City driving charges: ULEZ, CAZ and congestion

If you drive in a UK city, you may face daily charges for entering low-emission zones. London's ULEZ and Congestion Charge are the largest schemes, but several other cities now have Clean Air Zones (CAZ) that affect drivers and van users. This guide explains what these charges are, where they apply, what you'll pay, and how to avoid surprise penalties.

London's ULEZ — the Ultra Low Emission Zone

The Ultra Low Emission Zone covers all of Greater London, including every London borough and the City of London. Unlike the central Congestion Charge, ULEZ runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If your car, van, or motorcycle does not meet the required emission standard, you pay £12.50 daily to drive anywhere in this zone — from outer suburbs to the centre.

Which vehicles must pay ULEZ?

Your vehicle must meet Euro 4 standards if it runs on petrol, or Euro 6 if it is diesel. Most modern cars from roughly 2005 onwards meet these standards. Older cars, used imports, and some vans built before 2015 often don't. Electric vehicles are fully exempt from ULEZ at no time limit.

You cannot rely on a car's age or registration date alone. The only way to know for certain is to check your specific registration number with Transport for London (TfL).

How to pay ULEZ

You can pay up to 90 days in advance or within 3 days of travel. The fastest way is online via TfL's website. You can also set up Auto Pay, which charges you automatically each month and helps avoid penalties.

• Online payment: visit tfl.gov.uk and enter your registration
• Auto Pay: register at tfl.gov.uk to pay automatically each month
• Phone: call TfL's payment service
• By post: available but slower — only use if you cannot pay online

London's Congestion Charge — central zone only

The Congestion Charge is separate from ULEZ and applies only to central London's Congestion Charge Zone, which covers roughly 1.3 square miles. From Kings Cross in the north to Vauxhall in the south, and Paddington in the west to Whitechapel in the east, you pay £18 if you pay on or before the day of travel, or £21 if you pay by midnight on the third day after travel.

When does the Congestion Charge apply?

The charge applies Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, and Saturday to Sunday and bank holidays from 12pm to 6pm. You pay once per day regardless of how many times you enter or exit the zone. Motorcycles are exempt.

Can you pay both ULEZ and Congestion Charge?

Yes. If your car is non-compliant and you drive into central London during charging hours, you owe both charges. A non-compliant diesel car entering central London on a weekday afternoon faces £12.50 (ULEZ) plus £18 (Congestion Charge) — a total of £30.50 for that day.

Clean Air Zones (CAZ) in other UK cities

Beyond London, several major cities charge drivers of non-compliant vehicles. These are called Clean Air Zones or Low Emission Zones. They operate 24 hours a day and are enforced by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, just like London's schemes.

Which cities have CAZ charges?

Seven English cities currently operate Clean Air Zones: Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield, and Tyneside (Newcastle and Gateshead). Each has different rules. Some charge only commercial vehicles (taxis, vans, lorries) while others charge all non-compliant cars.

• Birmingham: Class D zone — charges all non-compliant vehicles, including private cars, £8 to £50 daily
• Bristol: Class D zone — charges non-compliant private cars and all commercial vehicles
• Sheffield: Class C zone — charges taxis, vans, buses and lorries only, not private cars. Charges are £10 for vans/taxis and £50 for buses/lorries
• Bath, Bradford, Portsmouth: Class B or C zones — private cars exempt; charges apply to taxis, vans and lorries only

Electric vehicles and motorcycles are exempt from CAZ charges in all cities. Hybrid vehicles must still meet emissions standards for their petrol or diesel engine.

How to check if you must pay CAZ

Use the official GOV.UK Clean Air Zone vehicle checker (drive-clean-air-zone.service.gov.uk). Enter your registration number and it will tell you instantly whether charges apply and how much. This is the only reliable way to know your liability.

For London's ULEZ and Congestion Charge, use TfL's checker at tfl.gov.uk instead — GOV.UK's tool does not cover London.

Paying CAZ charges

You must pay within 6 days after driving into a Clean Air Zone (or by the sixth day after travel, depending on the city). Pay online via the GOV.UK Clean Air Zone portal or contact the local authority. If you miss the deadline, you will receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for around £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days, plus the original unpaid charge.

How fines are caught and issued

Both ULEZ, Congestion Charge, and CAZ zones are monitored by ANPR cameras at entry points and throughout the zone. These cameras read your number plate and automatically flag non-payment. You will not know immediately. Instead, the vehicle keeper (usually the registered owner) receives a Penalty Charge Notice by post.

If you are driving a hire car or someone else's vehicle, the notice goes to the registered owner, who may then pass the fine to you plus an administration fee. Rental companies often charge extra for this.

ULEZ penalties

Failure to pay ULEZ by midnight on the third day after travel results in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £180. If you pay within 14 days, the penalty is reduced to £90. If you don't pay and ignore the notice, TfL can escalate enforcement.

Congestion Charge penalties

The deadline for Congestion Charge payment is also midnight on the third day after travel. If you miss this, TfL issues a PCN of £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days. After 28 days of non-payment, the penalty can increase to £240 or more.

Practical tips to avoid charges and fines

• Check your vehicle before any trip — use TfL's checker for London, GOV.UK's checker for other cities
• Know the zone boundaries — look at online maps and watch for road signs
• Pay early or set Auto Pay — avoid the rush on day 3 and reduce your stress
• Keep payment confirmations — screenshot or print proof of payment in case of a dispute
• If you hire a car, ask the rental company whether it is ULEZ and CAZ compliant, and check the registration yourself on arrival
• Plan your route to avoid zones if possible, especially if your vehicle is non-compliant
• If you receive a PCN and believe it is wrong, appeal within 14 days to TfL or the local authority — many drivers successfully challenge unfair notices

Common questions

Do I have to pay if I'm just passing through?

Yes. If your vehicle enters the zone during charging hours or if it is subject to ULEZ, you pay. Entering even briefly triggers the charge. You cannot avoid it by driving slowly or using backroads — ANPR cameras track entry and the zone boundaries are fixed.

What if I dispute a fine?

You have 28 days from the date of the PCN to respond. For London, submit representations online or by post to the address on your notice. For CAZ cities, contact the local authority. Common grounds for appeal include camera errors, genuine exemption (not applied), or proof of prior payment.

Can I get an exemption or discount?

Certain groups qualify for exemptions or discounts, including disabled persons with a registered vehicle, NHS workers in some cases, and residents in specific areas. Check with TfL (for London) or your local council (for CAZ cities) to see if you qualify. You must register to claim any discount.