London ULEZ 2026: £12.50 Daily Charge, Zone Boundary, Compliance and Scrappage

Last reviewed: 30 April 2026  |  Sources: Transport for London (TfL) — Ultra Low Emission Zone | Mayor of London ULEZ guidance | GOV.UK

ULEZ vs the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ)

London operates two overlapping emission charging schemes. The ULEZ applies to lighter vehicles — cars, motorcycles, vans up to 3.5 tonnes and minibuses up to 5 tonnes. The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) applies to heavier vehicles — HGVs, buses, coaches and larger vans — and has been in operation since 2008. The LEZ covers a slightly larger area than the ULEZ. If you drive a car or small van, the ULEZ is the relevant scheme. If you drive a lorry or bus, check both.

ULEZ zone boundary

Since August 2023, the ULEZ covers all 33 London boroughs. The outer boundary broadly follows the M25 corridor but is not the M25 itself — roads on and inside the M25 are outside the ULEZ. The boundary is enforced by ANPR cameras at key entry points. A detailed boundary map is available at tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone.

Driving on the M25 itself does not trigger ULEZ charges. Leaving the M25 to enter the borough road network does — check your specific route using the TfL journey planner.

Compliance standards

How to check and pay

Check your vehicle at tfl.gov.uk/check-your-vehicle or via the GOV.UK ULEZ checker. Payment is at tfl.gov.uk — you can pay for the current day, previous days (up to 90 days back) or future days in advance. Auto Pay is available for regular London drivers — your vehicle is detected automatically and charged each day you drive in the zone without needing manual payment.

Scrappage and retrofit grants

TfL has committed significant scrappage funding since the ULEZ's inner-London launch. Grants of £2,000 for scrapping a non-compliant car and £1,000 for motorcycles have been available for qualifying London residents. Check tfl.gov.uk/scrappage for current availability — schemes open and close based on funding. Some boroughs have supplemented TfL grants with additional local authority funding.

Frequently asked questions

Does the ULEZ apply on the North/South Circular roads?

The ULEZ expanded beyond the North/South Circular in August 2023 to cover all London boroughs. Driving on the North or South Circular roads now falls within the ULEZ boundary — unlike the pre-2023 zone which used those roads as its outer limit.

What is the penalty for driving in the ULEZ without paying?

A PCN of £180, automatically reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. The original £12.50 charge is also still owed. Persistent non-payment can result in court action and debt collection.

I live in London — am I exempt?

No. There is no London resident exemption from the ULEZ charge. All non-compliant vehicles pay £12.50/day regardless of where the registered keeper lives.

Do I pay ULEZ and Congestion Charge on the same day?

Possibly — they are separate schemes. The Congestion Charge applies within the central London zone (roughly the area inside the Inner Ring Road) during charging hours. The ULEZ applies across all boroughs 24/7. If you drive into the Congestion Charge zone, you pay both charges separately. Electric vehicles are exempt from the ULEZ but may still pay the Congestion Charge depending on their category.

Does ULEZ apply to foreign-registered vehicles?

Yes — all vehicles driving in the ULEZ zone are subject to the charge regardless of where they are registered. Foreign-registered non-compliant vehicles must pay. TfL enforces against foreign plates through international debt recovery processes.