What Cars Are Exempt From The London Congestion Charge?

If you live in London or you’re planning a trip, you’ll have to take into consideration the daily congestion charge.  

However, some cars are exempt from the charge for a variety of reasons. Find out if you have to pay to drive in the Congestion Charge zone.

 

Summary            

Fully electric vehicles, emergency service vehicles and London Taxis are all on the list of vehicles exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

If you do not drive any of these vehicles, or qualify for a discount, you will have to pay a daily charge of £15, if you drive within the zone between 7:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday, and between 12:00 and 18:00 on weekends.

 

What is The London Congestion Charge?

The congestion charge was introduced in 2003 by Mayor Ken Livingstone. It aims to reduce congestion on some of London’s busiest roads by implementing a charge to drive through the zone between 7 am and 6 pm.

The charge is £15 per day and you can be fined as much as £130 if you fail to pay.

 

What Vehicles Are Exempt From The London Congestion Charge?

Electric Vehicles  

All fully electric vehicles are exempt from the London Congestion charge, but you must register the car before you plan to drive in the zone. You can do this online on the Transport for London (TFL) website. You must provide your V5C vehicle registration certificate issued by the DVLA. You can upload images of these or send copies via post.

It will cost you £10 to register your vehicle for the discount and you will need to renew it every year.

 

Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles

Taxis that are licenced with London Taxi are exempt from paying the congestion charge.

Private Hire Vehicles are not exempt and will be expected to pay the congestion charge if they travel within the zone during chargeable hours.

 

Blue Badge Holders

If you hold a valid Blue Badge, your vehicle is exempt and you’re eligible for a 100% discount. You must supply TFL with both sides of your Blue Badge along with proof of identity. You only need to provide one form, such as a passport, driver’s licence, or birth certificate.

You are required to pay a £10 fee to register for the discount and will need to be renewed with your Blue Badge. You can do this on the TFL website.

 

Other Exemptions  

You are exempt from paying the charges, or having to register with Transport For London if the vehicle is recorded at the DVLA in one of these categories:

• Two-wheeled motorbikes and motorbikes, including those with sidecars
• Emergency service vehicles such as ambulances and fire engines
• NHS vehicles that are exempt from vehicle tax
• Vehicles with disabled taxation class
• Vehicles for more than one disabled person, with disabled taxation class

Other categories of exemption include:

• Certain operational vehicles used by the London Boroughs
• Royal Parks Agency
• Breakdown Organisations
• The Armed Forces
• HM Coastguard and Port Authorities

 

If you believe your vehicle falls under one of these categories, contact TFL on their website.

 

Read More

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Drivers who live or work in London are often affected by the Congestion Charge. If you're currently spending lots of money driving through this zone, an EV might be the best answer for you. Learn how to register your car in this guide.

 

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