ULEZ stands for "Ultra Low Emission Zone" and refers to an area where drivers face fines if they enter in a vehicle deemed to be high-polluting. It is part of the UK government's overall effort to improve air quality in the capital by eliminating the worst emissions, including NOx and various types of particulate matter. In this post, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the ULEZ initiative.
F&Q'S
What are the current ULEZ zones?
Initially, only central London was given the ULEZ designation, but on August 29, 2023 the ULEZ designation was expanded to cover all of Greater London.
How is ULEZ enforced?
Those who believe the government would have no way to enforce such an all-encompassing mandate should think again. ULEZ is not enforced by boots on the ground but instead by a system of cameras linked to ultra-high-tech, AI-enabled algorithms that scan your license plate and automatically reference billions of bits of data to determine if your vehicle is compliant or non-compliant.
How much is the fine for being non-compliant?
If your vehicle is determined to be non-compliant you will be assessed a fine (euphemistically called a “charge”) of £12.50 for every day you spend in the ULEZ zone. You will have 21 days from the day of assessment to pay each individual fine. However, you have the option of prepaying the fine before entering the ULEZ zone.
If I enter and exit the ULEZ multiple times in a single day will I be charged £12.50 for each entry?
No. The £12.50 charge is only applied once for each calendar day. So if your business takes you in and out of Greater London several times during the course of a single day your total ULEZ fine will remain £12.50.
What happens if I don’t pay the fine?
Failing to pay the ULEZ fine will result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £180. Failing to pay the PCN within 28 days of receiving it will increase the penalty from £180 to anywhere from £240 to £1,500, depending on the size of your vehicle.
Continuing to ignore or refusing to pay the initial fine plus PCN will result in Transport for London (TfL) registering your charge to the Traffic Enforcement Centre as an unpaid debt.
Continued refusal to pay will result in an Order of Recovery being issued and penalties continuing to increase. Ultimately, refusing to pay will result in your debt being passed on to debt enforcement agents.
What makes a vehicle ULEZ-compliant?
For a vehicle to be ULEZ-compliant it must meet Euro 4 emissions standards if it is a petrol-powered vehicle and Euro 6 emissions standards if it is a diesel-powered vehicle. Electric vehicles are automatically considered ULEZ-compliant as long as they can be driven at least 20 miles on a single charge.
Isn't the whole system unfair in that the fine will hurt low-income residents more than rich ones?
This is a valid concern and one that has been raised on multiple occasions by critics of the system. Indeed, for the well-to-do a £12.50 fine is a mere drop in the bucket, while it may present a problem for those living from month to month. In response to such criticism advocates of the programme emphasize that ULEZ should make for a healthier environment for everyone, regardless of their economic status.
Is my vehicle ULEZ-compliant?
The good news is that more than 95% of passenger vehicles currently registered in Greater London are already ULEZ compliant. In fact, nearly all petrol-powered vehicles manufactured since 2006 will automatically comply with ULEZ standards. The same can also be said for most diesel-powered vehicles manufactured since 2016.
Are there any exemptions to ULEZ standards?
If your car is more than 40 years old you may obtain an exemption from ULEZ requirements. That is 40 years from the year in which you file for the exemption. So for a car to be exempt by age in 2024 it would need to have been manufactured in 1984 or earlier.
Additional exemption may be granted for commercial vehicles like food trucks if they are more than 50 years old, as well as for military and other specialist vehicles. Finally, taxis registered for use in London are also exempt.
How do I pay the ULEZ charge?
The ULEZ fine can be paid either online, by phone or by using the Transport for London mobile app. If you travel regularly to London with a non-compliant vehicle you can register to autopay the fine prior for the days you plan to enter the capital.
Do London residents have to comply with ULEZ regulations?
Yes. ULEZ applies to everyone who operates a vehicle in Greater London with the only exemptions being those discussed above.
If I am ULEZ-compliant will I be exempt from having to pay the congestion charge?
If your vehicle is not exempt from the congestion charge and you enter a congestion zone you will still be required to pay the congestion charge regardless of whether your vehicle is ULEZ-compliant. Vehicles that are exempt from the congestion charge include:
•Roadside assistance vehicles
•Vehicles containing 9 or more seats
•Blue Badge holders
•Electric vehicles
•Accredited breakdown vehicles
•Vehicles that emit less than 75g/km of CO2
•Certain motorised tricycles
How can I upgrade my vehicle to make it ULEZ-compliant?
If your vehicle is not currently either ULEZ-compliant or exempt it is possible to retrofit it with technology that will bring it into line. However - and this is a big however - upgrading a vehicle can be a very expensive process. In most cases, it will be more practical and cost-effective for you to sell the non-compliant vehicle (perhaps to someone who does not travel much to London) and then use the proceeds to purchase a compliant vehicle.
Can I claim tax relief on the ULEZ charge?
If you are a self-employed driver who had to pay the ULEZ charge for a journey that was purely for the purposes of trade, you can claim tax relief. Try the Pie mobile app today if you’re looking for an easy way to track all kinds of tax deductible expenses – including ULEZ charges. Our app also contains a mileage tracker which lets you easily manage this work expense on the go. View pricing information (and learn about our 60-day free trial) here: https://www.pie.tax/pricing.
