How Much Is Congestion Charge – 2025 Costs, Payment & Exemptions
Driving into central London comes with a daily fee known as the Congestion Charge. As of 2025, the standard cost is £18 if paid on time, with a higher rate of £21 for late payments. This guide breaks down the current prices, payment methods, deadlines, and key exemptions, including the upcoming changes for electric vehicles.
What is the current Congestion Charge cost?
£18 (pay in advance/same day) / £21 (pay within 3 days)
Free until 25 Dec 2025; then £13.50 on Auto Pay or £18 standard
Mon–Fri 7am–6pm; Sat/Sun/Bank Hol 12pm–6pm
Central London Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ)
- The Congestion Charge is £18 if paid in advance or on the day – this is the most common price point.
- Paying after travel costs £3 extra (£21), but only allowed up to 3 days later.
- Electric vehicles are currently exempt until December 2025, after which they must pay the standard rate, or a reduced £13.50 if registered for Auto Pay.
- The charge applies on weekends and bank holidays, with a later start time (12pm).
- Transport for London (TfL) states the daily charge is £18.
- For electric cars on Auto Pay after 25 December 2025, the rate is £13.50; for electric vans, HGVs, and quadricycles on Auto Pay, it is £9.
- Existing Residents’ Discount holders pay £1.80 a day.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Charge amount | £18 (paid same day or in advance) / £21 (paid within 3 days) |
| Payment deadline | Midnight of the third day after travel |
| Electric cars | Free until 25 December 2025; then standard or reduced Auto Pay rate |
| Operating days | Monday–Sunday including bank holidays |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 7am–6pm; Sat–Sun 12pm–6pm |
| Zone | Central London Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) |
| How to pay | TfL website, phone, app, or auto-pay (Auto Pay) |
| Penalty for non-payment | Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £180 (reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days) |
How do I pay the Congestion Charge?
Can I pay the Congestion Charge online?
Yes. You can pay the Congestion Charge through your London Road User Charging account or TfL account. TfL states there is no fee to set up Auto Pay or to add vehicles. According to the RAC, payment can also be made online, at selected newsagents and petrol stations, and at some self-service machines inside the zone.
Pay online via your TfL account, set up Auto Pay for automatic monthly billing, or use the TfL app. No cash payments are accepted at the roadside.
How do I pay the Congestion Charge by number plate?
The charge is tracked using your vehicle registration number plate. TfL says you must make sure the vehicle you drive in the zone is added to your Auto Pay service. There is no option to pay directly by entering a number plate at a terminal; payment is always routed through the official system. For vehicles registered outside the UK, they must be registered with TfL and on Auto Pay to receive a discount.
Can I pay a one-off Congestion Charge?
Yes. You can pay a single day’s charge online or by phone without setting up Auto Pay. The deadline for payment is midnight of the third day after your journey. If you pay within this window, the cost is £21. Paying in advance or on the day costs £18.
Do I need to pay the Congestion Charge?
The charge applies to most motorised vehicles driving within the Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ) during operating hours. It is a daily fee, not a per-journey fee. The CCZ covers central London, including parts of the Square Mile and Westminster. TfL says the scheme runs daily with no charge from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day bank holiday inclusive.
What are the Congestion Charge operating hours and zone?
The RAC states the charging hours are 7:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday and 12:00 to 18:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays. The zone map is defined by TfL and covers central London streets. TfL’s official page is the most authoritative source for the present scheme. For a visual reference, see the official Congestion Charge zone map and boundary.
The charge applies on weekends and bank holidays, but starts later at 12pm. If you drive before noon on a Saturday or Sunday, you may not need to pay.
Are there any discounts or exemptions for electric cars or residents?
TfL confirms the existing 100% electric vehicle discount ends on 25 December 2025. After that date, eligible electric cars do not get a full exemption. Under TfL’s new rules, electric cars registered for Auto Pay get a reduced rate of £13.50, while non-registered vehicles pay the standard £18. For electric vans, HGVs, and quadricycles on Auto Pay, the rate is £9. The previous Cleaner Vehicle Discount gave a 100% discount to eligible battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, but this ends on 25 December 2025.
Residents living inside the zone can apply for a 90% discount, paying £1.80 per day for the first vehicle. TfL and the London Assembly note continuing exemptions for emergency service vehicles, disabled people, and black cabs or TfL-licensed taxis and private hire vehicles. Other categories with separate rules and application processes are listed on TfL’s discounts page.
What happens if I don’t pay the Congestion Charge?
If a charge is not paid on time, the RAC says a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is issued, with a fine of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. Another source notes a higher late-payment rate of £17.50 if paid by midnight on the third day after travel, but TfL’s current scheme page should be treated as the primary source for current rules.
