How to avoid Congestion Charge?

To avoid the London Congestion Charge (£15 daily, 7am–6pm Mon-Fri, 12pm–6pm Sat-Sun), drive outside these hours, take public transport, cycle, or walk. Other methods include using EVs (register for 25% discount via Auto Pay, though 100% discount ends late 2025), driving motorcycles/mopeds, or registering for Blue Badge/resident exemptions.

How do I avoid paying the Congestion Charge?

How do I avoid paying the London Congestion Charge? You can avoid paying the London Congestion Zone Charge by travelling between 18:00 and 7:00 Monday to Friday, and 18:00 to 12:00 Saturday to Sunday (and bank holidays). There is no charge between Christmas Day or New Year's Day, either.

How do I avoid congestion charges on Google Maps?

To avoid congestion charges on Google Maps, enter your destination, get directions, tap the three dots (menu), select Route options, and check the box for Avoid tolls, which often reroutes you around zones like London's Congestion Charge or Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ). However, some users find this feature unreliable for specific zones like London's ULEZ and recommend checking official maps (like Transport for London's website) or using Waze for more accurate, localized data. 

How to be exempt from Congestion Charge?

Your vehicle is exempt from the temporary congestion charge if it is not a car (M1). For example, vans, motorbikes, mopeds, scooters and lorries are exempt. The automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera checks the vehicle type when you pass. You do not need to apply for a permit.

What is the app to avoid Congestion Charge?

London Congestion Charge App London Congestion Charge App allows for hassle-free and easy on-the-go congestion zone travel, charge tracking and management. Be you a minicab driver, a delivery person or just an occasional driver - you'll find this app tremendously useful for your everyday trips to downtown London.

WAZE SETTINGS: The Mistake 9 Out of 10 Drivers Make! Turn This On and Everything Changes!

Can 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. 

How to get around 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). 

Do you pay Congestion Charge if you enter before 7am?

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 Waze still better than Google Maps?

Waze's driver-focused features are so good that you will even find some of them in Google Maps, which draws on Waze data to plan its driving routes. Google Maps can better help with other forms of transportation, such as buses and subways.

Does Google Maps avoid Caz?

Use your sat nav. Google Maps can alert you about any upcoming Low Emission or Clean Air Zones. Simply enter your destination and a warning below the map will appear if it is within an LEZ. It can also recommend routes to help you avoid driving through them.

How to set Google Maps to avoid Congestion Charge?

To avoid congestion charges on Google Maps, enter your destination, get directions, tap the three dots (menu), select Route options, and check the box for Avoid tolls, which often reroutes you around zones like London's Congestion Charge or Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ). However, some users find this feature unreliable for specific zones like London's ULEZ and recommend checking official maps (like Transport for London's website) or using Waze for more accurate, localized data. 

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. 

Are cars over 40 years old Congestion Charge exempt?

Although classic and historic vehicles over 40 years old are exempt from ULEZ, there are many newer than that which are now subject to the ULEZ charge.

How do I avoid paying the London congestion charge?

To avoid London's Congestion Charge, travel outside charging hours (weekdays 7am-6pm, weekends & bank holidays 12pm-6pm, no charge Christmas-New Year), use public transport/cycle/walk, drive a fully electric vehicle (registered), or use route planners (like Google Maps) to steer clear of the zone boundary; exemptions and discounts exist for some residents and disabled drivers.

Is Heathrow in the congestion zone?

Find out more about paying the Congestion Charge, Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels charge, ULEZ and LEZ, and learn more about DVS. All roads within Greater London, those at Heathrow and parts of the M1 and M4 are included. However, the M25 is not included (even where it passes within the GLA boundary).

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).

Can you go into a congestion zone twice in a day?

The daily congestion charge

You only pay once a day. You can drive through multiple charge locations per day or any single charge location multiple times per day.

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. 

How to avoid congestion route?

Avoiding a congestion charge can be simple, if you follow the below suggestions:

1. Plan Your Visit Properly. ...
2. A Free Parking App. ...
3. Congestion Charge Zone Map. ...
4. Avoiding The CC Zones. ...
5. Be Aware of Driving Surroundings. ...
6. Opt For a Low Emission Car. ...
7. Alternative Transportation. ...
8. The Tube.