London congestion charge

The London congestion charge scheme was introduced in February 2003 and aims to deter unnecessary car journeys within central London.  All monies raised from the scheme are spent on London's transport facilities.

Members can access more detailed advice on this subject from our fact sheet. Click here.

When and where does the scheme operate?

Time

The scheme is in operation Monday to Friday between the hours of 7am and 6pm, excluding public holidays and the days between Christmas and New Year.

What are the boundaries of the zone?

The zone stretches from City Road in the East to Park Lane and from Marylebone Road to Elephant and Castle. A map can be seen here: Congestion Charge Map

How does the scheme operate?

The scheme requires payment to register a vehicle registration number on a database for daily travel into or within the public highway within the charging zone, or to be parked on the public highway within the zone. The only exceptions to this are residents parked in resident parking bays in their own local parking zones.

Cameras and mobile units read number plates as vehicles enter, are driven or are parked within the charging zone and match it with the database. Once the number plate is matched, showing that a charge has been paid details of the vehicle are automatically deleted off the database.

Cost

The daily charge is £10 to register on the database for each vehicle moving into, within or parked in the zone. The charge can be paid in advance or up to midnight on the day of travel inthe zone. Alternatively, the charge can be paid the next day at an increased cost of £12. The charge can be pre-paid 90 days in advance of the relevant charging day and the charge does not attract VAT. 

How to pay

The charge can be paid by cash, cheque or debit/credit card at a number of retail outlets including post offices, petrol stations and self service pay points. There is also an internet service (www.cclondon.com), telephone service (0845 900 1234) and text message service available (registration is required first, click the link for more information: text service).

Discounts and Exemptions

Exemptions

The following are exempt from the scheme and TfL does not require any registration:

• motorbikes, (and sidecars) mopeds and bicycles
• London licensed black cabs and mini cabs
• emergency service vehicles
• NHS vehicles that are exempt from vehicle excise duty
• vehicles used by disabled people that are exempt from vehicle excise duty
• disabled passenger carrying vehicles (e.g. Dial-A-Ride) that are exempt from vehicle excise duty
• public service vehicles with nine or more seats licensed as a bus

Discounts

The following receive a 100% discount from the scheme but must be registered with TfL at a charge of £10 per vehicle per annum:

• disabled people or institutions in receipt of a blue or orange badge
• accredited breakdown vehicles
• vehicles with nine or more seats
• Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles
• Greener Vehicle Discount (GVD) - Cars that emit 100g/km or less of CO₂ and that meet the Euro 5 standard for air quality. (Any car first registered with the DVLA as new on or after 1 January 2011 will be considered to meet the Euro 5 standard).

Greener Vehicle Discount (GVD)

Cars which emit 100 g/km or less CO₂ and that meet the Euro 5 standard for air quality qualify for 100% discount from Congestion Charging. Customers can check the CO₂ emissions of their car on the V5C registration document. Any car registered as new with the DVLA on or after 1 January 2011 is deemed to meet the Euro 5 standard. Some cars registered before this date will also meet the Euro 5 standard. Customers can check the eligible vehicle list on the TfL website for vehicles registered before 1 January 2011. Light commercial vehicles under 3500kg gross weight (category N1) are not eligible for greener discount. A link to access the eligible vehicle lists can be found on the TfL website.

Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles

To qualify for this discount, a vehicle must be registered with the Driver Licensing and Vehicle Agency (DVLA) and have a fuel type of ‘electric’ (this can be checked on the V5C registration document). Alternatively, it can be a ‘plug-in hybrid’ vehicle and listed on the TfL-approved list of eligible vehicles click here.

The 100g/km CO₂ discount for cars is due to be reviewed in 2012. In 2012 the Mayor will decide whether or not to consult on reducing the CO₂ level to 80g/km.

Applications for any of  these discounts can be made through the TfL website: register for discounts

Alternative Fuel Discount

Please note that the Alternative Fuel Discount closed to new registrations on 24 December 2010. However, owners of vehicles registered with TfL before that date will continue to receive a 100% discount for a two year period. The Alternative Fuel Discount will expiry on 24 December 2012.

Further information

Further information about the London Congestion charge and guidance for all members concerning penalty charge notices and fleet schemes can be found by clicking on the following links or the additional documentation at the bottom of the page.

To view our Congestion Charge Fact Sheet click here.

To view our Road Traffic Offence Guide click here.

Transport for London - www.tfl.gov.uk

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