£15
Daily charge for most vehicles
As of June 2026. Verify at TfL for the current rate — this has increased before.
90%
Residents discount
People who live within the zone can apply for a 90% discount, paying £1.50/day instead of £15.
£160
Penalty charge if you don't pay
Reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days. Verify at TfL for current figures.
What the Congestion Charge is
The Congestion Charge is a daily fee for driving a vehicle within the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) in central London. It is operated by Transport for London (TfL) and exists to reduce traffic volumes in the busiest part of the capital.
The current charge is £15 per day (verify at TfL for the current figure). It applies to almost all vehicles regardless of their emission standard. A brand-new electric car and a 20-year-old diesel pay the same amount. The charge is flat and based on entering the zone, not on the type of vehicle. This is the key difference from ULEZ, which is based entirely on your vehicle's emissions.
The Congestion Charge and ULEZ are separate schemes run by the same organisation. In the area where both apply — roughly central London within the Congestion Charge Zone — you can owe both on the same day. Paying the Congestion Charge does not exempt you from ULEZ.
Operating hours
The Congestion Charge does not apply all day. It operates during specific hours. As of June 2026, the charge applies Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 6pm. It does not apply on Christmas Day or on the Tuesday following Easter Monday. Outside these hours, you can drive in the zone without paying the daily charge.
TfL has changed the operating hours before, most recently expanding them significantly in 2020. Verify the current hours at tfl.gov.uk before travelling, particularly if you are planning a journey outside what you expect the charge hours to be.
The Congestion Charge Zone
The CCZ covers central London, roughly bounded by the City of London, Westminster, and parts of Kensington and Chelsea. It is significantly smaller than the ULEZ zone, which covers all 32 London boroughs.
The exact boundary follows specific roads. TfL publishes a zone map at tfl.gov.uk. If you are unfamiliar with central London, use TfL's journey planner to check whether a specific route goes through the zone.
Driving around the boundary rather than through the zone is possible for many journeys but adds time and distance. For regular visitors, Auto Pay is the simpler approach.
How to pay
There are two main approaches: Auto Pay and daily payment.
Auto Pay. Register your vehicle with TfL and the charge is collected automatically each day you drive in the zone. You receive a monthly statement. Auto Pay costs the same daily amount as paying manually, but it removes the risk of forgetting to pay and receiving a penalty notice. For anyone who drives in London more than a few times a year, Auto Pay is the sensible default.
Daily payment. You can pay for each day online at TfL, by phone, or by text. Payment must be made by midnight on the day of travel, or by midnight the next charging day in certain circumstances. Check TfL for the current payment window.
If you hire a car, the hire company may register the vehicle and charge the fee back to you, often with a handling charge on top. Check your hire agreement.
Set up Auto Pay if you drive in London regularly
Auto Pay costs the same as paying daily. The difference is you cannot forget. A missed daily payment costs you a £160 Penalty Charge Notice. Setting up Auto Pay takes a few minutes at TfL and gives you a monthly record of every charge, which is also useful if you want to dispute anything.
The 90% residents discount
People who live within the Congestion Charge Zone can apply for a 90% discount on the daily charge. At the current rate of £15/day, that means paying £1.50 instead. The discount must be applied for each year, it does not renew automatically.
The discount is available to residents of properties within the zone boundary. You apply through TfL using your address and vehicle registration. Check TfL for the current eligibility rules and application process.
Exemptions
The exemptions are narrower than many people assume.
Electric vehicles. The Congestion Charge exemption for electric vehicles ended. EVs now pay the standard daily charge. This is a significant change from the early years of the scheme when EVs drove free. Verify the current position at TfL, as the rules around EVs have changed more than once.
Disabled tax class vehicles. Some vehicles registered in the disabled tax class may be exempt. The specific rules have changed. Check TfL's current list before assuming you qualify.
Motorcycles and mopeds. Motorcycles and mopeds are currently exempt from the daily charge. Verify at TfL for the current position.
Residents of the zone. Eligible residents pay the discounted rate rather than being fully exempt.
