Driving in London in 2026 is one of the most expensive motoring environments in the world, with daily charges for non-compliant vehicles reaching 27.50 GBP when both the Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges apply simultaneously. Understanding which charges apply, which vehicles are exempt and how to minimise costs is essential for any London driver.
Daily Driving Charges in London 2026
The Congestion Charge applies to driving within the Congestion Charge zone in central London, covering an area roughly bounded by Edgware Road, Park Lane, Vauxhall Bridge Road and London Bridge. The charge is 15 GBP per day for vehicles driving within the zone between 07:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday, and 12.50 GBP on weekends and public holidays.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) covers the entirety of Greater London 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and public holidays. The ULEZ charge is 12.50 GBP per day for non-compliant cars, motorcycles and vans, and 300 GBP per day for larger vehicles. Driving a non-compliant car in both the Congestion Charge zone and ULEZ on a weekday can therefore cost 27.50 GBP per day.
Which Vehicles Are Exempt
Pure electric vehicles are exempt from both the Congestion Charge (100 percent discount) and ULEZ (always compliant), making them the most cost-effective choice for regular London drivers. Registered wheelchair-accessible vehicles and emergency service vehicles are also exempt from both charges.
For ULEZ specifically, petrol cars registered from September 2015 onwards (meeting Euro 4 standards) are compliant and exempt. Diesel cars must have been registered from April 2018 onwards (meeting Euro 6 standards for NOx emissions) to be ULEZ compliant. Most diesel cars registered before April 2018 are non-compliant and pay 12.50 GBP per day.
How to Check Your Vehicle
Transport for London's online vehicle checker at tfl.gov.uk/ulez allows drivers to enter their vehicle registration and immediately confirm whether the vehicle is ULEZ compliant and Congestion Charge eligible. This should be the first step for any London driver uncertain about their vehicle's status. The V5C registration document also shows the vehicle's first registration date, which can indicate Euro standard compliance.
Congestion Charge Auto Pay Subscription
Drivers who regularly travel into the Congestion Charge zone can save significantly by subscribing to Auto Pay, which costs 135 GBP annually rather than the 15 GBP daily charge multiplied by 12 months. This effectively allows unlimited entries for 135 GBP per year, compared to 3,750 GBP for daily payments on weekdays only. Auto Pay subscribers also receive the discounted rate of 12.50 GBP per day (instead of 15 GBP) for non-exempt vehicles.
Strategies for London Drivers in 2026
Switching to a pure electric vehicle permanently eliminates both the Congestion Charge and ULEZ charges, saving up to 6,050 GBP per year for daily commuters who drive into both zones on weekdays. Ultra Low Emission Zones also exist in Birmingham (CAZ Class C) and Bath (Clean Air Zone), with similar charges for non-compliant vehicles. Using TfL public transport for inner-London journeys is typically faster than driving during peak hours and avoids all charges entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to drive a non-compliant diesel car into central London per day? The combined Congestion Charge (15 GBP) and ULEZ (12.50 GBP) totals 27.50 GBP per weekday, or 12.50 GBP on weekends when the Congestion Charge does not apply.
Are hybrid cars exempt from ULEZ? Not automatically. Hybrid cars must meet the same Euro standards as their petrol equivalents (Euro 4 for petrol, Euro 6 for diesel) to be ULEZ compliant. Some older hybrids are non-compliant.
Can I use the Congestion Charge Auto Pay discount with a non-compliant vehicle? Yes, but you still pay the daily charge at the discounted rate of 12.50 GBP rather than 15 GBP. Auto Pay does not exempt non-compliant vehicles from the charge itself.