What ULEZ actually is
The Ultra Low Emission Zone covers all of Greater London. Since August 2023 it has stretched to the M25's doorstep, not just the city centre. Cameras read every plate and check it against the DVLA's records (the scheme is run by Transport for London); if the vehicle doesn't meet the emissions standard, the £12.50 daily charge applies. There's nothing to opt into and no barrier to stop you. You're expected to know, and to pay.
The test is not your car's age. It's the European emissions standard the engine was certified to when new. Age is just the shorthand everyone uses, because the standards became mandatory on known dates.
The rules by fuel type
The "~" matters: some models met the standard a year or two before it was mandatory, and a few late-registered older designs missed it. If your car sits near a boundary year, check the exact car rather than trusting the date.
What it costs to get wrong
A non-compliant car used for a daily commute inside the zone costs over £3,000 a year in charges alone: often more than switching cars would. Other cities run their own schemes: the official list is on gov.uk.
Buying a used car? Check ULEZ first, not last
The cars most often caught are 2010 to 2015 diesels. They look modern, they're priced attractively, and they fail the standard. If you live in or visit London regularly, a non-compliant car's real cost is its price plus thousands a year in charges. Every Motorworthy reg check includes this, which is rather the point. While you're at it, the same check runs a verified mileage check on the exact car.
Quick answers
How much is the ULEZ charge?
£12.50 per day for cars, motorcycles and vans up to 3.5 tonnes that don’t meet the emissions standard. It applies once per day, midnight to midnight, every day except Christmas Day.
Is my petrol car ULEZ exempt?
If it meets Euro 4, which in practice means first registered from about January 2006 onwards, it drives free. Most petrol cars under 20 years old are fine.
Is my diesel car ULEZ exempt?
Diesels need Euro 6, which broadly means first registered from September 2015. Older diesels are the group most often caught out.
What happens if I don’t pay?
A penalty charge of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. The cameras read your plate automatically: there are no barriers and no warnings.
Do I pay if I live inside the zone?
Yes. Residents pay like everyone else if the vehicle isn’t compliant. There is no general resident discount.