A PCN fine can reach £180. Paying the charge by midnight of the third day after travel avoids the penalty. Always check TfL’s official site for the latest enforcement rules.
History of London Congestion Charge Costs
- – Charge introduced at £5 per day.
- – Increased to £8.
- – Increased to £10.
- – Increased to £11.50.
- – Temporarily increased to £15 (COVID); rebates ended.
- – Charge frozen at £15.
- – Increased to £15 (standard) – conflicting sources note £18 later.
- – Increased to £18 (standard) and £21 (delayed payment).
- – Electric vehicle exemption ends.
Certainty vs. Uncertainty: What You Need to Know
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Current daily charge is £18 (paid on time) or £21 (paid late). | Future charge increases after 2025 have not been announced. |
| Payment must be made by midnight of the third day after travel. | Potential changes to exemptions (e.g., hybrids, plug-ins) are subject to TfL review. |
| The zone and operating hours are fixed (see TfL map). | Effect of ULEZ expansion on congestion charge boundaries is stable now, but may shift. |
| Electric cars are exempt only until 25 December 2025. | Penalty amounts can change annually with inflation. |
Understanding the Congestion Charge: Context & Analysis
Why the charge exists
Introduced in 2003, the Congestion Charge was designed to reduce traffic, improve bus reliability, and cut emissions in central London. Revenues from the charge are used to fund transport improvements across the city. Over the years, the fee has increased in line with inflation and policy changes.
How it compares to ULEZ
The Congestion Charge targets traffic volume, while ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) targets vehicle emissions. Both apply in central London but have different costs and exemptions. The Congestion Charge is for driving in the central CCZ during charging hours, while ULEZ covers a much larger area and operates under different emissions rules. They are separate charges.
Common misconceptions cleared
The charge is not just for weekdays; it now applies on weekends. Paying by number plate directly is not possible – you must pay via the TfL website or app using your vehicle registration. Also, some vehicles exempt from the Congestion Charge, such as electric cars before December 2025, may still need to pay tunnel charges like those for the Blackwall or Silvertown tunnels.
Official Sources & Quotations
The daily charge is £18 if you pay in advance or on the same day, or £21 by midnight of the third day after travel.
The London Congestion Charge is £18 per day, if you pay in advance or on the day of travel (or £21 if paid by midnight of the third day after travel).
As of 2025 the standard charge is £15, Monday–Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, and 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday (and Bank Holidays).
— Wikipedia – London congestion charge
Note: This figure is potentially outdated. TfL’s current standard charge is £18.
What’s Next for the Congestion Charge?
The electric vehicle exemption ends in December 2025, meaning all EV drivers will need to pay the standard rate from January 2026, unless they register for Auto Pay and receive the reduced rate. TfL may adjust the charge annually in line with inflation (RPI). Potential reform of Auto Pay and discounts for low-income drivers has been discussed, as well as integration with nationwide pay-per-mile road pricing debates. For a more detailed look at the rules, refer to London Congestion Charge 2025–2026 Rates & Rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do residents of the Congestion Charge zone have to pay?
Residents living inside the zone can apply for a 90% discount (pay £1.80 per day for the first vehicle).
Can I pay the Congestion Charge at a shop?
No, payments are only accepted online (TfL website/app), by phone, or via Auto Pay. There are no physical payment points.
Is the Congestion Charge the same as ULEZ?
No. The Congestion Charge is a daily fee for driving in central London, while ULEZ is an emissions-based charge for older, more polluting vehicles. They are separate but may both apply.
What happens if I enter the zone outside charge hours?
You do not need to pay if you drive in the zone before 7am (Mon–Fri) or after 6pm, or before 12pm on weekends/bank holidays and after 6pm. The charge only applies during operating hours.
How do I pay using Auto Pay?
TfL Auto Pay automatically charges your account for each day you drive in the zone. You register your vehicle and payment method, and it deducts the fee monthly. There is no extra charge for Auto Pay.
What is the penalty for not paying the Congestion Charge?
A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £180 is issued, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
Are electric cars still exempt from the Congestion Charge?
Yes, but only until 25 December 2025. After that date, they must pay the standard rate or a reduced rate if on Auto Pay.
Can I pay the Congestion Charge for multiple days at once?
Yes, you can pay in advance for multiple days online. Auto Pay also deducts charges automatically for each day you drive in the zone.
Do motorcycles need to pay the Congestion Charge?
No, motorcycles are exempt from the Congestion Charge.
How do I pay if my vehicle is registered outside the UK?
Foreign-registered vehicles must be registered with TfL and on Auto Pay to receive a discount and to pay the charge.
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