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Use our free ULEZ car check to see whether your vehicle is allowed to drive in London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone without paying the daily charge. Simply enter your registration number, and we’ll help you check ULEZ compliance using vehicle data linked to TFL standards. Our tool uses official DVLA and TFL data to help assess whether your vehicle meets the required emissions rules.
Our ULEZ compliance checker is useful before a trip into Greater London, buying a used car, or confirming whether a petrol, diesel, hybrid, van, or EV meets the required emissions rules.
With My Car Reg Check, you can quickly:
- Check ULEZ status by reg plate
- See whether your vehicle is likely to be ULEZ compliant
- Decide if you need a deeper vehicle history check
Is your car ULEZ compliant?
Our ULEZ-compliant check looks at the vehicle’s declared Euro emissions standard, not age alone. To check if a car is ULEZ compliant, enter your number plate, and we’ll help confirm whether it meets the rules for the London zone.
Most petrol cars need the Euro 4 emissions standard, while most diesel cars need the Euro 6 emissions standard. A diesel vehicle first registered after September 2015 is often compliant, but the safest option is to check the vehicle data before you travel.
Some older cars may still qualify, and some newer imports may need extra care, so don’t rely on guesswork.
What are the ULEZ standards?
ULEZ standards are based on the Euro emissions level recorded for your vehicle, not just the year it was made. In simple terms, compliant vehicles meet the minimum emissions rules set for their fuel type and vehicle class, so they can drive in the Ultra Low Emission Zone without needing to pay a daily charge.
If you drive in Greater London or are buying a used car, our ULEZ zone checker can help you quickly verify compliance using the number plate. However, larger vehicles such as trucks, buses, coaches, and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes may fall under London’s LEZ rules instead of ULEZ.
Euro 4 checker (for petrol cars)
Most petrol cars need to meet Euro 4 standards to avoid the ULEZ charge. Many petrol cars registered from January 2006 meet this requirement, but the registration date alone is not proof.
A proper check looks at the vehicle’s recorded emissions details, which is why it is safer to use a ULEZ check car reg tool before travelling.
Euro 6 checker (for diesel cars)
Diesel cars are held to stricter ULEZ standards because they usually produce higher NOx emissions. Most diesel cars need to meet Euro 6 standards, which generally apply to vehicles first registered from 1 September 2015.
ULEZ compliance for electric cars and hybrid cars
Fully electric cars are currently exempt from ULEZ charges. Hybrid cars are different because they still have a petrol or diesel engine.
A petrol-hybrid usually needs to meet Euro 4 standards, while a diesel-hybrid usually needs Euro 6 standards. This is where a check can also help verify the vehicle's emissions and fuel economy before you buy or drive into the zone.
ULEZ compliance for vans and motorcycles
Vans follow the same basic rules as cars: petrol vans usually need Euro 4, while diesel vans usually need Euro 6. Motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles, and similar vehicles usually need to meet Euro 3 standards.
If you use a van for work, it is worth checking before every London job, especially if the vehicle is older or has been recently purchased.
What area does ULEZ cover?
ULEZ now covers all London boroughs across Greater London, up to but not including the M25 motorway. This means the M25 itself is not part of the zone, but many roads inside it are.
The current boundary has been applied since August 2023, when the zone expanded beyond the earlier area around the North and South Circular roads. If your journey takes you into any London borough, it is worth doing a quick ULEZ-free car check before you travel.
How much is the ULEZ charge?
The ULEZ charge is £12.50 per day for most non-compliant cars, vans, motorcycles, and light commercial vehicles. It applies 24 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day.
The daily charge applies from midnight to midnight, so even a short trip inside the zone can count. Some heavier vehicles may need to pay the LEZ charge instead, which can be £100 per day, so always check ULEZ-compliant status before driving into London.
How do I pay the ULEZ charge?
You can pay the ULEZ charge through TFL’s official Pay to drive in London service. You can make a one-off payment online, use the TFL Pay to Drive app, or set up Auto Pay if you drive in the clean air zone often.
The deadline is midnight on the third day after your journey, so it is best not to leave it until the last minute. Before paying, check your vehicle’s ULEZ status first, as compliant vehicles do not need to pay the £12.50 daily charge.
