London Congestion Charge Zone Explained

If you have driven into central London before, you will no doubt have come across the Congestion Charge zone. Since 2003, motorists travelling in and out of the city are required to pay when driving in certain areas of inner London.

Marking 20 years of the Congestion Charge zone in 2023, we explain everything you need to know about the existing scheme and what changes we can expect in the future. Read on to find out more… 

What is the London Congestion Charge zone?

The London Congestion Charge zone is a scheme operated by Transport for London (TfL) designed to reduce the amount of vehicles travelling in the city centre. 

There is a daily charge for drivers who travel within the designated zone which is in place during certain times of the day:

• Monday: 7am until 6pm
• Tuesday: 7am until 6pm
• Wednesday: 7am until 6pm
• Thursday: 7am until 6pm
• Friday: 7am until 6pm
• Saturday: 12pm until 6pm
• Sunday: 12pm until 6pm
• Bank holidays: 12pm until 6pm

The only two days during the year when the London Congestion Charge zone isn’t active are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. 

Which areas of London are in the Congestion Charging zone?

Most areas within central London are covered by the Congestion Charging zone. The boroughs included (in alphabetical order) are:

• Barbican
• Bloomsbury
• Borough
• Charing Cross
• City of London
• Clerkenwell
• Covent Garden
• Euston
• Finsbury
• Holborn
• Lambeth
• Marylebone
• Mayfair
• Newington
• Soho
• Southwark
• St. Pancras
• Waterloo
• Westminster 

The map below provides a visual indication of the Congestion Charge zone in London, courtesy of Transport for London (TfL). The red line denotes the boundary of which roads within this are subject to congestion charges. 

To find out if your journey into London will result in congestion zone charges, check your postcode or use the map search function for your destination online via TfL’s Congestion Charge zone web page. 

How do I know if I entered the congestion zone in London?

Signage on and alongside roads in central London will alert drivers to when they are entering the congestion charge zone. A series of signs will be displayed to signal the approach to the zone, when the zone starts, when you’re within the zone, and once leaving the charging zone. 

Separate signage also dictates when the charging zone is in operation. Below is an example of the type of signs you are likely to see:

How is the Congestion Charge monitored? 

London’s Congestion Charge zone is monitored by a vast network of ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras. This type of technology digitally reads a vehicle’s number plate as it enters and leaves the zone, which is then pinged to a computer system cross-referencing the registration number of those that have and haven’t paid.    

Who has to pay Congestion Charges?

Very few vehicles are exempt from paying the Congestion Charge in London, but there are allowances which we’ve explained in more detail, below. The general rule of thumb is that any car that produces 76g/km of CO2 emissions or more must pay the daily £15 fee to drive within the zone.   

Who is exempt from the Congestion Charge?

There are exemptions and 100% discounts from the London Congestion Charge zone for certain types of vehicles and eligible drivers; it is free to enter the zone for those falling within the following categories:

• If you are a Blue Badge holder
• If you drive a vehicle that has a disabled taxation class
• If you drive a battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (we explain more about this, below)
• If you drive a vehicle with nine or more seats (such as a minibus)
• If you drive a two-wheeled motorbike or moped (this can include a sidecar)
• If you drive a motor tricycle (as long as it’s one metre wide or less and two metres long or less)
• If you drive a taxi that is licensed with London Taxi and Private Hire (TPH) 
• If you operate an emergency services vehicle (ambulance, fire engine, police)
• If you drive an NHS vehicle that is exempt from vehicle tax
• If you operate a breakdown vehicle 
• If you operate a roadside recovery vehicle
• If you drive an official HM Coastguard or Port Authorities vehicle 
• If you drive an official armed forces vehicle
• If you operate a vehicle used by the London boroughs
• If you operate a Royal Parks Agency vehicle

Are electric cars exempt from the Congestion Charge?

Yes, electric cars are currently exempt from paying the Congestion Charge fee in London. Battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles fall under what’s called the ‘Cleaner vehicle discount’ category which means they are (for now) exempt from paying the daily £15 fee to enter the zone.

However, this current perk for EV drivers is set to change from the 25th December 2025 when the cleaner vehicle discount will be formally discontinued. From this point onwards, all electric vehicle owners will be required to pay the daily £15 fee unless they are eligible for another discount or exemption. 

What are the London Congestion Zone charges?

When driving within the Congestion Charge zone in London, motorists are required to pay a daily £15 fee. No matter how much you travel within the zone - or how many times you drive in and out of the area within a 24-hour period - the congestion charge only needs to be paid once per day. 

How do I pay the London Congestion Zone charge?

Charges for the London Congestion Zone can be paid online. This can be done in advance if you know the date of travel into central London, on the day itself, or within three days afterwards. If you pay post-travel, the fee increases to £17.50 from the original £15 charge.

If you regularly drive to and from central London, the best and most convenient way to pay the fee is via Auto Pay which will bill you automatically. You can set up a personal or business Auto Pay account by accessing Transport for London’s (TfL’s) official Auto Pay web page.     

What happens if I don’t pay the London Congestion Zone charge?

If you ignore the Congestion Charge, you will be penalised which is enforceable by law. ANPR cameras will have registered your vehicle travelling in and out of the zone, so the daily £15 fee is unavoidable. 

Failure to pay the Congestion Charge will result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) which is an initial £180 fee. You will have 28-days in order to pay the PCN, but if the charge is paid within 14-days of receipt, it will be discounted by half to £90. 

Do London residents get a discount for the Congestion Charge?

Yes, London residents are eligible for a discount of up to 90% from the £15 daily Congestion Charge. To qualify for the residents’ discount, you must live within the dedicated zone and meet the following criteria:

• Your main home address is within the Congestion Charging zone
• Your name is shown on official documents including the Parliamentary or local government electoral register
• You are at least 17-years-old
• The vehicle must be registered with the DVLA in your name and the address provided
• You must provide evidence of a current resident’s parking permit
• You must provide evidence of a current utility bill 
• You must provide evidence of your V5C vehicle registration certificate (also known as the logbook)

It’s worth noting that there is an annual £10 registration fee to access the residents’ discount.  

Congestion Charge exempt cars at Wilsons Epsom

If you’re looking for a zero emission car which is exempt from the London Congestion Charge, then look no further than our multi-franchise dealership in Surrey. As the largest family-run new and used car supermarket in the South of England, we are a popular choice for drivers - especially those making the switch to an electric vehicle. 

Until 25th December 2025, battery electric cars are exempt from the daily Congestion Charge in London. Here at Wilsons Epsom, we stock almost 500 hybrid and electric vehicles from 20 world-renowned manufacturers - explore our electrifying range of new or used EVs here.