Congestion Charge

The London Congestion Charge was introduced in February 2003; its aim is to deter unnecessary car journeys within Central London and all money raised from the Congestion Charge Scheme are spent on London's transport facilities.

Congestion Charge Exempt

There are a number of cars which receive a 100% discount from the London Congestion Charge scheme; to qualify, cars must be registered with TfL at a charge of £10 per vehicle per annum.

Click the link to see a list of Congestion Charge Exempt cars (i.e. those eligible for the 100% discount).

When and where does the Congestion Charge operate?

Time: The Congestion Charge is in operation Monday to Friday between the hours of 7am and 6pm, excluding public holidays and the days between Christmas and New Year.

What are the boundaries of the Congestion Charge zone?

The Congestion Charge zone stretches from City Road in the East to Park Lane and from Marylebone Road to Elephant and Castle.

The "Western Extension" of the Congestion Charge zone previously covered west London including Chelsea and Kensington but this was removed as of 4 January 2011.

How does the Congestion Charge scheme operate?

The Congestion Charge scheme requires payment to register a vehicle registration number on a database for daily travel into or within the public highway within the charging zone, or to be parked on the public highway within the zone. The only exceptions to the Congestion Charge are for residents parked in resident parking bays in their own local parking zones.

Cameras and mobile Congestion Charge units read number plates as vehicles enter, are driven or are parked within the charging zone and match it with the database. Once the number plate is matched, showing that a Congestion Charge toll has been paid details of the vehicle are automatically deleted off the database.

Congestion Charge Cost

To register on the database costs £10 a day for each vehicle moving into, within or parked in the zone. The charge can be pre-paid 90 days in advance of the relevant charging day. The charge does not attract VAT.

How to pay the Congestion Charge

The Congestion Charge can be paid by cash, cheque or debit/credit card at a number of retail outlets including post offices, petrol stations and self service pay points. There is also a Congestion Charge internet service (cclondon.com), telephone service (0845 900 1234) and text message service available (registration is required first, click the link for more information: text service)

Late payment of the Congestion Charge

The Congestion Charge is £10, if paid by midnight on the day of travel or £12 if paid by midnight the following charging day (via the telephone service and website only).

What are the Congestion Charge discounts and exemptions?

Congestion Charge Exemptions: The following are exempt from the scheme and TfL does not require any registration:

motorbikes, (and sidecars) mopeds and bicycles
London licensed black cabs and mini cabs
emergency service vehicles
NHS vehicles that are exempt from vehicle excise duty
vehicles used by disabled people that are exempt from vehicle excise duty
disabled passenger carrying vehicles (e.g. Dial-A-Ride) that are exempt from vehicle excise duty
public service vehicles with nine or more seats licensed as a bus

Congestion Charge Discounts: The following receive a 100% discount from the scheme but must be registered with TfL at a charge of £10 per vehicle per annum:

disabled people or institutions in receipt of a blue or orange badge
accredited breakdown vehicles
vehicles with nine or more seats
electrically propelled vehicles
cars that emit 100g/km or less of CO2 and that meet the Euro 5 standard for air quality. (Any car first registered with the DVLA as new on or after 1 January 2011 will be considered to meet the Euro 5 standard).

The previous alternative fuel or bi-fuel vehicle Congestion Charge discount has been discontinued, but if the vehicle was registered before 24 December 2010 it will still qualify for a discount until 24 December 2012.

The 100g/km CO2 Congestion Charge discount for cars is due to be reviewed in 2012. In 2012 the Mayor will decide whether or not to consult on reducing the CO2 level to 80g/km.

Congestion Charge Exempt cars for businesses
Congestion Charge Exempt cars for individuals

Applications for these discounts can be made through the TfL website

Congestion Charge