Discounts and exemptions
If none of these apply to you, you can also explore ways to meet the standard.
Vehicles for disabled people
Blue Badge holders need to pay the ULEZ charge unless their vehicle meets the ULEZ emission standards or is registered with the DVLA as having a 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class.
Keepers of vehicles registered in these tax classes benefit from a grace period where they are exempt from paying the ULEZ charge until 26 October 2025. This is valid as long as their vehicle doesn't change tax class. (Vehicles operated by or on behalf of TfL will not benefit from this grace period.) Read the eligibility criteria for the disabled tax class exemption on Gov.uk
If your 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class vehicle is registered in the UK, you don't need to register with us to benefit from the grace period. If your vehicle is registered outside the UK, you are still exempt from paying the ULEZ charge during the grace period, but you will need to register with us.
Disabled people over state pension age whose vehicle does not have 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class can apply directly to us for the grace period if they:
- Are in receipt of Attendance Allowance AND
- Hold a Blue Badge
From 27 October 2025 you will need to pay the daily ULEZ charge for your 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class vehicle if it does not meet the ULEZ emission standards.
NHS patient reimbursement
If you are clinically assessed as too ill to travel to an appointment on public transport, you may be eligible to claim back any ULEZ charge and/or Congestion Charge you paid from your treating hospital. Your hospital will tell you if you are eligible.
Taxis
London-licensed taxis are exempt from ULEZ charges. They are currently subject to a 15 year age limit.
All newly licensed taxis must be zero emission capable (ZEC) vehicles. Find out more about how we plan to have the cleanest taxi fleet in the world.
Minibuses used for community transport
Many not-for-profit organisations that operate minibuses used for community transport can register for a temporary 100% discount of the ULEZ charge until 29 October 2023. These are minibuses that carry passengers on a not-for-profit basis. For example, for educational, religious, social welfare or other activities that benefit the community.
Once you have registered your vehicle and it has been confirmed, you will not be charged the ULEZ charge until the end date of the grace period on 29 October 2023. After this date, all minibuses will need to meet the ULEZ emissions standard or pay the daily ULEZ charge.
You can register your minibus now.
Check if your organisation is eligible
To apply, your organisation must be a:
- Charity
- School (excluding private schools)
- Further Education institution getting funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (excluding Higher Education institutions who get this funding)
- 16 to 19 Academy
- Local authority
- Other not-for-profit organisation
Check if your vehicle is eligible
The vehicle must meet these conditions:
- Able to carry more than 8 but no more than 16 passengers and weigh 5 tonnes or less (gross vehicle weight)
- Owned, leased or hired by a not-for-profit organisation, and used mainly for community transport
- Owned, leased or hired on or before 8 June 2018, and continually since then
- Does not already meet the ULEZ standards
Documents you will need
To apply, you need to download the application form, fill it in, sign it and upload. You will also need to upload copies of the required documents listed in the form.
Wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles (PHVs)
Designated wheelchair-accessible PHVs used to carry out a private hire booking will be granted a grace period until 26 October 2025, during which they will be exempt from the ULEZ daily charge.
These vehicles will only be exempt when carrying out a private hire booking for a TfL-licensed PHV operator. At all other times PHV owners will have to pay the charge if their designated wheelchair-accessible PHV does not meet the emissions standards and is not in the disabled or disabled passenger vehicle tax class.
See a list of designated wheelchair-accessible PHVs licensed by TfL on the Passengers and accessibility page.
If you feel that your vehicle should be on the list please email tph.enquiries@tfl.gov.uk.`
PHVs that do not meet the emissions standards and are not wheelchair-accessible must pay the full ULEZ charge to drive within the zone.
Historic vehicles
You can apply to stop paying vehicle tax if your vehicle was built more than 40 years ago. This date moves forward on a 40-year rolling system. For example, when the ULEZ launched in April 2019, vehicles built before 1979 were eligible to apply for historic vehicle tax class.
All vehicles that have a historic vehicle tax class will be exempt from the ULEZ. This tax class excludes any vehicle used commercially (for example, coffee vans or street food vans).
In line with the existing LEZ discount all vehicles constructed before 1 January 1973 will be exempt from the ULEZ, regardless of commercial use or otherwise.
If your vehicle meets the above criteria but is registered outside the UK, you are also exempt, but will need to register with us before travelling in the zone.
Other exempt vehicles
A small number of vehicle types currently exempt from the LEZ are also exempt from the ULEZ charge. These include:
- Specialist agricultural vehicles
- Military vehicles
- Non-road going vehicles which are allowed to drive on the highway (for example, excavators)
- Certain types of mobile cranes
If your vehicle meets any of the above criteria and is registered in the UK, it is automatically exempt and you don't need to register with us. If your vehicle meets any of the above criteria but is registered outside the UK, you are also exempt, but will need to register with us. Check if you need to register.
Discount for showman's vehicles
Some showman's vehicles are eligible for a 100% discount from the ULEZ daily charge if they are registered to a person following the business of a travelling showman and have been modified or specially constructed. Trailers and semi-trailers which have been modified or specially constructed are not eligible for the 100% discount.
For a vehicle to be eligible for the discount, modifications or special constructions for the purpose of the show must be either:
- Used during the performance, or
- Used for the purpose of providing the performance, or
- Used for carrying performance equipment, or
- Used for displaying animals to the public, or
- Below the chassis level, such that it isn't possible to fit emission abatement equipment
If your vehicle meets the above criteria, you need to register with us to qualify for the discount. (Vehicles that are already registered with TfL for a LEZ showman's discount do not need to be registered again for ULEZ). This applies to both UK and non-UK vehicles.
If you receive any other discounts or exemptions for the Congestion Charge you still need to pay the ULEZ charge if you drive within the zone in a vehicle that does not meet the ULEZ standards.
