Congestion zone charge
If you're planning on driving through London, you'll probably be affected by the Congestion Zone Charge.
What is the congestion charge?
The congestion charge is a £8 daily charge to drive in central London between 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays. It's designed to reduce traffic and raise money to improve transport in London.
There are no barriers or toll booths on the boundary to the zone and you don't have to show any tickets or passes. The zone's monitored by cameras, which record all vehicle number plates and determine whether the charge has been paid. They recognise both British and European number plates.
Where and when does it operate?
The congestion charging zone operates across the centre of London between 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday. There is no charge outside these times, at weekends or on Public Holidays.
There are certain roads you can use to get through central London without paying. The zone’s clearly indicated by road markings and signs.
To see a map of where the congestion charge operates, visit London Congestion Charge (www.cclondon.com/download/wez_A3Map.pdf).
How much does it cost?
Unless you're a disabled visitor holding a Blue Badge, everyone has to pay £8 per day. You can drive in and out of the zone as many times as you like during that day on one £8 payment.
You can pay on a daily or weekly basis. All payments must be in UK currency. You can pay it up to 90 days before you arrive in London.
You don't have to pay before you drive into the zone but you must pay before 00:00 (midnight) on that day to avoid penalty charges. The charge is £8 if you pay by 00:00 on the day you enter the congestion zone, or £10 if you pay by 00:00 the following day.
How to Pay
The easiest way to pay is at Congestion Charge (https://www.cclondon.com/secure/dynamicpages/WF_PurchaseLicence_W.aspx) or by phone on +44 (0)20 7649 9122, or Minicom +44 (0)20 7649 9123 using credit/debit cards. MasterCard and Visa cards are accepted - American Express and Diners Club aren't.
You'll need to provide your vehicle registration number, the date(s) you would like to pay the charge for, and your credit/debit card details. Keep a note of the receipt number as proof of payment.
You can also pay at special self-service machines in major car parks, at selected petrol stations and at numerous shops displaying the congestion charging sign.
Penalty Charges
If you pay the charge before 00:00 (midnight) on the day that you enter the congestion charging zone, there is no penalty charge. You simply pay the £8 standard charge.
If you pay the charge between 00:00 (midnight) on the day you enter the zone and 00:00 the following day, you will be charged an additional £2 penalty (a total of £10).
If the charge is not paid by 00:00 (midnight) on day after you enter the zone, you will be sent a £100 Penalty Charge Notice. This will be reduced to £50 if you pay within 14 days. Failure to pay the penalty charge within 28 days will result in the penalty being increased to £150.
Penalty Charge Notices will be sent to the residence of the car owner or the rental car company, even if that's in Europe.
If you would like further information on congestion charging or how to plan your journey in London, visit London Congestion Charge (www.cclondon.com).
Rental cars
Some hire companies include the Congestion Charge in the cost of the rental, but you need to check with the company concerned whether they will pay - or they expect you to pay.
Disabled drivers
If you are a disabled visitor holding a European Blue Badge (www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/DG_4001061), you don't have to pay the congestion charge provided that you register with Transport for London (www.cclondon.com/exemptions.shtml) and make a payment of £10. Disabled visitors from outside the European Union and those from inside the European Union that do not have a Blue Badge do not qualify for this exemption and will have to pay the £8 daily charge.
This exemption is valid for one year, after which it must be renewed. Therefore, to be cost-effective, you should only apply for the exemption if you will be driving in central London for more than one day per year.
You may register up to two vehicles if you are using your own car while visiting London. Once registered, you are also able to nominate vehicles that you will use on a temporary basis while in London (e.g. rental cars) for the discount. Further details of how to do this can be found on the Blue Badge holder discount registration form.
How to register
If you qualify for the 100% discount, you need to register by completing a Blue Badge holder discount registration form. The form is available at Congestion Charge (www.cclondon.com/exemptions.shtml) or by calling +44 (020) 7649 9122. If you are hearing impaired, the Minicom number to call is +44 (0)20 7649 9123.
Once you have completed this form, you must attach a photocopy of your Blue Badge (both sides) and a photocopy of your passport and send it with the £10 payment to:
Congestion Charging
PO Box 2982
Coventry CV7 8WR
United Kingdom
Once your registration form and £10 payment has been received, you will be sent a letter confirming that your application has been accepted. Your 100% discount only starts when you receive this letter. Therefore, you should register at least three weeks before travelling to Britain.
If you would like further information on congestion charging or how to plan your journey in London, contact:
Transport for London
Tel. +44 (0)20 7649 9122
Access & Mobility Unit email: access&mobility@tfl.gov.uk
London Travel Information email: travinfo@tfl.gov.uk
For more information on accessibility in Britain, visit our People with physical & sensory needs section.