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Congestion Charge Payment
Paying the London Congestion Charge
You can pay up to 90 days in advance. So, for example, you could pay for one day, three days, a week, two weeks, a month or a year. If you pay monthly or annually there are discounts available, and you can claim refunds in certain circumstances.
By midnight on the day of travel (£8 daily charge)
You can pay before or after the journey on the day of travel
By midnight the following charging day (£10 charge)
You can only pay this charge via the website or the call centre. If you travel on a Friday you have until midnight on the following Monday to pay
Important note: If you fail to pay the charge by midnight on the following charging day you will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice.
How to pay the Congestion charge ?
You can pay the congestion charge in a number of ways:
- Online
- By SMS: This service can only be used to pay for the charging day on which the message is sent. To use this service you have to register. Once you have registered for this service you can use SMS to pay by sending a text message to 81099 with the last four digits of your registered credit or debit card. You will be sent a confirmation message to tell you your payment was successful. You can use SMS to pay for your primary or any other vehicle.
- By phone: In the UK call 0845 900 1234 between 06:00 and 00:30 Sunday to Friday and 06:00 and 22:00 on Saturday - International +44 207 649 9122 - Textphone 020 7649 9123 (if you have impaired hearing). If you have registered, you will be able to pay automatically by keying in your customer number, PIN, date of travel, and payment details on a touchtone telephone.
- At a shop: You can pay the charge in cash at newsagents, convenience stores and petrol stations where you see the Congestion Charging sign or the PayPoint Logo. Some retailers may accept payment by cheque and credit or debit card at their discretion.
- At a self-service machine: You can pay with certain credit and debit cards at self-service machines. These are located mainly in major public car parks within the charging zone.
- By post: Download, print and fill out the payment form then post it to the address on the form. Your postal payment must be received 10 days before you intend to travel, to allow time for it to be processed.
Vehicles Exempted from The congestion charge
Some categories of vehicles qualify for a 100% Congestion Charge discount. The cars not paying the congestion charge:
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Alternative fuel vehicles
To qualify for this discount your vehicle must be powered by an alternative fuel, bi fuel or dual fuel, and not solely by petrol or diesel. It must also meet strict emissions criteria. Hybrid Cars such as Toyata Prius, Estima, Previa, Lexus RX400 and the Honda Civic are not paying the congestion charge. LPG vehicles enter the congestion charge for free.
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Electrically propelled vehicles
To qualify for this discount your vehicle must be registered with the Driver Licensing and Vehicle Agency (DVLA) and have a fuel type of 'electric'. You can check this on the V5C registration document sent to you by the DVLA. You can buy second hand electric car here. Or get in touch with Goingreen or NICE car company. Westminster council is currently offering FREE parking and you can also recharge your batteries for free.
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Vehicles with nine or more seats
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Motor tricycles
If you drive a motor tricycle of one metre or less in width, and two metres or less in length, you are eligible for a 100 per cent discount.
To register for the discount you need to apply in writing and enclose photographs of the vehicle (front, back and side) showing the VRM, along with a copy of their V5C and a £10 registration charge.
This letter should be marked 'Private and Confidential' and sent to Transport for London, Congestion Charging, PO Box 2982, Coventry CV7 8WR.
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Motorcycles and Bicycles
Motorcycles, Scooter, Moped, Bicycles are exempted from the congestion charge. Buy a motorcycle or a scooter now - Buy a bicycle online
