover Heathrow Airport?
Yes. Heathrow is in the London Borough of Hillingdon, which is inside the ULEZ, and so is London City Airport. Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Southend airports are outside Greater London.
Do I pay both ULEZ and the Congestion Charge?
Yes, if your vehicle is not compliant and you drive into central London during Congestion Charge hours. They are separate charges, so you would pay £12.50 for ULEZ and £18 for the Congestion Charge.
Do I pay the ULEZ charge in a taxi?
Not with a pre-booked LondonAirport-Taxi.com transfer. Road charges are included in the fare we quote, and if anything is not covered we agree it with you before the booking is confirmed, so there are no extra charges after you book.
