You must pay a £12.50 daily ULEZ charge if your car is non-compliant and you drive within the London-wide zone, which operates 24/7 (except Christmas Day). Generally, petrol cars registered after 2005 (Euro 4) and diesel cars registered after 2015 (Euro 6) are exempt, while older, more polluting vehicles must pay.
A car is exempt from ULEZ if it's a historic vehicle, meaning it's either built before 1 January 1973, or it's over 40 years old and registered with the DVLA in the 'Historic' tax class, which is a rolling system that qualifies newer vehicles annually (e.g., cars built before 1986 were eligible in 2026). This historic tax class exemption applies to both private and some commercial vehicles but requires applying to the DVLA, and vehicles must not be used commercially.
Yes, you do need to pay the £12.50 ULEZ charge for Heathrow Airport if your vehicle isn't compliant with the emissions standards, as the airport is within the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) for Greater London, effective from August 2023, and the charge applies for driving in the zone 24/7 (except Christmas Day). You'll pay this fee in addition to any other airport drop-off/pick-up charges if your vehicle doesn't meet the ULEZ criteria.
Petrol cars must meet Euro 4 emissions standards to be ULEZ compliant. Most, if not all, petrol cars registered since January 2006 meet these standards. Petrol cars that meet Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards are also exempt from paying charges.
Blue badge holders will need to pay the ULEZ charge unless their non-compliant vehicle qualifies for one of the following 3 grace periods. We've provided a brief summary of these grace periods here, but you should visit our discounts and exemptions page for full details, eligibility criteria and the online application.
No, you do not have to pay the ULEZ charge for driving on the M25 itself, as the zone covers all London boroughs but explicitly excludes the M25 motorway, even where it runs through Greater London. However, if you take diversion routes during M25 closures that lead you into the ULEZ (which is most of London), you will be charged £12.50 daily for a non-compliant vehicle, so always check signs or use a ULEZ checker before deviating, as sat-navs can direct you into the zone.
If you're parking on-site, you'll pay the charge both when you drive to the car park and again when you return to pick up your vehicle. Is London Gatwick (LGW) within London's ULEZ? No, Gatwick is outside the ULEZ zone, so you won't have to pay the charge unless you're driving through the zone to get there.
To be ULEZ compliant, petrol cars must meet Euro 4 emissions standards. Most petrol cars registered after January 2006 meet these standards. Petrol cars that meet Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards are exempt from paying charges.
You must pay the daily charge, if you drive within the Congestion Charge zone 7:00-18:00 Monday-Friday and 12:00-18:00 Sat-Sun and bank holidays. No charge between Christmas Day and New Year's Day bank holiday (inclusive). The easiest way to pay is by setting up Auto Pay. Exemptions and discounts are also available.
A car is exempt from ULEZ if it's a historic vehicle, meaning it's either built before 1 January 1973, or it's over 40 years old and registered with the DVLA in the 'Historic' tax class, which is a rolling system that qualifies newer vehicles annually (e.g., cars built before 1986 were eligible in 2026). This historic tax class exemption applies to both private and some commercial vehicles but requires applying to the DVLA, and vehicles must not be used commercially.
You must pay the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge by midnight on the third day after your journey, but you can also pay for up to three previous days, today, or the next day on the Transport for London (TfL) website, app, or by phone; failing to pay on time risks a £180 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
Yes, you do need to pay the £12.50 ULEZ charge for Heathrow Airport if your vehicle isn't compliant with the emissions standards, as the airport is within the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) for Greater London, effective from August 2023, and the charge applies for driving in the zone 24/7 (except Christmas Day). You'll pay this fee in addition to any other airport drop-off/pick-up charges if your vehicle doesn't meet the ULEZ criteria.
Any flight with a flight number between 6300 & 6599 (inclusive) operates from/to the South Terminal. All other flights operate from/to the North Terminal. The terminal your flight will operate to or from is also shown on your booking confirmation.
Is Hampton Court Palace and its car park in the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone and Low Emission Zone boundaries? Yes, but the entry to the palace is outside both zones and the private roads within the grounds and the carpark are not subject to any charges. However, cars exiting the car park are.
Can I use my wife's Blue Badge to do her shopping?
No, you generally cannot use your wife's Blue Badge to do her shopping unless she is with you in the vehicle as a driver or passenger, as the badge is strictly for the holder's use and benefit; letting someone else use it to shop for them (even if for the holder's benefit) is misuse, a criminal offense, and can result in fines and badge confiscation.
Can I park on double yellow lines in London with a disabled badge?
You can park on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours if there isn't a ban on loading. You have to use your blue parking clock. You have to wait for at least 1 hour before you go back and park there again. Red routes in London.
