How much does the congestion charge cost?

As of 2 January 2026, the London Congestion Charge is £18 per day if paid in advance or by midnight on the day of travel. If paid after this, but within three days of travel, the fee increases to £21. The charge applies to vehicles entering central London, covering specific, high-traffic areas.

Why was I charged 17.50 for Congestion Charge?

The £17.50 charge is for paying the London Congestion Charge late, specifically up to three days after travel, acting as a penalty to encourage timely payment, with the standard charge being £15 if paid in advance or on the day; this late payment fee incentivizes drivers to use faster payment methods and avoid potential Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).

How much is a Congestion Charge per day?

A daily congestion charge is a fee to drive in busy city centers, like London's £18 (or £21 if paid late) charge for central London (Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, weekends/holidays 12pm-6pm). These charges aim to reduce traffic, with systems often involving cameras reading license plates, and sometimes offer discounts for cleaner vehicles or residents, like London's new electric vehicle incentives. Oxford also has its own separate congestion charge.
 

How to avoid Congestion Charge on a Sunday?

To avoid the London Congestion Charge on a Sunday, you must either travel before 12:00 PM (noon), after 6:00 PM, use public transport, walk/cycle, or find parking outside the zone and use the Tube. The charge applies from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays, so arriving before noon or leaving after 6 PM avoids it entirely, as does not entering the zone at all during those hours. 

Can I check if I owe a Congestion Charge?

Using the congestion charge checker is as easy as entering your number plate. This will tell you whether or not you need to pay the charge. You can also enter a London postcode or address to see if it falls within the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ).

EVs Must Pay Congestion Charge in 2026?! What You Need to Know.

How long after entering a congestion zone can you pay?

Congestion Charge changes

You can pay in advance, on the day of travel or by midnight of the third day after travel. You need to pay a daily charge if you drive within the Congestion Charge zone 07:00-18:00 Mon-Fri, 12:00-18:00 Sat-Sun and bank holidays.

Is Tower Bridge part of the Congestion Charge?

Tower Bridge is part of the Inner Ring Road and as such is part of the proposed CCS boundary. As with the other bridge, Vauxhall Bridge, on the Inner Ring Road, there are alternatives both outside and within the proposed congestion charging scheme.

Does Waze avoid congestion charges?

Waze tries to avoid congestion charges by default but isn't perfect; it avoids them if your settings are correct (no exemptions, private vehicle) and the zone is active, but may route you through if it's outside charging hours, your destination is inside, or due to glitches. The key is checking your "Toll passes & exemptions" in settings, ensuring "London C Charge Exempt" isn't enabled and your vehicle type is "Private," as the standard "Avoid Tolls" setting doesn't fully cover congestion zones. 

What are zones 1 to 6 in London?

There are 6 main London zones which are listed below:

• Zone 1- Central London.
• Zone 2- Inner London.
• Zone 3- Between Inner London and Outer London.
• Zone 4- Outer Part of London.
• Zone 5- Suburbs of London.
• Zone 6- Suburbs of London.

Will I get notified if I need to pay a Congestion Charge?

No, you generally won't get a notification to pay the standard London Congestion Charge; it's your responsibility to pay by midnight the next day (or by midnight on the third charging day for a higher fee) to avoid a £180 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) sent to the registered keeper. You must proactively pay online, via app, or set up Auto Pay to get reminders and automatic payments, otherwise, you'll receive a PCN if you're caught entering the zone without paying. 

Is ULEZ free on Sunday?

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, except Christmas Day (25 December). The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including weekends and all public and bank holidays. Charging days run from midnight to midnight.

How to avoid Congestion Charge?

To avoid congestion pricing, use public transport, walk, or cycle; plan trips outside charging hours; use navigation apps with "avoid tolls" enabled; drive exempt vehicles (like motorbikes, emergency vehicles, or certain low-emission/disabled vehicles); or register for specific discounts/exemptions if eligible, while always checking the specific rules for your city (like London or NYC). 

Is Harrods in Congestion Charge?

Harrods not hit by congestion charge.

Are Ubers exempt from congestion pricing?

No, Uber drivers are generally not exempt from the London Congestion Charge; they must pay the daily fee when driving in the central zone during charging hours, as the exemption for Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) was removed in 2019, with only designated wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) retaining a limited exemption. While black cabs remain exempt, Uber and other app-based drivers face the same daily charge as other motorists, though Uber adds a £1.50 fee to trips in the zone to help cover costs.
 

Do electric cars have to pay Congestion Charge in 2025?

From 25th December 2025, the Cleaner Vehicle Discount, and thus London Congestion Charge exemption, will end, and electric vehicles will have to start paying the daily charge, currently priced at £15, for driving in Central London.

What happens if you forget to pay congestion?

If you don't pay the London Congestion Charge by midnight on the third day after you travel, you'll get a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for £180, which is reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days; if you don't pay the PCN, it increases, and can lead to court action and bailiffs. The initial fine amount might differ slightly depending on the specific scheme (like Birmingham's Clean Air Zone), but the core process involves a warning period, a penalty, and escalating enforcement if ignored.
 

Is public transport free for seniors in London?

If you're 60 or over and live in a London borough, you can get free travel on our transport services with an Oyster photocard.

Where does the London Congestion Charge start and end?

The London Congestion Charge zone covers much of Central London, roughly from Kings Cross/Euston Road in the north, Park Lane/Edgware Road in the west, Vauxhall/Elephant & Castle in the south, to Tower Bridge/Whitechapel in the east, with the boundaries defined by key roads like Pentonville Road and New Kent Road. You'll see signs indicating when you're entering and leaving the zone, and the charge applies weekdays 7 AM-6 PM, weekends & bank holidays 12 PM-6 PM (excluding Christmas week).