Pay to Drive in London – Guide to Congestion Charge and ULEZ
Driving in London means navigating a system of road user charges designed to manage traffic and improve air quality. Whether you are a resident, a commuter, or a visitor, understanding how to pay the Congestion Charge, Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is essential. This guide covers everything from costs and deadlines to the official payment methods, including the TfL Pay to Drive in London app.
What is Pay to Drive in London?
Congestion Charge
£18 per day if paid in advance or on the day, or £21 if paid within three days after travel. Applies in central London, Monday to Friday 07:00–18:00.
ULEZ
£12.50 per day for non-compliant vehicles, operating 24 hours a day across all London boroughs since the August 2023 expansion.
LEZ
Applies mainly to larger vehicles such as lorries, buses and coaches. Daily charges vary depending on vehicle type and emissions standard.
Payment Methods
Pay online at tfl.gov.uk, via the official TfL Pay to Drive in London app, by phone, or by setting up Auto Pay for automatic monthly billing.
- The official TfL Pay to Drive in London app consolidates Congestion Charge, ULEZ and LEZ payments into a single interface.
- For Congestion Charge you can pay up to three days after travel, but at a higher rate of £21 instead of £18.
- ULEZ must be paid by midnight on the third day after the journey or a Penalty Charge Notice is issued.
- Paying by number plate means entering the vehicle registration so the system identifies the correct charge based on zone and compliance.
- Both Congestion Charge and ULEZ can be handled in one transaction if a journey crosses both zones.
- Non-compliant vehicles driven across two days incur two separate daily charges.
| Scheme | Cost | Zone | Exemptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congestion Charge | £18 (advance/on day) / £21 (within 3 days) | Central London | Electric vehicles, disabled tax class, residents (90% discount) |
| ULEZ | £12.50 per day | All London boroughs | Electric/hybrid (limited), some historic vehicles |
| LEZ | Varies (e.g. £100–£300 for large vans) | Greater London | Euro VI vehicles, military vehicles |
| Payment app | Free to download | iOS and Android | Pay for past/future dates, manage vehicles, view history |
How to pay the Congestion Charge and ULEZ online?
How to pay Congestion Charge by number plate
The simplest way is to visit the TfL Congestion Charge page and enter your vehicle registration number. The system looks up the vehicle and presents the correct charge. You can pay for past days (up to three days back), today, or future dates up to 90 days in advance. No account is required for a one-off payment, though signing in allows you to track your history.
Can I pay a one-off Congestion Charge?
Yes. One-off payments are designed for occasional drivers. You pay by number plate for specific dates. If you pay on the day or in advance the charge is £18. If you miss that window and pay within three days after travel it rises to £21.
How to pay both Congestion Charge and ULEZ together
The TfL website and the official app allow you to pay both charges in a single transaction when your journey covers both zones. After entering the number plate the system determines which charges apply and shows a combined total. You then complete the payment with a credit or debit card.
Is ULEZ pay online free?
The term free refers to the payment process itself. There is no service fee added by TfL for paying online or through the app. What you pay is the daily charge only. However, compliant vehicles pay nothing at all because they meet the emissions standard. Always use the secure system at tfl.gov.uk to avoid unofficial sites that may add hidden costs.
Both Congestion Charge and ULEZ must be paid by midnight on the third day after the journey. Missing this deadline results in a Penalty Charge Notice of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
Is there an official TfL app to pay to drive in London?
How to use the Pay to Drive in London app
TfL provides a free official app called Pay to Drive in London, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. After downloading you can enter a number plate, select the date range, and pay by card. The app covers Congestion Charge, ULEZ, and LEZ charges in one place.
Can I pay via the app for past or future dates?
Yes. The app allows payment for up to three previous days, today, tomorrow, or a custom date range. For longer advance bookings up to 90 days ahead you can use the website. The app also includes zone maps, a postcode checker, and the ability to manage multiple vehicles under one account.
The app lets you sign up for Auto Pay, which automatically bills your account monthly for any charges incurred. There are no registration or renewal fees, and it saves money on the daily Congestion Charge by applying the lower rate. Auto Pay covers Congestion Charge, ULEZ, LEZ, and Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges.
What are the differences between Congestion Charge, ULEZ, and LEZ?
How much does each charge cost?
The Congestion Charge is a flat daily fee of £18 (or £21 if paid late) for driving in central London during operating hours. ULEZ costs £12.50 per day for non-compliant vehicles and applies across all London boroughs, 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day. LEZ charges vary by vehicle type and are aimed at commercial vehicles such as lorries, buses and coaches, with rates that can reach several hundred pounds per day.
Which vehicles are affected by ULEZ vs LEZ?
