London’s ULEZ: what you need to know
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London’s ULEZ: what you need to know

London’s ULEZ: what you need to know

Some cars that are older than the introduction of emissions standards can still meet the requirements, but they need a certificate of compliance (CoC) from the manufacturer. To prove compliance, you must send a copy of the CoC and your V5 to Transport for London (TfL) to register your vehicle. Owners of certain Lotus Elise S1 models (produced from 1996-2001) have reported success with this method.

Electric cars are compliant because they do not produce tailpipe emissions.

How much does London’s ULEZ cost?

Cars and vans going over a bridge

Driving a non-compliant car within the ULEZ costs £12.50 per day. The charging period runs from midnight to midnight. For example, if you enter the ULEZ at 10pm and leave at 6am, which covers two days within the zone due to the charging period, you will have to pay £25.00.

Recent media reports indicate that TfL has been sending warning letters and waiving fines for unpaid fees since the expansion. TfL’s chief customer and strategy officer, Alex Williams, stated that the letters suggest recipients should switch to a cleaner vehicle or register for automatic payments. The discretion period for fines will last for about four weeks from the 29th August expansion.

The template for these warning letters has previously been available online through freedom of information requests.

What is the ULEZ scrappage scheme?

Blue Mk1 Vauxhall Zafira behind a crane in a scrapyard

All London residents can now apply for a £2000 payment from TfL by scrapping a car that does not comply with ULEZ standards.

To qualify for the scheme, you must live within one of the 32 London boroughs, have been the registered keeper of the vehicle since 30th January 2022 or earlier, and the vehicle must be insured, taxed, and have a valid MOT. You should provide copies of the V5 and a valid insurance certificate as evidence.

If your application is approved, you must scrap the vehicle at one of TfL’s approved treatment centers within a month. The treatment center will provide a certificate of destruction, which you must send a copy of to TfL as proof of scrappage. Do not scrap the car until TfL approves your application and instructs you to do so, as this may prevent you from receiving the payment.