Is my car ULEZ compliant? How to check
THE expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone has received strong backlash from drivers who are now at risk of having to pay a daily charge to drive their normal routes.
The environmental policy originally started in the very centre of London but now covers all Greater London boroughs.
What is ULEZ?
The ULEZ policy was introduced in 2019 in a bid to cut pollution in the city of London.
ULEZ fines drivers of motors that do not meet certain emissions standards, encouraging drivers to use vehicles that meet the requirements.
Modern, environmentally-efficient cars are allowed to enter the Ultra Low Emission Zones without having to pay a charge.
The policy also urges members of the public to think twice about how they travel, asking them to consider using public transport, or walking or cycling to their destinations.
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At the end of July 2023, plans to expand the ULEZ were ruled lawful by the High Court.
The expansion was then put in place from August 29, 2023.
The money made from the ULEZ charge is being reinvested into making London's air cleaner and improving transport networks across the city.
What cars are allowed in ULEZ?
Vehicles that don't meet certain standards need to pay a daily £12.50 charge to enter ULEZ, but all cars are allowed in the zones.
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Petrol cars, as well as vans, minibuses and some other specialist vehicles that run on petrol, must meet Euro 4 emission standards.
These standards were introduced in 2006, meaning most petrol cars first registered in 2006 or later will be able to enter the ULEZ for free.
Diesel cars, however, have to meet the more rigid Euro 6 standards, which were introduced in 2015.
This means that only diesel cars first registered in 2015 and onwards will be exempt from the ULEZ charge.
The rules are slightly different for motorcycles as they must meet Euro 3 emissions standards, which were introduced in 2007.
All vehicles constructed before January 1, 1973, are exempt from the ULEZ charge.
All fully electric cars are also exempt from the ULEZ charge but hybrids must follow the same guidance set for standard petrol or diesel vehicles.
You could face a £160 fine if your vehicle is not compliant and you forget - or fail - to pay the ULEZ charge.
How do I check if my vehicle is ULEZ compliant?
Drivers can use the to verify whether or not they need to pay the charge when driving in their vehicle.
There is also a website, in partnership with the DVLA, dedicated to checking if vehicles are ULEZ compliant.
This site can be found at .
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To check, drivers just enter their vehicle's registration number and the website will tell them whether or not they need to pay the charge.
According to , nine out of ten cars driving in outer London already meet the ULEZ emissions standards.