ULEZ applies primarily to cars, vans, and motorcycles that do not meet Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel) emissions standards. LEZ targets heavier vehicles: lorries, buses, coaches, and large vans that fail to meet Euro VI standards. Compliant vehicles in both schemes drive without charge.
Do I need to pay both if I drive through multiple zones?
Yes. A journey that enters both the central London Congestion Charge zone and the wider ULEZ area will incur both charges if the vehicle is non-compliant for each scheme. The TfL payment system handles this in a single transaction when you enter the number plate and travel dates.
Only pay through official TfL channels: the Pay to Drive in London app or the GOV.UK Clean Air Zones page for broader UK information. Unofficial sites may mislead you or charge extra fees. Always check you are on tfl.gov.uk or the official app before entering payment details.
What are the key dates for London’s driving charges?
- 17 February 2003 – Congestion Charge introduced at £5 per day.
- 8 April 2019 – ULEZ launched in central London at £12.50 per day.
- 25 October 2021 – ULEZ expanded to inner London, up to the North and South Circular roads.
- 29 August 2023 – ULEZ expanded to cover all London boroughs, including Heathrow Airport.
- 20 December 2025 – TfL Pay to Drive app last updated according to its Google Play listing.
- Ongoing – LEZ charges are reviewed annually; Clean Air Zones continue to roll out in other UK cities.
What are the payment rules and what remains unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Congestion Charge must be paid by midnight of the third day after travel or a £180 penalty applies. | Whether paying via the app incurs additional processing fees. TfL does not currently charge extra, but users should verify before each transaction. |
| ULEZ must be paid by midnight of the third day after travel with no grace period beyond that. | How long the system takes to confirm a payment made by number plate. Confirmation usually appears immediately but can take up to two hours. |
| You can pay by number plate using the TfL website or app without creating an account, though an account is recommended to track history. | Whether combined payment for Congestion Charge and ULEZ is always possible for every single journey. TfL states most journeys through both zones are covered. |
Why were these charges introduced?
London’s road user charging schemes were created to address two interconnected problems: chronic traffic congestion and poor air quality. The Congestion Charge, introduced in 2003, aimed to reduce the number of vehicles entering central London during peak hours. The ULEZ and LEZ followed as emissions-based schemes designed to accelerate the shift to cleaner vehicles. TfL provides a unified payment system through its website and dedicated app, covering all three charges so drivers can manage their obligations in one place. Tourists and occasional drivers can pay by entering a number plate online or via the app without needing a long-term account.
Where can I find official information about paying to drive in London?
You can pay for the Congestion Charge and ULEZ charge for up to 3 previous days, today, the next day, or for a custom date range.
TfL Pay to Drive in London page
The Congestion Charge is an £18 daily charge (if paid on the day or in advance) or £21 (if paid by midnight of the third day after travel).
TfL Congestion Charge page
If you’re paying the charge for a single vehicle, you’ll need a credit or debit card.
GOV.UK Clean Air Zones page
What should I do next if I drive in London?
Check whether your vehicle is ULEZ-compliant using TfL’s online vehicle checker. If you drive in London regularly, consider setting up Auto Pay through the app or website to avoid missing payment deadlines and to benefit from reduced Congestion Charge rates. For occasional visits, paying by number plate via the official TfL website or the Pay to Drive in London app is straightforward. If you plan to drive in other UK cities, review their Clean Air Zone rules as well. Check your vehicle for ULEZ compliance on the TfL website.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay Congestion Charge by phone?
Yes, TfL accepts payment by phone using a credit or debit card. Call 0343 222 2222 (call charges apply).
What happens if I don’t pay the Congestion Charge?
You will receive a Penalty Charge Notice of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
Is there a free app to pay to drive in London?
Yes, the official TfL Pay to Drive in London app is free to download on iOS and Android.
How do I pay for ULEZ as a non-UK visitor?
You can pay via the TfL website using the number plate of your rental car and an international credit card.
Can I pay for both Congestion Charge and ULEZ in one go?
Yes, the website and app allow you to pay both charges in a single transaction if your journey covers both zones.
Does the Pay to Drive in London app work for LEZ charges?
Yes, the app includes LEZ payment functionality for larger vehicles such as lorries and buses.
What is the minimum age to create a TfL account?
You must be at least 17 years old to create a TfL account through the app or website.
Can I pay for a date more than 90 days in advance?
No, the maximum advance payment window is 90 days for Congestion Charge, ULEZ, and LEZ.
Does the app work for Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges?
Yes, those tunnel charges can be paid through the same app and website, with a 65-day advance window.
Are electric vehicles exempt from all charges?
Electric vehicles are exempt from the Congestion Charge and ULEZ, but LEZ exemptions depend on vehicle weight and emissions classification.
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