Environmental security

London's Ultra Low Emission Zone: what you need to know

London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will come into force on Monday 8 April, affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles driving through the capital – and other cities, including Birmingham, Manchester and Oxford, are set to follow.

The new scheme, which was introduced by London mayor Sadiq Khan as a way to improve air quality for millions of Londoners, will charge older, more polluting vehicles to enter the city centre. It replaces the T-Charge, which began in 2017.

If you regularly drive through London or are simply planning a visit, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about the ULEZ and whether your car is affected.

How does the ULEZ work?

Initially, the ULEZ will comprise the area already covered by the Congestion Charge. The boundary will then be expanded in October 2021 to include the entire area inside the North Circular and South Circular roads.

Road signs at every entry point along the boundary will indicate the start of the ULEZ, and they will sit alongside or below existing Congestion Charge signs. You can see a map of the zone below or use the Transport for London (TfL) postcode checker to see if your destination falls inside the ULEZ.