Emissions
Table showing the different charges for London and their applicability to vehicles over 30 years old
The London Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) is now in force as of the 8th April 2019
The existing London T charge ceased to be in effect on 5th April 2019
The London Congestion Charge will remain in force
There are a number of different charges one needs to consider before taking a historic vehicle (by which we mean the accepted international definition of a vehicle over 30 years of age into London.
The table below summarises the position.
This page does not deal with possible discounts that may be available to residents or disabled people or to vehicles which have been adapted to meet the various emission standards:
| Congestion Charge | London ULEZ | Greater London LEZ | |
| Area covered | Central Area; approx. Marylebone, Westminster, City, Southwark) | Central Area; approx. Marylebone, Westminster, City, Southwark) | Approx. Inside M25 |
| Times operational | 07:00 to 18:00 weekdays | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Dates operational | Now | Now | Now |
| Vehicles subject to charge | Cars and trucks | All vehicles not meeting defined emissions standards unless specifically exempted | Diesel vans/pickups, diesel minibuses, and all lorries and buses regardless of fuel type |
| Vehicles exempt | Motorbikes and buses (the latter need to register) | Vehicles in historic VED class or vehicles manufactured before 1973 | Motorbikes and cars, petrol/gas vans/pickups/minibuses and vehicles manufactured before 1973 |
| Charge per day | £11.50 | Cars, motorbikes vans and minibuses £12.50 Lorries and buses £100 | Vans and minibuses £100 Lorries and buses £200 |
NOTE 1
It is the vehicle type and not its use which matters, e.g. a preserved bus is treated the same as a bus or coach carrying a full load of paying people.
A preserved taxi which is no longer registered with the licensing authorities (London or outside) counts as a car of the relevant age.
NOTE 2
The charges apply cumulatively – i.e. if a vehicle built in 1980s is to be driven from Marylebone to Southwark on a Friday lunchtime in May 2019 it will need to pay the congestion charge if appropriate, the ULEZ charge, and the LEZ charge if appropriate, so the totals due are as follows:
NOTE 3
Some commercials from the mid-1970s which are exempt from the ULEZ are not exempt from the LEZ and they will still need to pay the LEZ charge even if used just in the central zone.
NOTE 4
There is a concession for what are defined as “private minibuses” – this ONLY applies to minibuses that operate under a voluntary/community group permit and NOT a vehicle owned by a private preservationist.
The above is the Federation’s understanding of the position but drivers and vehicle owners are urged to refer to the TFL website to confirm the correct position for their vehicle. It is much simpler to resolve issues in advance rather than after the event.
Foreign historic vehicles which would, if registered in the UK qualify for the historic VED class (i.e. over 40 years old) are entitled to exemption but need to register with TfL to claim exemption.
A number of changes come into force on 26th October 2020.
- LEZ emissions standards increase. Larger vehicles become subject to two different levels of charge; £100 if they meet Euro IV or V but not Euro VI and £300 if they do not meet Euro IV. This will affect a number of vehicles from the 1980s which have been successfully adapted to comply with Euro IV but which could not be further adapted for Euro VI – these vehicles will nevertheless benefit from the lower charge assuming emissions certification to Euro IV remains current.
- Petrol vans/pickups/minibuses come into the scope of the LEZ.
From 25th October 2021 the ULEZ boundary increases, to cover “inner London” as defined as the roads within, but not including, the North Circular Road and South Circular Road (A406 and A205).
This page will be updated to reflect the above changes and any others which may occur.
