ULEZ fine in London: how to challenge a TfL ULEZ penalty

How the London ULEZ works

• It covers the whole of Greater London, inside the M25 (the M25 itself isn't in the zone).
• It operates 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day. The daily charge runs from midnight to midnight, so a journey that crosses midnight can count as two days.
• Most petrol cars from around 2006 onwards and most diesel cars from around September 2015 onwards meet the standards, but always check your exact vehicle on TfL's vehicle checker rather than relying on its age.
• You can usually pay on the day, up to 90 days in advance, or up to midnight on the third day after your journey. Auto Pay (through a TfL account) pays automatically.

Common reasons a ULEZ penalty is wrong

• You paid within the window. Find the confirmation email or bank statement. Paying for the wrong date or wrong registration is a common mistake: explain it and include the proof.
• Auto Pay failed, for example because a card expired or the vehicle wasn't added to the account. Include screenshots of your TfL account.
• Your vehicle is compliant. TfL's records can be wrong, especially for imported, converted or older-but-compliant vehicles. A letter from the manufacturer or a Certificate of Conformity can prove the emissions standard.
• Your vehicle is exempt or registered for a discount, for example some vehicles in the disabled or disabled passenger tax class, or a wheelchair accessible vehicle. Exemptions change over time, so check TfL's current list.
• Cloned plates. If the camera photo shows a different make, model or colour from your car, someone may be using your registration.
• You weren't the keeper on that date, because you'd sold the vehicle or bought it later. Include the V5C sale details or DVLA confirmation.

Cloned number plates

If someone is using your registration on another vehicle, gather your V5C, clear photos of your own car showing its make, model and colour, and anything showing where you were at the time (work records, receipts, phone location history). Report it to the police and include the crime reference number. Tell the DVLA too. Because cloned plates usually lead to more penalties, check your post carefully for a few months.

How to challenge it

• 1. Look at the photos on TfL's website using the PCN number. Check the vehicle really is yours.
• 2. Make representations to TfL within 28 days of the notice date. Online is easiest. Set out each reason clearly and attach your evidence.
• 3. If TfL rejects them, it sends a Notice of Rejection. You can then appeal free to London Tribunals, usually within 28 days.
• 4. If you do nothing, a Charge Certificate is usually issued and the amount goes up by 50%. Unpaid ULEZ penalties can end with enforcement agents, so don't ignore them.

The discount

ULEZ penalties are usually halved if you pay within 14 days. If you have a genuine ground, challenging is free and often worth it. If you clearly forgot to pay and have no ground, paying the reduced amount quickly is usually the cheapest option, though it's still worth asking TfL to consider genuine mistakes, especially a first one.