Driving restrictions in London
London applies the Congestion Charge and ULEZ with different areas and criteria; cameras automatically read number plates.
Practical tip: With a non-UK plate, also check TfL’s procedure for registering the vehicle and documenting emissions. Check charges along your route, not just ULEZ and the Congestion Charge: TfL also lists LEZ and Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges. With a hire car, ask who pays: “ULEZ compliant” does not mean “all charges included”.
Advice sources: TfL · Vehicle registration · TfL · Vehicle checker
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London has two charges: Congestion Charge (£18/day in the centre) and ULEZ (£12.50 for non-compliant vehicles). Both are paid online.
Where the rules apply
- ULEZ — all Greater London· ONS / OGL
- Congestion Charge — central zone· OpenStreetMap
Boundaries from official open data, simplified for page speed. For the exact legal limit use the official site linked below.
- Cost:
- £18 per day
- When:
- Mon–Fri 7am–6pm · Sat–Sun noon–6pm
- Where:
- Central London: the City, West End, Westminster
- Fine:
- £180 (£90 if paid within 14 days)
How it works: Pay online or via Auto Pay on the Transport for London site by 11:59pm on the third day after travel. Cameras read the plate: there are no barriers.
Official site- Cost:
- £12.50 per day if non-compliant
- When:
- 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day
- Where:
- All of Greater London, out to the M25 boundary
- Fine:
- £180 (£90 if paid within 14 days)
How it works: Check the plate on the official TfL checker: Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel cars pay nothing. UK hire cars are nearly always compliant.
Official siteFrequently asked questions
What should I know about driving restrictions in London?
London applies the Congestion Charge and ULEZ with different areas and criteria; cameras automatically read number plates.
How do I choose driving restrictions in London?
Check both rules separately: ULEZ compliance does not exempt you from the Congestion Charge.
What should I check before going?
With a non-UK plate, also check TfL’s procedure for registering the vehicle and documenting emissions. Check charges along your route, not just ULEZ and the Congestion Charge: TfL also lists LEZ and Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges. With a hire car, ask who pays: “ULEZ compliant” does not mean “all charges included”.