The ULEZ and your hire car

The Ultra Low Emission Zone covers all London boroughs and runs every day. Here's what it means for your hire.

The Ultra Low Emission Zone, or ULEZ, is one of the rules every London driver needs to know. It aims to improve air quality by charging the vehicles that pollute most. Here's how it works, and what it means when you're driving a hire car.

Where and when it applies

  • Where: across all London boroughs. The zone expanded to cover the whole of London in August 2023. The M25 itself isn't included.
  • When: 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day.
  • Charging day: midnight to midnight. If you drive in the zone either side of midnight, that counts as two days.

Which cars comply

Compliance depends on a car's emissions standard. As a general guide:

  • Petrol cars generally comply if they meet the Euro 4 standard, which broadly means cars first registered after 2006.
  • Diesel cars generally comply if they meet the Euro 6 standard, which broadly means cars first registered after September 2015.

Cars that comply don't pay the ULEZ charge. Those that don't pay a daily charge to Transport for London.

Checking your hire car

The surest way to know is to enter the car's registration in Transport for London's vehicle checker before you drive. You'll find it on the TfL website. If you're unsure, ask your customer experience manager when you collect.

The ULEZ and the Congestion Charge

The ULEZ and the Congestion Charge are separate schemes. If you drive into central London during Congestion Charge hours, the Congestion Charge applies whether or not the car meets the ULEZ standards. See the Congestion Charge.

If a charge applies

Any ULEZ charge is paid to Transport for London, not to us. Pay on the day you drive or by the deadline TfL sets. An unpaid charge leads to a penalty notice, which is sent to the car's registered keeper and passed on to the driver, as set out in your hire agreement.

Planning a day in London

  • Check whether your route enters central London during Congestion Charge hours.
  • Check the car's registration with TfL if you have any doubt about the ULEZ.
  • Plan your parking at your destination. See parking in London.

Always check the latest rules

Zones, standards and charges can change. Transport for London publishes the current rules and is where you pay. Check the TfL website before you drive.

Questions

Where does the ULEZ apply?
Across all London boroughs, since the zone expanded in August 2023.
When does the ULEZ run?
24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day. Each charging day runs from midnight to midnight.
Do I have to pay the ULEZ in a R3ntal Central car?
Check the car's registration with Transport for London's vehicle checker before you drive. Cars that meet the emissions standards don't pay the ULEZ charge.
Is the ULEZ the same as the Congestion Charge?
No. They're separate. In central London during charging hours, the Congestion Charge applies as well as the ULEZ rules.

Related

The Congestion ChargeThe London Congestion Charge explained for hire car drivers: the zone, the charging hours, how to pay and how to avoid a penalty.ParkingHow to park in London without a penalty: reading the signs, controlled parking zones, red routes, paying by app and planning ahead.Driving in LondonPlan your drive in London: the ULEZ, the Congestion Charge, getting to the airports and parking, explained for hire car drivers.Car hire across LondonPremium self-drive car hire for customers London-wide. Collect from our Hainault depot in East London, or ask about delivery to your address.

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