A guide to Congestion Charges
Are you visiting central London soon in your car or van? Depending on what vehicle you own, you may need to pay the Congestion Charge to drive in the zone. The Congestion Charge covers a small area within the capital.
Our helpful guide covers everything you need to know about congestion charges.
What is the Congestion Charge?
The Congestion Charge is a policy implemented by the UK government on 17 February 2003 to manage traffic in London. The scheme is managed by Transport for London and is designed to reduce the number of vehicles that travel into the zone.
The area covers Kings Cross in the north, Vauxhall in the south, and Paddington and Whitechapel in the eastern and western parts of central London.
Is the Congestion Charge the same as ULEZ and Clean Air Zones?
No, the Congestion Charge is separate from the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and Clean Air Zone (CAZ). If you live in a city or town with a ULEZ or Clean Air Zone, you may have to pay an additional charge to drive your non-compliant vehicle within the town or city centre. Not all these charge for cars currently and many more cities are planning to introduce charges for cars. Oxford for instance charges for all cars, with different rates for non-compliant cars.
Do I need to pay the Congestion Charge?
Yes. If you drive your car into central London, you must pay the congestion charge, which is £15 to drive in the zone. The congestion charge is in operation from the following times:
- 7:00am to 6:00pm from Monday to Friday
- 12:00pm to 6:00pm on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays
How to pay the Congestion Charge
There are a few ways that you can pay the congestion charge in London, which includes:
- The TFL website
- Your local newsagent
- Petrol station
- Blue or red self-service machines in car parks located in the zone
Who is exempt from the Congestion Charge?
Does your job require you to drive in central London regularly? You may be exempt from paying the Congestion Charge.
Provided you apply for an exemption through the TfL website, the following vehicles that are exempt from the Congestion Charge include:
- Disabled drivers that hold a Blue Badge
- Taxis
- Emergency vehicles
- Two-wheeled motorbikes and mopeds
- Armed Forces vehicles
- Roadside recovery vehicles
What are the penalties for not paying the Congestion Charge?
If you don’t pay the Congestion Charge within three days of driving in the zone, you’ll be issued a Penalty Charge Notice for £160. If you pay the PCN within 14 days, the fine is reduced from £160 to £80. You must pay the PCN within 28 days, otherwise the fine will increase to £240.
The Congestion Charge plays a role in reducing traffic and congestion in central London. Don’t get caught out when driving in the city with Setyres. Do your car’s tyres need replacing? Need to book your MOT test soon? Our team will ensure you have a high-quality experience when you visit one of our branches. You can contact our friendly team today, and we can answer all your vehicle-related questions.
Posted on: 18/03/2024