What happens if I don't pay the ULEZ charge?
If your vehicle does not meet ULEZ standards and you do not pay on time, TFL may issue a Penalty Charge Notice. For cars, vans, motorcycles, motor tricycles, and mopeds up to 3.5 tonnes, the PCN is £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
ULEZ is enforced by ANPR cameras, so you will not usually be stopped at the roadside. You can pay or challenge a fine through TFL’s official ULEZ penalty charges page if you receive a notice.
ULEZ vs Congestion Charge Zone
ULEZ and the Congestion Charge Zone are separate London road charges. A car can be ULEZ compliant and still need to pay the Congestion Charge if it enters Central London during charging hours.
| What to check | ULEZ | Congestion Charge Zone |
| Main purpose | Controls vehicle emissions | Manages traffic in Central London |
| Area | Greater London | Central London only |
| Hours | 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day | 07:00–18:00 Monday to Friday, 12:00–18:00 weekends and bank holidays |
| Who pays | Drivers of non-compliant vehicles, unless exempt | Most vehicles entering during charging hours, unless exempt or discounted |
| Typical charge | £12.50 for most non-compliant cars, vans, motorcycles, and small specialist vehicles | £18 daily charge from 2 January 2026 |
- Useful tip: A petrol car that meets Euro 4 is usually ULEZ compliant, but that does not automatically mean it is exempt from the Congestion Charge. If you’re driving into Central London, check TFL’s Congestion Charge discounts and exemptions before you travel.
A car tax calculator can help with tax costs, but it does not replace a ULEZ compliance check.
ULEZ for Non-UK Registered Vehicles
Non-UK-registered vehicles are not automatically exempt from ULEZ. If you are visiting London in a foreign-registered car, van, motorbike, or motorhome, your vehicle must meet the same emissions standards as a UK vehicle, or you’ll need to pay the daily charge. According to TFL, non-UK vehicles should be registered with them before driving in London, and processing can take up to 10 working days.
If your vehicle meets the rules, you’ll need to provide proof of its emissions standard before TFL can mark it as compliant. Until that confirmation is accepted, you should still pay the charge to avoid a Penalty Charge Notice, though, according to TFL, refunds may be available after approval.
For foreign imports that now have a UK registration, it is still worth checking the vehicle data carefully. While a vehicle tax band check can help you understand tax costs linked to emissions, it should not be treated as the same thing as confirmed ULEZ compliance.
FAQs about London's ULEZ
How do I find out if my car is ULEZ compliant?
The safest way is to check your car by reg plate rather than guessing from its age. ULEZ compliance is based on the vehicle’s recorded Euro emissions standard.
As a general guide, petrol cars usually need to meet Euro 4 standards, while diesel cars usually need to meet Euro 6 standards. Some vehicles can be exceptions, so it is best to run a proper ULEZ check before driving into Greater London.
Which vehicles are exempt from ULEZ charges?
Vehicles that meet the ULEZ emissions rules can drive in the zone without paying the charge. This usually includes petrol vehicles that meet Euro 4, diesel vehicles that meet Euro 6, motorcycles that meet Euro 3, and fully electric vehicles.
There are also some exemptions for specific vehicle types, such as certain historic vehicles, wheelchair accessible vehicles, and specialist vehicles. If your vehicle is imported, unusual, or has recently changed tax class, it’s worth checking before you travel rather than assuming it is exempt.
What emissions standard does my motorcycle need for ULEZ?
Most motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles, and quadricycles need to meet Euro 3 standards to be ULEZ compliant. Many bikes registered from July 2007 meet this, but older bikes may still qualify if their emissions data proves they meet the limit.
Fully electric motorcycles should not need to pay the ULEZ charge. If you’re unsure, check the reg before riding into the zone.
Does my van need to pay ULEZ, LEZ, or the Congestion Charge?
It depends on your van’s weight, fuel type, emissions standard, and where you’re driving. Most petrol vans need Euro 4 for ULEZ, while most diesel vans need Euro 6.
If your van is over 3.5 tonnes, LEZ rules may apply. And if you drive into Central London during Congestion Charge hours, you may still need to pay the Congestion Charge, even if your van is ULEZ-compliant.
