Driving charges in London
The five charges that affect driving in and around London — rates, hours, and where they apply. Verified against current TfL and National Highways guidance.
£18per day (rose from £15 on 2 Jan 2026)
WhenMon–Fri 07:00–18:00
Sat, Sun & bank holidays 12:00–18:00
WhereBounded roughly by Marylebone Road, Tower Bridge, Old Street and Vauxhall (the Inner Ring Road).
ExemptionsFree overnight, and between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Motorbikes, mopeds and Blue Badge holders don’t pay. The 100% electric-vehicle discount ended 25 December 2025 — from 2 Jan 2026 electric cars on Auto Pay get 25% off (about £13.50), electric vans and HGVs 50% (about £9). Zone residents keep a 90% discount.
How to payTfL Auto Pay, the Pay To Drive app, or online by midnight on the third day after travel. Pay in the three days after travelling and it rises to £21.
£12.50per day for non-compliant vehicles
When24 hours, every day except Christmas Day
WhereGreater London out to (but not including) the M25 — since 29 August 2023.
ExemptionsMost petrol cars Euro 4 (≈2005+) and diesel cars Euro 6 (≈Sept 2015+) are compliant and pay nothing. Check your number plate on tfl.gov.uk. Unlike the Congestion Charge, the ULEZ rate is staying at £12.50.
How to payTfL Auto Pay or online. Pay before midnight on the third day after travel.
£100–£300per day · heavy diesel vehicles only
WhereSame boundary as ULEZ. Targets lorries, coaches and the heaviest diesel vans.
ExemptionsCars, motorbikes and most vans are not affected by LEZ — they fall under ULEZ instead.
How to payTfL Auto Pay or online.
£1.50 / £4off-peak / peak — cars on Auto Pay
WhenCharged 06:00–22:00 daily
Free 22:00–06:00 and on Christmas Day
WherePeak hours: northbound 06:00–10:00, southbound 16:00–19:00, weekdays only. Pay-as-you-go without Auto Pay is £4 at all times.
ExemptionsBuses, coaches, taxis and wheelchair-accessible PHVs are exempt, and the Rotherhithe Tunnel is still free. Low-income residents of 13 nearby boroughs get 50% off, NHS patients can reclaim charges, and small firms in Newham, Tower Hamlets and Greenwich can claim £1 off the off-peak rate.
How to payTfL Auto Pay (cheapest) or online by midnight on the third day after travel. Without Auto Pay it’s the £4 peak rate at all times. Motorbikes £1.50/£2.50 · large vans £2.50/£6.50 · HGVs £5/£10.
£3.50per crossing · car (£2.80 on a prepay account)
WhenCharged 06:00–22:00 every day
Free 22:00–06:00 and on Christmas Day
WhereM25 between Dartford (Kent) and Thurrock (Essex) — tunnels northbound, QEII Bridge southbound. Run by National Highways, not TfL, so it’s separate from every London charge.
ExemptionsMotorcycles cross free. No toll booths — ANPR cameras read your plate. Dartford & Thurrock residents (DA and RM postcodes) can buy a £25/year unlimited pass. Rates rose 40% on 1 September 2025, so older quotes are out of date.
How to payPay by 11:59pm the day after crossing at gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge, by app, or by phone (0300 300 0120). Two-axle vans £4.20, multi-axle HGVs £8.40. No daily cap on pay-as-you-go.