With the recent changes to London’s City Congestion Charge zone, we break down the recent updates, where the map is placed, what vehicles are affected, eligibility for exemptions and the possible implications of penalties.
The London congestion charge applies to certain vehicles, & also excludes certain ones too. These include:
Check your vehicle eligibility below.
Under the ULEZ expansion in central London, a larger congestion charge zone map has been created. The zone runs across North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205). However, the North and South Circular Roads are not included in the zone.
To see if you’re impacted by the congestion zone, you check your postcode by entering a street name, area or landmark in the search box to see its location in relation to the charging zones. Use the postcode search instead to see if an address is inside or outside the zones.
From October 2021, Electric vehicles and other Zero emission vehicles have been exempt from the Congestion zone charges – Under the new clean vehicle discount.
London taxis registered with the TPH are exempt, as are recovery and other specialist/emergency vehicles.
However, from 2025 those with zero-emission vehicles will also be charged to enter and drive across the congestion zone.
Certain exemptions still stand, such as the national exemptions listed below.
The daily congestion charge to drive in London is £15 per day. The London congestion charge only has to be paid daily, allowing patrons to drive across the congestion charge zone repeatedly without the risk of a further penalty.
The charge can be paid online, with the option for next day advanced payment.
By choosing next-day payment, you will be eligible to pay an extra £3.50 to the total charge, totalling £17.50.
If payment hasn’t been made by midnight the next day, a penalty charge notice (PCN) will be given at £160. However, if this is paid within 2 weeks, you will only be required to pay £80.
Certain grants and funding were available to residents and businesses across the London congestion zone.
Certain discounts and funding support have been made available, although there are limitations.
For example, those with zero-emission vehicles are not required to pay a fee. This applies to any other vehicle that meets Euro 6 emission standards and has a minimum of 20 miles of electric range.
There are discounted passes also available for regular motorists.
The introduction of a permanent congestion charge zone, which has been extended to include weekends, has led many motorists to question whether it is viable to continue using their high emission petrol or diesel vehicles in London.
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By checking your postcode, your vehicle and paying the initial congestion charge if eligible, you can remove any unnecessary legal implications.
The Congestion Zone Charge has been reverted to normal scheme times, although will now also include weekends.
The zone was extended on 22 June 2021 to cover a similar area used in the ULEZ.
The congestion zone charge area will now follow suit with the ULEZ and will now run from North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205).
You can see whether your postcode falls under the congestion charge zone via the Transport of London’s postcode checker.
There are a few exemptions for certain vehicles & individuals. These include:
If you own an electric vehicle with zero emissions, you would not have to pay a charge.
If you are a Blue Badge Holder, you would not have to pay a congestion charge if you register your vehicle with Transport of London.
Other vehicles include breakdown recovery vehicles, motorcycles & vehicles with more than 9 seats.
View further vehicles exceptions here.
The congestion charge in London should be paid the same day, at a rate of £15, otherwise for an additional £3.50, you can pay the next day.
You can pay online here.
If your vehicle does not meet low emissions standards and poses a repeated issue of paying a daily congestion zone charge in London, you can remove your car as a better option.
Our team at Scrap Local can provide a reliable & convenient scrap car removal service across London, with our network of car breakers who buy scrap cars, at the best possible price, on hand to help you find vehicle recycling easy.
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