How to apply for ULEZ exemption

The London Ultra Low Emission Zone, more commonly known as the ULEZ, sets exhaust emissions standards for vehicles driving in Greater London. Unless your car meets the standards or qualifies for an exemption, you’ll have to pay a daily charge of £12.50 to drive into the zone. The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year (except Christmas Day).

Initially covering the same area as the London Congestion Charge zone, the ULEZ area was expanded in 2021 to include the area inside the north and south circular roads, then again in 2023 to cover most of Greater London, including Heathrow Airport.

To apply for ULEZ exemption, you need to check if you or your vehicle qualifies for one by meeting the ULEZ exemption standards laid out by Transport for London (TfL). In this guide, we’ll explain which vehicles and groups of people are exempt from payment, followed by how to apply for ULEZ exemption.

Which vehicles are affected by the ULEZ?

The ULEZ charges apply to vehicles that do not meet the following emissions standards:

• Euro 6 for diesel cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles (usually first registered since 2015)
• Euro 4 for petrol cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles (usually first registered since 2005)
• Euro 3 for motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles and quadricycles (usually first registered since 2007)

You can use the TfL online checker tool to see if your vehicle meets the emissions standards, but you will need to provide a Certificate of Conformity if the vehicle isn’t recognised as exempt by TfL. The vehicle manufacturer will be able to supply a certificate if you don’t have one, but the onus is on you to provide the evidence. Without it, you’ll be fined for entering the zone without paying the charge.

If the online checker says your vehicle meets the standards, no application is required and you’re free to enter the zone.

Other vehicles exempt from ULEZ

Some types of vehicles automatically qualify for ULEZ exemption, namely:

• Historic vehicles: all vehicles built before 1 January 1973 and those registered in the historic vehicle tax class
• London-licensed taxis
• Certain disabled tax class and wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles are exempt until 24 October 2027
• Specialist agricultural vehicles
• Military vehicles
• Others, such as mobile cranes, showman’s vehicles and excavators

Check the TfL guide to discounts and exemptions for more information, as not all vehicles are automatically exempt. In some cases, such as showman’s vehicles, you have to apply for a 100 per cent discount.

How to apply for ULEZ exemption

If you believe your vehicle should be exempt from the ULEZ, you need to register it with Transport for London.

Before starting the application, you need to have a London Road User Charging account, which can be done as part of the process. You’ll also need the following documents:

• A copy of the vehicle’s V5C or non-UK equivalent
• A Certificate of Conformity or a letter from the vehicle manufacturer stating the vehicle’s Euro standard

Contact TfL for more information on the ULEZ, including the geographical area, the penalties for entering without paying the daily charge and how to pay the charge if your vehicle isn’t exempt. 

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