A new Congestion Charge system is coming to London on 27 October. Parker's explains what it is, where it covers and lists the green cars that could save you £££s.
Quick links
London Congestion Charge
Which cars are exempt?
If your car's emission levels are below 121 g/km CO2, you can drive into the zone for free. The following ten cars are congestion charge exempt:
Car | | Green facts |
| Honda Insight
The pioneering Insight was Honda's first 'hybrid' - a car with both a petrol engine and an electric motor. It's extremely frugal and won't cost the earth to run. | 80 g/km
83 mpg
Review |
| Volkswagen Polo
Certain Polos use 'Bluemotion' technology to offer better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions. | 99 g/km
74 mpg
Review |
| SEAT Ibiza
Go for the green Ecomotive 1.4 diesel, which is the most economical and cleanest SEAT model ever. | 99 g/km
74 mpg
Review |
| Toyota Prius
Prius won Car of the Year 2005. It works by using a petrol engine at speed and switching to an electric battery when slower. | 104 g/km
65 mpg
Review |
| Citroen C1
C1 performs very well on the eco front and was built alongside the Pegueot 107 and Toyota Aygo. | 109 g/km
67 mpg
Review |
| Citroen C3
One of Citroen's best-selling models with good reason: it's quirky, fun and comfortable to drive. | 109 g/km
67 mpg
Review |
| Honda Civic Hybrid
Another hybrid, the Civic is brilliantly engineered, well equipped, good to drive and very reliable. Trips to the pumps should be few and far between. | 109 g/km
61 mpg
Review |
| Peugeot 107
A result of the Peugeot-Citroën-Toyota joint small car project, the 107 is better equipped than the C1 and Aygo. It's 1.0 engine is nippy around town. | 109 g/km
61 mpg
Review |
| Toyota Aygo
Toyota's urban runabout has a frugal yet feisty three-cylinder engine, ultra-low running costs and superior quality to most cars in its sector. | 109 g/km
61 mpg
Review |
| Renault Clio
Clio is great fun, very eco-friendly and easy on the fuel. There's a wide range of diesels to keep costs, and emissions, down. | 110 g/km
67 mpg
Review |
List of all congestion charge exempt cars
Discounted vehicles
The following vehicles also qualify for 100% discount (unless stated otherwise):
- Alternative-fuel vehicles (including electric vehicles)
- Blue Badge holders
- Recovery vehicles
- Large vehicles with more than eight seats
- Most residents living within the Congestion Zone qualify for a 90% discount on their main vehicle
- Motor tricycles
What is the congestion charge?
Every vehicle (except a few exemptions) must pay the congestion charge each day it enters the zone.
The £8 charge covers the vehicle for that day, rather than allowing 24 hour access from the time of purchase. You can drive in and out of the zone as many times as you like on the day, though you will be liable for the following day's charge if your car is still within the congestion zone after midnight. This is important to remember if you're planning to attend a late-night concert.
Where is the congestion zone?
The congestion zone covers central London. It spans from Finsbury to Newington in the east and North Kensington to South Kensington in the west.
The majority of the capital's most popular tourist attractions are located within the zone.
You do not have to pay the charge, if:
- you enter between the hours of 18:00 and 07:00, at weekends or on a public holiday;
How do I pay the congestion charge?
The congestion charge currently costs £8 if you pay before midnight on the day of travel. Be aware that you can pay the congestion charge up to 90 days before you visit the capital.
The fee rises to £10 if you pay the following day, though if you enter the zone on a Friday, you have the weekend to contact Transport for London to arrange payment.
If you do not pay after this period, you will be fined.
Six easy ways to pay
| Online
You can pay your charges online here. |
| Post
Download, print and fill in the payment form and post it to this address. |
| Self-service
There are plenty of pay machines located within the congestion zone. |
| Shops
You can pay in all stores with the red congestion charge logo. |
| SMS text message
After registering, you can text the last four digits of your credit card to 81099. |
| Telephone
Call Transport for London on 0845 900 1234 to pay the congestion charge. |
How do I pay my fine?
Paying your fine
Transport for London will issue you with a £120 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if you fail to pay for the congestion charge by midnight of the following day.
You will receive the PCN in the post and have two options: to pay the fine or to challenge it.
Three payment methods
| Call Transport for London on 0845 900 1234 for a credit or debit card payment |
| Visit the official website and pay online |
| Or send the payment section of your PCN to this address. You may pay via credit or debit card, cheque or postal order. Do not send cash. |
It's wise to pay up within 14 days if you are guilty, as the fine is halved to £60.
The seriousness of the charge will then escalate the longer you fail to pay.
If the charge is not paid within 28 days, it rises to £180. This is called a Charge Certificate - which you cannot contend. After an Order for Recovery has been issued following continued non-payment, Bailiffs will recover the charges.
Persistent offenders beware: Transport for London will immobilise or remove vehicles with more than two outstanding PCNs.
Challenging your fine
You can challenge a penalty by writing to Transport for London within 28 days of receiving the fine. Simply complete the form attached to your penalty notice - ensuring that you clearly explain your defence and include any supporting evidence - and return it to this address.
Before you appeal, be aware that Transport for London does not accept the following excuses:
How do I contact Transport for London?
Visit Transport for London's website or find out more about the congestion charge here.
Call 0845 900 1234 between 06:00 and 00:30 (Sundays 06:00 and 22:00).
Send all postal correspondence regarding the congestion charge to:
Congestion Charging
PO BOX 2984
Coventry
CV7 8YR
Have you got a question about the congestion charge? Ask Parker's here.
