The ULEZ or ultra-low-emission zone is an area that covers almost all London boroughs within the M25. Older cars that aren't compliant with ULEZ emissions standards must pay a daily charge if they want to drive within the ULEZ area.
Keep reading to find out if your car is ULEZ compliant and how much it'll cost if you want to drive a non-compliant model into the UK's capital city. If you're looking to upgrade to a ULEZ-compliant model, every used car for sale at Motorpoint meets ULEZ emissions standards.
What is the London ULEZ?
The ULEZ is a scheme introduced in an effort to improve London's air quality. It aims to discourage the use of older vehicles that emit more harmful exhaust gases, in favour of newer models that have cleaner emissions. This means non-compliant cars must pay an extra daily rate to drive inside the ULEZ area.
There's a lot of evidence that shows a direct link between air quality and respiratory health. Reducing the amount of harmful emissions and greenhouse gases in the city should substantially improve the health of people that live and work within it.
What does ULEZ mean?
ULEZ stands for ultra-low-emissions zone. The name comes from the scheme's intended purpose – to reduce harmful emissions within its operating area.
ULEZ vs Congestion Charge
ULEZ is different to London’s Congestion Charge zone, and the schemes run alongside each other. So, if you drive a non-ULEZ compliant car into the Congestion Charge zone, you’ll need to pay both charges – a total of £27.50 per day.
| ULEZ | Congestion Charge | |
| Areas covered | All London Boroughs | Central London |
| When is it enforced? | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (excluding 25 December) |
|
| Cost | £12.50 per day for non-compliant vehicles; £0 for compliant vehicles | £15 per day if you enter within the times specified; you must pay even if your car is ULEZ compliant |
2023 ULEZ expansion
The ULEZ first came into effect in April 2019 and only applied to Central London – the same area as the congestion charge. From 29 August 2023, however, the ULEZ was substantially expanded to include almost all boroughs within the M25 ring road.
That means locations including Enfield, Havering, Bromley, Croydon, Hounslow and Hillingdon are all now part of the ULEZ area.
What cars are ULEZ compliant?
ULEZ rules mean your vehicle's compliance depends on what emissions standards it meets. Emissions standards have been toughened up over time, starting at Euro 1, then Euro 2 and so on up to the current Euro 6 standards, with each level requiring an even greater reduction in harmful exhaust emissions.
ULEZ compliance requires different Euro emissions levels depending on what fuel type your car uses:
| Fuel type | Euro level required for ULEZ compliance |
| Petrol (including hybrids) | Euro 4 (all models from Jan 2006 onwards) |
| Diesel (including hybrids) | Euro 6 (all models from Sept 2015 onwards) |
| Electric | All EVs are ULEZ compliant |
Are diesel cars ULEZ compliant?
Newer diesels that meet Euro 6 emissions standards comply with ULEZ rules and won't have to pay the daily charge to enter the zone. Euro 6 standards became mandatory for all new cars registered from September 2015 onwards, but some diesel models built before this date will also be compliant.
Are petrol cars ULEZ compliant?
Most petrol cars are ULEZ compliant. That's because the emissions standards required for petrols to enter the ULEZ area aren't as strict as diesels – petrols only need to meet Euro 4 while diesels must meet newer Euro 6 rules. Euro 4 became mandatory for all new cars from January 2006 onwards, so only older petrol cars from the early 2000s and before have to pay to enter the ULEZ.
How to check if a car is ULEZ compliant
You can use Transport for London's official service to check if a vehicle is ULEZ compliant. Simply enter your car's registration plate and it'll let you know whether you need to pay the daily charge. This service will also check whether you need to pay the Congestion Charge for Central London.
How much is the ULEZ charge?
If your car doesn't meet ULEZ requirements, you'll have to pay a charge for every day you want to drive within the zone. The price is currently £12.50 per day.
A day is midnight to midnight, so if you drive into a ULEZ area just before midnight and out of it just after, you will need to pay for two days.
How to pay the ULEZ charge?
The easiest way to pay the ULEZ charge is directly through Transport for London's website. You can also pay the Congestion Charge for entering Central London using the same service.
Alternatively, you can call TfL on 0343 222 2222 (charges apply) and follow the spoken instructions.
What cars are exempt from ULEZ?
As covered above, most newer cars are exempt from paying the ULEZ charge. All petrol cars registered from January 2006 onwards and all diesel cars from September 2015 onwards are automatically exempt because they meet the required emissions standards.
There are still a handful of exemptions for non-compliant cars. People who have registered their vehicle with the DVLA as either 'disabled' or a 'disabled passenger vehicle' will be exempt from the ULEZ charge until 24 September 2027. This also applies to vehicles that have been converted for wheelchair use, as long as the DVLA is aware of the conversion.
Are classic cars ULEZ exempt?
If your vehicle was registered before January 1973, then it's automatically exempt from the ULEZ charge. This exemption also applies to vehicles that are more than 40 years old that have been registered as historic vehicles with the DVLA.
Are blue-badge holders ULEZ exempt?
Blue badge holders are not automatically exempt from paying the ULEZ charge if their vehicle doesn't meet the required emissions standards. Only those who have actually registered their vehicle as either 'disabled' or a 'disabled passenger vehicle' with the DVLA are exempt from the ULEZ charge.
Is there a ULEZ scrappage scheme?
Not any more – the scrappage scheme closed on 8 September 2024.
Before this date, you could apply for a grant if you lived within the ULEZ area and had a car that doesn't meet ULEZ restrictions. The grant could be used towards scrapping your old car (or donating it to Ukraine) and replacing it with a compliant one, or it could be put towards public transport costs. The grant offered up to £2,000 in exchange for a non-compliant vehicle, or a reduced figure alongside an annual bus and tram pass.
How does the ULEZ scrappage scheme work?
You needed to live within the ULEZ area and own a vehicle that doesn't meet the emissions restrictions. The vehicle you were scrapping must've been registered to you at your London address since 30 January 2022 or before. It also needed valid insurance, road tax and MOT. If your application was successful, you will have received up to £2,000 to put towards a compliant car.
ULEZ enforcement
ULEZ compliance is enforced by a network of cameras and ANPR number plate scanners.
If you drive into a ULEZ area in a vehicle that doesn’t meet the emissions regulations, you have three days to pay the £12.50 ULEZ charge. Fail to do that and you’ll receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) in the post.
The PCN costs £180, reduced to £90 if you pay within 14 days. If the fine isn’t paid or challenged within 28 days, it rises to £270 – and you have 14 days to pay this.
Then, you’ll be sent an Order for Recovery, which includes a debt registration fee. If you ignore all of this, TfL will send enforcement agents (bailiffs) to the address of the car’s registered keeper.
Need a ULEZ-compliant car?
All used cars for sale at Motorpoint are ULEZ compliant. If you need to drive into London on a tight budget, check out our picks for the best ULEZ cars under £10,000. Or, if you're ready to say goodbye to exhaust emissions for good, take a look at our range of electric cars.
