Congestion Charge and ULEZ rules for vans
A non-compliant van driving into central London during operating hours can face both the Ultra Low Emission Zone charge and the Congestion Charge on the same journey - together over £30 a day. Compliant and electric vans pay significantly less, or nothing at all. Here is how the charges actually apply to vans specifically.
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How much is ULEZ for a van?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone charge is £12.50 a day for vans up to 3.5 tonnes that do not meet Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel emissions standards. Vans that meet these standards pay nothing under ULEZ, regardless of the Congestion Charge.
Most vans registered in the last several years meet Euro 6 as standard, but older diesel vans - particularly those bought secondhand without checking their emissions rating - are the ones most likely to be caught out. A van's age alone is not a reliable guide, since some earlier registrations of a given model met the standard while a nominally newer example of a different variant did not.
Compliance charges are one of several practical differences worth knowing about, and our guide to electric vans in the UK covers range, charging and running costs.
How much is the Congestion Charge for a van?
The standard daily Congestion Charge is £18, applying to all vehicles entering the central London zone during operating hours - 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 12pm to 6pm on weekends and bank holidays. This applies to vans regardless of ULEZ compliance status.
Unlike ULEZ, the Congestion Charge is not based on emissions standard - a fully compliant, brand-new van still pays the standard charge to enter the zone during operating hours, with a discount available for electric vehicles under Auto Pay.
Residents living within the zone can register for a substantial discount on the standard Congestion Charge rate, though this applies to the registered keeper's home address rather than to a borrowed or hired van being driven into the zone temporarily.
London driving brings its own set of van-specific rules beyond charging zones, and our guide to van bus lane rules covers another common source of unexpected fines.
Can I be charged both ULEZ and the Congestion Charge on the same day?
Yes. A non-compliant van entering central London during operating hours can face both charges on the same journey - £12.50 for ULEZ plus £18 for the Congestion Charge, a combined £30.50 for a single day.
A compliant or electric van avoids the ULEZ portion entirely, and electric vans registered for Auto Pay pay a reduced £9 Congestion Charge rather than the full £18 - a meaningful saving for anyone driving into central London regularly.
How do I check if my van is ULEZ compliant?
Check your van's registration on the official Transport for London vehicle checker, which confirms compliance status instantly using the registration plate. Do not rely on the van's age alone - emissions standards varied within model years, and some earlier registrations of a given model can be compliant while later ones of a different spec are not.
Checking before a trip, rather than assuming based on general knowledge of when Euro 6 became common, avoids an unexpected charge or a missed payment penalty for a van you were not aware needed to pay.
What happens if I do not pay?
Failing to pay the Congestion Charge or ULEZ by the deadline - midnight the following charging day - results in a Penalty Charge Notice, significantly more expensive than the original charge itself. Persistent non-payment can escalate to further enforcement action.
If you are driving a borrowed or hired van into a charging zone, check compliance and payment responsibility before the trip - the penalty follows the registered keeper of the vehicle, not necessarily whoever was driving at the time.
What if I only drive through the zone occasionally?
Auto Pay registration is not required for occasional trips. You can pay per trip online, by phone, or via the official app, up to midnight on the charging day following the trip - there is no need to register in advance for a one-off or infrequent journey.
Auto Pay becomes worth setting up mainly if you enter the zone regularly, since it automatically tracks and charges each trip and unlocks the reduced electric van rate under the Congestion Charge - occasional drivers usually find manual payment simpler than registering for a scheme built around frequent use.
Does the charge apply on bank holidays?
The Congestion Charge does not apply on public holidays or between Christmas Day and New Year's Day inclusive, though ULEZ operates every day of the year, including bank holidays and the Christmas period, with no exemption window. Drivers sometimes assume both charges pause together over the festive period - only one does.
Checking the exact operating calendar before a specific trip, rather than assuming based on general working days, avoids an unexpected charge on a day that felt like it should be exempt but is not. The official calendar is published well in advance each year, so planning a route around it is straightforward once you know to check rather than assume.
Do other UK cities have similar charges for vans?
Yes. Several UK cities operate their own Clean Air Zones with charges for non-compliant vans, including Birmingham, Bristol, and others, each with its own rates and boundaries. London's ULEZ and Congestion Charge are the best known, but not the only schemes a van driver may encounter.
Whatever van you are driving for a specific trip into a charging zone, temporary van insurance covers you in your own name on a borrowed or hired vehicle, separate from the zone charges themselves, which are paid directly rather than through insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How much is ULEZ for a van in London?
£12.50 a day for vans up to 3.5 tonnes that do not meet Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel standards. Compliant vans pay nothing under ULEZ, regardless of the separate Congestion Charge.
Do electric vans pay the London Congestion Charge?
Yes, but at a reduced rate. Electric vans registered for Auto Pay pay £9 rather than the standard £18, and they are automatically ULEZ-exempt as zero-emission vehicles.
Can a van be charged for both ULEZ and the Congestion Charge?
Yes, if it is non-compliant and enters central London during operating hours - £12.50 for ULEZ plus £18 for the Congestion Charge, a combined £30.50 for a single day.
How do I check if my van is ULEZ compliant?
Use the official Transport for London vehicle checker with your registration plate. Do not assume based on the van's age alone, since emissions standards varied within model years and specifications.
Do other UK cities charge vans for emissions?
Yes. Several cities, including Birmingham and Bristol, operate their own Clean Air Zones with charges for non-compliant vans, each with different rates and boundaries from London's ULEZ and Congestion Charge.
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