London: Congestion Charge
A separate daily charge from ULEZ, covering a smaller central zone roughly inside London's Inner Ring Road (City of London, Westminster, Holborn, Mayfair, Southwark, South Bank) — applies regardless of how clean your vehicle is.
Congestion Charge · LAST VERIFIED 2026-07-28When it's active
Monday–Friday 07:00–18:00, and Saturday–Sunday and bank holidays 12:00–18:00. Free on Christmas Day.
Which vehicles are affected
Applies to most vehicles driving within the zone during charging hours — this is a traffic-reduction charge, not an emissions standard, so even electric vehicles aren't automatically exempt (though some get a partial discount).
Registering a foreign or rental vehicle
No advance registration required for one-off visits — pay online, via the TfL app, by phone, or set up Auto Pay if you drive in regularly.
Fees & fines
£18 per day if paid on the day (rising to £21 if paid by midnight the third day after travel); electric vehicles registered for Auto Pay get a 25% discount (£13.50). Figures are indicative — confirm the current charge on the official TfL site.
How it's enforced
Camera-enforced at the zone boundary; unpaid charges become a Penalty Charge Notice (£180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days).
Exemptions
A small number of vehicle types and London residents living within the zone have discounts or exemptions — check TfL's official list.
Where the zone is
Roughly the area inside the Inner Ring Road — Pentonville Road in the north to Elephant & Castle in the south, Park Lane in the west to Aldgate in the east (about 22 km²).