London’s Congestion Charge

London’s Environmental Zones Congestion Charge

What is London Congestion Charge?

London’s Congestion Charge zone covers most of central London including the City of Westminster, the City of London and parts of the London Boroughs of Camden, Lambeth and Southwark. You need to pay a daily charge if you drive within the Congestion Charge zone during charging times

Please note that the speed limit in the Congestion Charge zone is 20 miles per hour. 

The Congestion Charge applies between 07:00-18:00 Monday-Friday and 12:00-18:00 Sat-Sun and bank holidays. There’s no charge between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day bank Holiday (inclusive).

The Congestion Charge is £15 per vehicle per day if you pay in advance or before midnight on the day you enter the zone.

If you forget, you can still pay the fee up to three days later but the price increases to £17.50 per vehicle per day.

You can drive in and out of the Congestion Charge zone as many times as you like on the day — you only pay one fee.

1. Online Payment

You can pay online up to 90 days in advance, on the day of travel or by midnight of the third day after travel by using the official Transport for London (TfL) website:

tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge

Do not use other websites to pay. They charge more than the official rate – in some cases up to £5 extra. The maximum amount you should pay is £15 on the day, or £17.50 up to three days following the date of travel.

2.  Pay via the TfL Pay to Drive in London app

TfL has a Pay to Drive in London app to pay the charge. It’s available from the Apple app store or Google Play. The app is free to download.

3. Pay by phone

Call 0343 222 2222 between 8am–8pm Monday–Friday to pay by phone.

Cameras record when you enter and exit the zone. If payment is not received by midnight on the third day after entering the Congestion Charge Zone, a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for £160 is sent to your home address. If you pay within 14 days, the fine is reduced to £80.

Exemptions

Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers qualify for the 100% Congestion Charge discount (you will be required to pay an annual registration fee of £10 to register each vehicle for the discount).

Summary of London’s Environmental Zone Charges

Charging days run from midnight to midnight. So if you drive within the zones between 23:30 and 01:00 the next day, you need to pay for 2 days.

The Congestion Charge covers central London. The ULEZ covers central London and the area up to, but not including, the North and South Circular Roads (A406 and A205). LEZ operates across most of Greater London.

The charges only need to be paid if you drive your vehicle within the zone.

As well as ULEZ and LEZ charges, you may also need to pay the Congestion Charge. If you drive within the Congestion Charge zone during these times you need to pay the Congestion Charge, even if you meet the ULEZ and/or LEZ emissions standards or have paid those daily charges.