ULEZ: Are vintage cars exempt from the £12.50 daily charge in London? Which vehicles are exempt?

Once the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is expanded to cover all of greater London from August 29, almost all drivers of non-compliant vehicles will be liable to pay the £12.50 daily charge.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has said the zone’s expansion is necessary to continue clearing up the capital’s air, though critics have raised concerns about the move in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.

The general ULEZ standards vehicles are expected to meet are Euro 3 for motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles and quadricycles; Euro 4 (NOx) for petrol cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles; and Euro 6 (NOx and PM) for diesel cars, vans and minibuses and other specialist vehicles.

For those who have vehicles which do not meet the standards, the mayor and Transport for London (TfL) have launched a scrappage scheme, providing support for eligible groups ranging from small businesses and charities to any Londoner with a non-compliant car.

There are exemptions from the charge, such as London-licensed taxis and specialist agricultural vehicles.

But what about owners of vintage cars? Do they have to pay the ULEZ?

ULEZ exemptions for historic vehicles

According to TfL’s website, all vehicles with a historic vehicles tax class are exempt from the ULEZ.

Owners of vehicles built more than 40 years ago, which is updated on a rolling basis, can apply with the DVLA to stop paying vehicle tax.

For example, when the ULEZ is expanded on August 29 2023, all vehicles built before 1983 will be eligible. This will then be amended to all vehicles built before 1984 the following year.

Vintage vehicle from outside the UK will also be exempt, but need to be registered with TfL before being driven in the zone.

What other vehicles are exempt from the ULEZ?

Certain groups, small businesses or charities, could be able to apply for grace periods if they are awaiting a ULEZ-compliant van or minibus, or have booked in a retrofit ahead of the August 29 expansion date.

However, there are some vehicles which are wholly exempt from paying any ULEZ charges.

These include:

• London-licensed taxis
• specialist agricultural vehicles
• military vehicles
• non-road-going vehicles which are allowed on the highway ie excavators
• certain types of mobile crane

ULEZ scrappage scheme

For those who do not qualify for exemptions and need to transition to a compliant vehicle, the mayor’s £160m scrappage scheme can offer some support towards either trading-in or upgrading your vehicle.

Mr Khan recently announced all Londoners with non-compliant cars or motorbikes will be eligible to apply for support, with larger packages available for groups such as small businesses and charities.

For more on what support is available, take a look at our article on the ULEZ scrappage scheme here.