Congestion Charge vs ULEZ vs Clean Air Zones: What's the Difference?

Summary

• Congestion Charge: £15/day to drive in central London. Applies to ALL vehicles (even EVs pay).
• ULEZ: £12.50/day if your car doesn't meet emission standards. Covers all of Greater London.
• Clean Air Zones: Similar to ULEZ but in other UK cities. Charges vary. Check with our ULEZ checker.

If you drive in a UK city, you might face charges. But which one applies to you? They're all different, and mixing them up can get expensive.

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London Congestion Charge

This is a charge for driving in central London, regardless of your car's emissions:

• Cost: £15 per day
• Area: Central London (zone 1, roughly)
• Hours: 7am–6pm, Monday to Friday. 12pm–6pm weekends and bank holidays.
• Who pays: Everyone, including electric cars (although EVs used to be exempt, this ended in December 2025).
• How to pay: Online at tfl.gov.uk or by phone. Pay by midnight the same day.

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Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

ULEZ is about emissions, not congestion:

• Cost: £12.50 per day for non-compliant cars, vans, and motorcycles
• Area: All of Greater London (since August 2023)
• Hours: 24/7, every day of the year
• Who pays: Only vehicles that don't meet the emission standards

ULEZ Emission Standards

Fuel Type	Minimum Standard	Generally Compliant If...
Petrol	Euro 4	Registered after 2005
Diesel	Euro 6	Registered after September 2015
Electric	Always exempt	All EVs are compliant

Check your car with our free ULEZ checker.

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Clean Air Zones Outside London

Several UK cities have their own Clean Air Zones (CAZs):

• Birmingham: £8/day for non-compliant cars
• Bath: Higher-polluting vehicles only (no charge for cars currently)
• Bradford: £8/day for non-compliant cars
• Bristol: £9/day
• Sheffield: Targeting taxis and buses initially

More cities are planning CAZs. Read our full clean air zones guide for the latest list.

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Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Congestion Charge	ULEZ	Clean Air Zone
Based on	Traffic reduction	Emissions	Emissions
Location	Central London only	All Greater London	Various UK cities
Daily charge	£15	£12.50	£8–£50 (varies)
EVs exempt?	No (since 2025)	Yes	Yes (in most zones)

If you drive into central London, you could pay both the Congestion Charge (£15) AND the ULEZ charge (£12.50) — that's £27.50 in one day.

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How to Avoid These Charges

There are several legal ways to reduce or avoid paying:

• Drive an EV: Electric cars are exempt from ULEZ and most Clean Air Zones.
• Travel outside charging hours: The Congestion Charge only applies at set times.
• Use public transport: The Tube, buses, and trains avoid all driving charges.
• Check exemptions: Blue Badge holders, motorcycles, and some vehicles may qualify for a discount or exemption.

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What Happens If You Don't Pay?

If you don't pay on time, penalties are steep:

• Congestion Charge: £160 Penalty Charge Notice (reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days).
• ULEZ: £180 Penalty Charge Notice (reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days).
• Clean Air Zones: Penalties vary by city, typically £60–£120.

Cameras read number plates automatically. You cannot avoid detection.

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