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    ULEZ exempt cars

    Note: The information provided in the article below is correct as at 22nd December, 2023.

    ULEZ exempt cars
    If you’re driving in the capital its important to know your car’s ULEZ status. Not paying the charge could result in a fine.

    The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expanded in October 2021, to cover central London up to (but not including) the South and North Circular roads. All cars driven in this area, that are not exempt, will have to pay the daily ULEZ charge of £12.50.

    Before you drive into London and run the risk of paying the ULEZ charge, you can check if your car is compliant with our ULEZ checker. If your car is exempt, you won’t have to pay the charge. You may have to inform Transport for London and provide proof that your car meets the rules for being exempt.

    In August 2023, the ULEZ expanded again to cover the whole of Greater London. Read more about the ULEZ expansion in 2023 in our ultimate guide.

    Is it time to sell your car?
    ULEZ expansion may cause changes to prices of compliant and non-compliant cars this year. Get a free valuation and sell your car now.

    What cars are exempt from ULEZ?

    Cars that meet certain emission standards are exempt from the ULEZ charge. This is because the charge was designed to lessen the number of high-polluting vehicles on the road and improve air quality. It serves as a penalty for those who continue to drive heavily polluting cars, lorries, bikes, and buses through London.

    If your vehicle is one of the following, it will be exempt from the ULEZ charge:

    When driving through the Ultra Low Emission Zone, ULEZ charges will apply unless you are in one of the above vehicles. However, you may still be charged if you have failed to inform TFL that you are driving a ULEZ-compliant vehicle.

    What petrol cars are exempt from ULEZ?

    Petrol cars must meet Euro 4 standards. Generally, this means any petrol car made after January 2006, but be sure to check before driving in London.

    What diesel cars are exempt from ULEZ?

    Diesel cars that meet Euro 6 standards are ULEZ compliant. This generally applies to any car made after September 2015, but again, you should always double-check.

    ULEZ compliant cars
    Fully-electric cars are ULEZ compliant and exempt from the charge

    Other ULEZ-exempt cars

    As mentioned, electric cars, as zero-emission vehicles, are exempt from the ULEZ charge.

    ULEZ-exempt cars list

    ULEZ-compliant cars are any cars that meet the emissions standards outlined above, but some popular models which are ULEZ compliant include:

    Any car model that is fully-electric is exempt, but you should check if you are using any other type of car, including semi-electric hybrid cars.

    ULEZ-exempt classic cars

    Classic cars may be exempt from the ULEZ if they fall into the historical vehicle tax class. This generally applies to any vehicle built more than 40 years ago in any given year.

    Be sure to check for your vehicle to see if this exemption applies to you. You may also have to register your vehicle in order to make sure it is not charged. This exemption also applies to any vehicles used for commercial purposes that are over 40 years old including food trucks and coffee vans.

    Where can I do an ULEZ exempt cars check?

    TfL host their own ULEZ checker online, which will tell you if your car is due to pay the ULEZ charge or is exempt. It will also tell you if you need to pay the congestion charge or LEZ charge.

    My car isn’t ULEZ exempt – now what?

    Any car that is not ULEZ exempt will need to pay the charge of £12.50 per day. It’s that simple. It doesn’t matter if you are driving through London on the way from Luton to Wandsworth, or if you live in Brent and were simply driving to the shops, the charge applies every day you use a non-compliant car within the ULEZ zone.

    This fee can become extremely expensive – if you drive in London every day, that’s almost £100 a week, almost £5,000 a year! The best ULEZ exempt cars are electric vehicles, and now might be the perfect time to switch. As well as being exempt from the ULEZ charge, electric cars are also exempt from road tax until 2025, and the congestion charge.

    ulez charges
    Failure to pay the ULEZ charge results in a £180 fine, which increased by £20 up from £160 in January 2023. When it’s paid within fourteen days, however, the penalty reduces to £90.

    Is my ULEZ exempt car free to drive in other Clean Air Zones?

    Clean Air Zones, or CAZes, are popping up all over the UK, and private passenger car drivers are charged for non-compliant cars in Bristol, Birmingham, and Scotland. Luckily, if your car is exempt from ULEZ charges, then it’s also going to be exempt from all other charging Clean Air Zones and Low Emission Zones in the UK! Read our guide for more on the UK’s Clean Air Zones.

    Sell your car

    If you’ve decided that it makes the best financial sense to sell your non-ULEZ compliant car, then do it the Motorway way.

    We offer a simple – and completely free – method of getting the best price when selling your car, whatever the model.

    Just enter your reg on the homepage and you will be provided with an instant estimated sale price based on up-to-the-minute market data. We’ll then ask you a few easy questions about your car and guide you through the photos you need to take to complete your vehicle profile. It can be done right from your phone – in a matter of minutes.

    If you choose to enter your car into a daily sale, it will be shown to our nationwide network of more than 5,000 verified dealers looking to add to their stock of used cars. Interested dealers will then compete to buy your car, offering you their best price.

    In as little as 24 hours you will receive your best offer – and, if you choose to go ahead with the sale, your car will be collected for free by the dealer and the money will be quickly and securely transferred to your bank account.

    Selling your car?

    Read about everything you need to know about how to sell your car with more guides here. There’s a lot to learn as Clean Air Zones and emissions standards in the UK change in the run-up to 2035.

    Sell your car the Motorway way

    Find your best offer from 7,500+ dealers