NHS staff, emergency vehicles, military vehicles. Check TfL for current exemption status by vehicle type.
What happens if you don't pay
If you do not pay by the deadline, TfL issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £160. Pay within 14 days and it reduces to £80. Ignore it and the penalty escalates. TfL will pursue the charge through the courts if necessary.
TfL's camera network covers the zone boundary and reads every plate that enters. The system is automated. Thinking that no one noticed is not a defence.
ULEZ and the Congestion Charge: both apply in central London
The two schemes overlap in central London. Driving a non-compliant older car into the Congestion Charge Zone means potentially paying both: £12.50 for ULEZ and £15 for the Congestion Charge, up to £27.50 on the same day.
ULEZ applies everywhere in Greater London. The Congestion Charge only applies in the smaller central zone, during operating hours.
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Common questions about the Congestion Charge
What is the Congestion Charge Zone?▾
The CCZ is a defined area of central London, roughly covering the City of London, Westminster, and parts of Kensington and Chelsea. It is much smaller than the ULEZ zone, which covers all 32 London boroughs. A zone map is available at tfl.gov.uk.
What hours does the Congestion Charge operate?▾
The Congestion Charge operates Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 6pm as of June 2026. It does not apply on Christmas Day. TfL has changed the hours before — check tfl.gov.uk for the current operating times before travelling.
How do I pay the Congestion Charge?▾
Online at TfL, by phone, or by setting up Auto Pay. Auto Pay collects the charge automatically each day you drive in the zone and is the most practical option for regular visitors. If paying manually, you must pay by midnight on the day of travel (or the next charging day in some cases — check TfL for current rules).
What happens if I forget to pay?▾
A Penalty Charge Notice of £160 is issued. Pay within 14 days and it reduces to £80. After 14 days, the full £160 is owed. Continuing to ignore it leads to escalating enforcement. Setting up Auto Pay removes the risk of forgetting entirely.
Is my electric car exempt from the Congestion Charge?▾
No longer, as of the end of the EV exemption period. Electric vehicles now pay the standard daily charge. The exemption that existed in the scheme's earlier years has ended. Verify the current position at TfL, as the rules have changed several times.
I live in the zone — can I get a discount?▾
Yes. Residents of properties within the Congestion Charge Zone are eligible for a 90% discount, paying £1.50/day instead of £15. You must apply through TfL using your address and vehicle registration. The discount must be renewed annually.
Is the Congestion Charge the same as ULEZ?▾
No. They are separate schemes. ULEZ covers all of Greater London, operates 24/7, and charges you based on whether your vehicle meets an emission standard. The Congestion Charge covers a smaller central zone, operates during specific hours, and charges a flat daily fee regardless of what you drive. Both are run by TfL. In the overlap area, you can owe both.
Does it apply to motorcycles?▾
Motorcycles and mopeds are currently exempt from the Congestion Charge. This is one area where ULEZ and the Congestion Charge differ: motorcycles that do not meet Euro 3 must still pay ULEZ, but are currently exempt from the Congestion Charge. Verify at TfL, as exemptions can change.
What is Auto Pay and should I use it?▾
Auto Pay registers your vehicle with TfL so the daily charge is collected automatically each time you drive in the zone. You get a monthly statement. The cost per day is the same as paying manually. The advantage: you cannot forget to pay and trigger a £160 penalty. If you drive in London more than a few times a year, Auto Pay is the sensible option.
Can I pay for someone else's vehicle?▾
You can pay for a single day's travel for another vehicle through TfL's daily payment option. You would need the vehicle's registration number and payment details. For regular use, the vehicle owner would need to set up Auto Pay or pay for each journey themselves.
Related pages
- →ULEZThe separate emissions-based charge covering all of Greater London. Often confused with the Congestion Charge.
- →Road taxRoad tax is a separate obligation. Every vehicle needs it regardless of where you drive.
- →Free DVLA vehicle checkCheck any vehicle's tax and MOT status free at GOV.UK.
- →Full MOT guideWhat the MOT covers, how to book, and what to do if you fail.