London Congestion Charge: a simple guide

If you are planning to visit London with your car, you may need to pay the Congestion Charge. The daily fee applies when you enter certain parts of London with your vehicle, but not all drivers have to pay.

Our emissions guide details all you need to know about the London Congestion Charge, including when it applies, how much you have to pay, the penalties for not paying and how you can appeal a C-Charge fine.

What is the London Congestion Charge?

The Congestion Charge is a fee for driving in central London at certain times of the day. Its aim is to reduce traffic congestion by making people think twice before using their cars.

Managed by Transport for London (TfL), the Congestion Charge covers approximately the area from Kings Cross in the north to Vauxhall in the south, and Paddington in the west to Whitechapel in the east. All roads around the perimeter of the zone are monitored by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.

Is the London Congestion Charge the same as ULEZ and LEZ?

The London Congestion Charge is separate to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ), which means you may face additional fees to drive in certain parts of London. 

The ULEZ and LEZ are designed to reduce air pollution, while the Congestion Charge is intended to reduce traffic congestion in central London. 

How much is the London Congestion Charge?

The London Congestion Charge is £18 per day, if you pay in advance or on the day of travel (or £21 if paid by midnight of the third day after travel). However, battery-powered electric cars are eligible for a 25% discount if registered for Auto Pay, reducing the fee to £13.50 a day.

What times does the London Congestion Charge operate?

The charge applies seven days a week between 7:00 am and 18:00 pm Monday to Friday; and 12:00 to 18:00 Saturday to Sunday (and bank holidays).

There is no charge on Christmas Day or New Year's Day.

How do I pay the London Congestion Charge?

You can pay the Congestion Charge online via the TFL website or at selected newsagents and petrol stations in the London area.

There are also around 100 blue and red self-service machines in car parks inside the zone. These only accept credit and debit cards, though – no cash.

Regular users can also register for automatic payment (Auto Pay).

Beware of fake Congestion Charge websites that promise to pay TFL on your behalf. They may charge an additional fee for this service – and there is no guarantee they will pass payment on to TFL.

Who is exempt from the London Congestion Charge?

Certain vehicles are not required to pay the Congestion Charge or complete any form of registration with TfL, provided they are officially listed in specific categories by the DVLA. This exemption applies automatically when the vehicle’s taxation class meets the qualifying criteria.

Emergency response vehicles, such as ambulances and fire engines, are included in this group, as long as they are registered with a taxation class of ambulance or fire engine on the day they travel.

NHS vehicles that are already exempt from vehicle tax also fall under this category, meaning they can enter the zone without incurring the charge.

Vehicles used by disabled individuals may also qualify, but only if they are exempt from vehicle tax and registered with a disabled taxation class.

In addition, vehicles designed to transport more than one disabled person, such as community transport services, are covered by the same rules, provided they too are tax‑exempt and recorded with a disabled taxation class.

Do electric cars pay the London Congestion Charge?

Yes, from the end of 2025, electric car drivers have to pay the Congestion Charge. Battery-powered EVs are eligible for a 25% discount if registered for Auto Pay, reducing the fee to £13.50 a day if paid in advance. 

How do I avoid paying the London Congestion Charge?

You can avoid paying the London Congestion Zone Charge by travelling between 18:00 and 7:00 Monday to Friday, and 18:00 to 12:00 Saturday to Sunday (and bank holidays). There is no charge between Christmas Day or New Year's Day, either.

Which cars pay the London Congestion Charge?

Almost all vehicles now have to pay the London Congestion Charge. This includes electric vehicles.

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Can I be fined for not paying the London Congestion Charge?

If you fail to pay by midnight the day after you drive in the C-Charge zone, you’ll receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). The fine is £180, or £90 if paid within 14 days.

How do I pay a London Congestion Charge fine?

Fines can also be paid via the TFL website. You’ll need your PCN and car registration numbers to hand.

Can I appeal a London Congestion Charge fine?

If you think a Congestion Charge fine has been issued unfairly, you can appeal. The reasons stated for making an appeal are:

• You were not the keeper at the time of the contravention
• You had paid the charge
• Your vehicle was exempt
• The vehicle was used or taken without your consent
• You had registered for a 100% discount
• The vehicle was on hire to someone else

However, TFL says it will ‘consider representations made on any other grounds’.

You can challenge the PCN by writing to the following address: Congestion Charging, PO Box 344, Darlington, DL1 9QE.

Alternatively, you can contest the PCN via the TFL website. You have 28 days from the date the PCN was issued to either pay or appeal.

If you have any questions about a PCN, you can telephone 0343 222 3333. Lines are open from 8:00 to 20:00 and calls cost between 2p and 10p per minute from landlines, or 10p and 40p from mobiles.

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When was the London Congestion Charge brought in?

The Congestion Charge was introduced in 2003 by then Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. Initially, it cost £5 a day, but the fee has trebled to £15 a day for most drivers.

A ‘Western Extension’ to the C-Charge zone, covering much of Kensington, Chelsea and Earl’s Court, was introduced in 2007. However, following protests from residents and local businesses, it was eventually removed at the end of 2010.