How does the London Congestion Charge work?
The Congestion Charge is a daily charge for driving inside a defined central London zone during charging hours. It is a traffic measure, so it applies regardless of how clean the vehicle is.
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How it works
Number plate cameras record entry, and payment is made online, by auto pay or by phone within the published window. Residents' discounts and exemptions exist and must be registered in advance.
Commonly mixed up with
Paying the Congestion Charge does not cover ULEZ, and paying ULEZ does not cover the Congestion Charge.
How does the London Congestion Charge work?
| Knowledge, London | Big city topics |
|---|---|
| Short answer | The Congestion Charge is a daily charge for driving inside a defined central London zone during charging hours. It is a traffic measure, so it applies regardless of how clean the vehicle is. |
| How it works | Number plate cameras record entry, and payment is made online, by auto pay or by phone within the published window. Residents' discounts and exemptions exist and must be registered in advance. |
| Commonly mixed up with | Paying the Congestion Charge does not cover ULEZ, and paying ULEZ does not cover the Congestion Charge. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- What are the hours?
- Transport for London publishes the charging days and hours.
- Is there a residents' discount?
- A discount exists for eligible residents and must be registered.
- Are electric vehicles exempt?
- Exemptions are published and change over time.
- What if I pay late?
- A penalty charge applies after the payment window.
- Where do I pay?
- Only through the official Transport for London route.
Sources
More in this track
These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
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