London Congestion Charge 2026
Updated with the latest TfL changes — live charge checker, new £18 daily fee, EV discounts and more.
The London Congestion Charge is a daily fee for driving a motor vehicle within the Central London Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ). Introduced in February 2003 and operated by Transport for London (TfL), it covers approximately 1.3 square miles of central London, bounded roughly by the Inner Ring Road.
Key areas inside the zone include the City of London, Mayfair, Westminster, Soho, Covent Garden, Fitzrovia, Clerkenwell and Elephant & Castle.
| Day | Charged Hours | Standard Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 07:00 – 18:00 | £18.00 |
| Saturday | 12:00 – 18:00 | £18.00 |
| Sunday | 12:00 – 18:00 | £18.00 |
| Bank Holidays | 12:00 – 18:00 | £18.00 |
| Christmas Day – New Year's Day | No charge (25 Dec – 1 Jan inclusive) | Free |
You can pay on the day of travel, up to 90 days in advance, or within 3 days after travel — but the late rate is £21 instead of £18. There is no longer a single-day grace period extension.
The previous 100% exemption for electric vehicles has ended. A new tiered discount system now applies, and it is only available to vehicles registered on Auto Pay.
Electric cars: 25% discount — pay £13.50/day (instead of £18) when registered on Auto Pay
Electric vans, HGVs & quadricycles: 50% discount — pay £9/day (instead of £18) when registered on Auto Pay
Without Auto Pay registration, no discount applies and the full £18 is charged. To get the discount, set up a London Road User Charging Auto Pay account and add your electric vehicle — no separate application needed.
Electric car clubs: A new 100% discount applies to electric car club vehicles that are picked up and returned to the same bay within the CCZ. Car clubs with eligible back-to-base vehicles should contact TfL directly.
Note on non-UK registered EVs: Non-UK electric vehicles must be registered with TfL and on Auto Pay before the discount can apply. There is no fee to register.
| Category | Discount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electric cars (on Auto Pay) | 25% — pay £13.50 | Must register vehicle on TfL Auto Pay account |
| Electric vans, HGVs, quadricycles (on Auto Pay) | 50% — pay £9.00 | Must register vehicle on TfL Auto Pay account |
| Electric car club vehicles (back-to-base, same bay) | 100% exempt | Contact TfL to register as eligible car club |
| CCZ Residents (existing discount holders) | 90% — pay £1.80 | Must renew annually; applies to all vehicle types for existing holders |
| Blue Badge holders | Exempt | No changes to this discount |
| 9+ seater vehicles | Exempt | No changes |
| Accredited breakdown & recovery vehicles | Exempt | No changes |
| Motorcycles & mopeds | 100% exempt | All registered two-wheeled vehicles |
| Emergency services | 100% exempt | Police, fire, ambulance |
| Military vehicles | 100% exempt | Certain Crown vehicles |
| Disabled tax class vehicles | 100% exempt | Must register with TfL |
The current 90% Residents' Discount (£1.80/day) is changing for new applicants from 1 March 2027. Existing holders are protected.
| Who | From March 2027 |
|---|---|
| Existing discount holders | Keep 90% discount for all vehicle types (including non-electric) as long as the discount is renewed each year |
| New applicants | 90% discount only available for electric vehicles |
| New applicants on certain benefits | Can apply to include non-electric vehicles if they apply before 4 March 2030 |
Eligible benefits for non-electric vehicle inclusion: Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, State Pension Credit, Universal Credit.
The zone is bounded roughly by the Inner Ring Road — passing through Elephant & Castle (south), Vauxhall (south-west), Edgware Road (west), Euston Road (north), and Old Street / City Road (east). Always use TfL's official map to confirm whether your journey passes through the zone, as the boundary is irregular.
| Scenario | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pay on day of travel (standard) | £18.00 |
| Pay within 3 days after travel | £21.00 |
| Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) issued | £160.00 |
| PCN paid within 14 days (50% reduction) | £80.00 |
| PCN unpaid — escalated | £240.00 |
TfL enforces using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras throughout the zone. All entries and exits are logged and checked against the payment database.
Disclaimer: JamCams.co.uk is not affiliated with or endorsed by Transport for London (TfL). Information is provided for general guidance only. Always check the official TfL website at tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge for the most up-to-date information before travelling.
The London Congestion Charge applies:
Outside these hours, there is no charge for any vehicle. The charge is £18 per day regardless of how long you spend in the zone or how many times you enter.
No — electric cars are no longer automatically exempt from the London Congestion Charge. The 100% electric vehicle discount was removed in June 2025. All vehicles — including electric cars, hybrids and plug-in hybrids — must pay £18/day unless they qualify under another exemption (disabled persons, NHS, etc.). Check tfl.gov.uk for current exemptions.
The Congestion Charge is £18 per day. This covers unlimited entries and re-entries on the same day within the charged hours. You can pay online at tfl.gov.uk, via the TfL app, by phone, or by registering for Auto Pay (which gives a small daily discount). Failure to pay by midnight on the third day after travel results in a £180 PCN (reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days).
On Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays the charge is the same — £18 per day — but only applies from 12:00 (noon) to 18:00. Driving in the zone before noon or after 18:00 on weekends is free.
No — Clapham, Stockwell, Nine Elms, Battersea and most of South London are outside the Congestion Charge zone. The zone covers roughly the area inside the Inner Ring Road — from Pentonville Road in the north to Elephant & Castle in the south, and from Park Lane in the west to Aldgate in the east. Check the TfL zone map to confirm your specific address.
If you drive in the zone during charge hours without paying, you will receive a £180 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). This is reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. Cameras using ANPR technology record all vehicles entering the zone. There is no grace period — cameras operate automatically.