Cars & Motoring2 min check

ULEZ & Clean Air Zone Checker

A quick eligibility guide for London ULEZ and major UK Clean Air Zones. For final compliance, always check your reg on the official TfL or local council checker.

Short answer

London ULEZ requires Euro 4 petrol (most post-2005) or Euro 6 diesel (most post-September 2015). Non-compliant cars pay £12.50/day across all London boroughs. Other Clean Air Zones operate in Birmingham, Bristol, Bradford, Sheffield, Tyneside, Portsmouth and others — usually charging only buses, taxis and HGVs but Bath, Bristol and Birmingham include cars.

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How it works

We check your fuel type and registration year against Euro 4 (petrol) and Euro 6 (diesel) thresholds. Some pre-threshold cars are still compliant if retro-fitted; some post-threshold cars are not. The TfL checker uses the actual Euro standard from DVLA records.

Worked example

2014 diesel Ford Focus → likely Euro 5, NOT ULEZ-compliant — £12.50/day inside ULEZ. 2008 petrol Volkswagen Golf → Euro 4, compliant.

Who should use this

•Drivers entering London or any UK Clean Air Zone
•Used car buyers checking compliance before purchase
•Visitors planning a trip to London

Common mistakes

×Assuming all post-2015 diesels are compliant (some early Euro 6 weren't certified)
×Not checking neighbouring CAZs (Birmingham, Bristol)
×Forgetting CAZ charges apply 24/7 in many cities — not just weekday peak

Frequently asked questions

How much is the ULEZ charge?▾

£12.50/day for cars/vans, £100/day for lorries. Pay via TfL website/app within 3 days.

What if I don't pay?▾

£180 Penalty Charge Notice (£90 if paid within 14 days).

Are EVs and hybrids exempt?▾

EVs always compliant. Hybrids comply if their petrol/diesel engine meets Euro 4/6 — usually yes.

Related calculators

Car Tax (VED) →Running Costs →Fuel vs EV →