ULEZ-Compliant Cars: The Full 2026 Guide
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ULEZ 2026 at a glance
- Charge: £12.50 per day for non-compliant cars, vans and motorcycles.
- Where: all London boroughs, 24/7, every day except 25 December.
- Penalty: £160 Penalty Charge Notice (reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days) if you don't pay by the third day after the trip.
- Electric cars: always compliant, zero charge.
Which cars are ULEZ compliant? The emission standards
Compliance is set by the Euro emission standard your vehicle meets, not by brand or model. As a rule of thumb:
| Vehicle type | Minimum standard | Rough registration cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol car | Euro 4 | Most petrol cars registered from January 2006 |
| Diesel car | Euro 6 | Most diesel cars registered from September 2015 |
| Motorcycle / moped | Euro 3 | Most registered from 2007 |
| Petrol van | Euro 4 | From January 2006 |
| Diesel van | Euro 6 | From September 2016 |
| Fully electric | Always compliant | Any year |
The registration dates are a guide, not a guarantee - some models met the standard earlier or later. The only way to be certain is to check the vehicle's actual Euro classification (more on that below).
Examples of ULEZ-compliant cars
Because compliance follows the emission standard, most modern cars qualify. Common examples that typically comply (always confirm the individual vehicle by its reg):
- All fully electric cars - e.g. Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, VW ID.3, MG4.
- Petrol cars from 2006 onward (Euro 4+) - e.g. Ford Fiesta, VW Golf, Vauxhall Corsa, Toyota Yaris, BMW 3 Series.
- Hybrids - e.g. Toyota Prius, Toyota C-HR, Honda Jazz Hybrid.
- Diesel cars from September 2015 onward (Euro 6) - e.g. later VW Golf TDI, Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi, BMW 320d, Mercedes C 220 d.
The same model can be compliant or not depending on its exact engine and registration date — a 2014 diesel Golf is usually non-compliant, a 2017 one usually is. So treat the list as a guide and verify the specific car.
How to check if your car is ULEZ compliant
You have three quick options:
1. TfL's online checker - enter your registration number on Transport for London's ULEZ checker for an instant compliant / non-compliant result.
2. Your V5C or registration document - the emission data behind the standard is recorded when the vehicle is registered.
3. The Certificate of Conformity (COC) - for an imported or newly registered vehicle, the COC lists the Euro emission standard and CO₂ figures directly. If you're bringing a car into the UK, this is often the cleanest proof of which standard it meets. If you're new to the document, see 321COC's guide to what a Certificate of Conformity is.
The £12.50 charge, penalties and how payment works
Non-compliant vehicles pay £12.50 for each day they drive within the zone — the charge runs from midnight to midnight, so a single late-night trip either side of midnight can count as two days. Payment is due by midnight on the third day after the journey (you can also pay in advance or set up Auto Pay). Miss it and you face a £160 PCN, halved to £80 if you settle within 14 days.
ULEZ exemptions in 2026
A few vehicles don't pay, even if they wouldn't otherwise meet the standard:
- Historic vehicles - those built more than 40 years ago and registered in the historic tax class are exempt.
- Disabled and wheelchair-accessible vehicles - certain DVLA tax classes and disability benefits carry a temporary exemption until 24 October 2027.
- Fully electric vehicles - compliant by default, so never charged.
Exemptions can change, so confirm your specific case with TfL before relying on one.
Importing a car? Check the emission standard first
If you're buying a car abroad and bringing it to the UK, ULEZ compliance is worth checking before you commit - a cheap import can become expensive if it's a pre-2006 petrol or pre-2015 diesel you'll drive in London. The vehicle's Euro standard sits on its Certificate of Conformity, alongside the technical data you'll need to register it in the UK. For the wider import steps, see our guides to importing a car to the UK.
When you register an imported vehicle, having the official COC on hand keeps the process moving. 321COC issues manufacturer-official COCs from your VIN, with transparent pricing and delivery — you can [order a COC online](https://321coc.eu/en/blog/coc-online) once you have the vehicle details.
Frequently asked questions
Is my car ULEZ compliant?
Petrol cars meeting Euro 4 (broadly, registered from 2006) and diesel cars meeting Euro 6 (broadly, from September 2015) are compliant. Check your reg on TfL's checker to be sure.
How much is the ULEZ charge in 2026?
£12.50 per day for non-compliant cars, vans and motorcycles, across all London boroughs, every day except 25 December.
Are electric cars ULEZ compliant?
Yes. Fully electric vehicles are always compliant and never pay the charge.
Where do I find my car's Euro emission standard?
On the Certificate of Conformity, or via the registration/V5C data. TfL's checker also confirms compliance from your number plate.
Does ULEZ compliance affect importing a car?
It doesn't stop you importing, but a non-compliant vehicle will cost £12.50 a day to drive in London. Check the Euro standard on the COC before you buy.
The bottom line
A ULEZ-compliant car is simply one that meets the right Euro standard - Euro 4 for petrol, Euro 6 for diesel, or fully electric. Check your reg on TfL's tool, and if you're importing, confirm the emission standard on the vehicle's Certificate of Conformity before you buy — a cheap import that can't drive in London for free isn't cheap. When it's time to register that import, 321COC gets you the manufacturer-official COC from just the VIN, with the price and delivery shown up front.
Currently available COC online on 321COC:
