Don’t get caught out by unexpected fines this bank holiday – here’s everything you need to know about ULEZ compliant
A CAR EXPERT has revealed everything you need to avoid unexpected fines this bank holiday in Low Emission Zones.
Clean Air Zones, or CAZes, are popping up all over the UK, and private passenger car drivers could face charges in Bristol, Birmingham, London and Scottish cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The ULEZ area is expanding on August 29 this year, imposing more daily charges on non-compliant cars that inadvertently drive through the zone.
Designed to improve air quality in London by limiting polluting vehicles, the area originally only applied to central London, but currently encompasses the area within the North and South Circular Roads - and soon it will encompass all of Greater London.
Before you drive into a Low Emission Zone and run the risk of paying the ULEZ charge, you can see if your car is compliant with an online checker.
If your car is exempt, you won’t have to pay the charge.
READ MORE IN ULEZ
But you may have to inform Transport for London and provide proof that your car meets the regulations
Petrol cars must meet Euro 4 standards, which effectively means any petrol car made after January 2006, but be sure to check before driving into London.
And diesel cars that meet Euro 6 standards are ULEZ compliant, which generally applies to any car made after September 2015, but again, you should always double-check.
Fortunately, electric cars, as zero-emission vehicles, are exempt from the ULEZ charge.
Most read in Motors
However, classic cars may be exempt from the ULEZ, too, if they fall into the historical vehicle tax class.
This generally applies to any vehicle built more than 40 years ago.
But you may also have to register your vehicle to ensure it is not charged.
This exemption also applies to any vehicles used for commercial purposes that are over 40 years old.
Any car that is not ULEZ exempt will need to pay the charge of £12.50 per day - and it doesn’t matter if you are driving through London on the way from Luton to Wandsworth or if you live in Brent and are simply driving to the shops, the charge applies every day you use a non-compliant car within the ULEZ zone.
And if you don't pay, the ULEZ charge results in a £180 fine, which increased by £20 up from £160 in January 2023.
But, when it’s paid within fourteen days, the penalty reduces to £90.
This comes after a car expert revealed how to avoid the ULEZ areas with Google Maps.
Plus, Sadiq Khan's plans to expand the hated ULEZ zones across London could be thwarted - raising hope for hard-up drivers.