How to Pay Congestion Charge Online? – London Transport Advise

Congestion Charge is a congestion charge levied by Transport for London on vehicles entering central London. It was implemented in 2003 to curb congestion and raise funds for public transport construction. The Congestion Charge applies only to cars with a maximum capacity of around 11 passengers. So if you’re driving a larger vehicle into the zone, you will pay congestion charge online, only if your vehicle enters the zone between 7 am and 6 pm daily.

If you plan to travel regularly into or out of central London, paying a congestion charge online through a payment card may be beneficial. Some payment cards have exemptions that allow users to pay congestion charges online without any fees or extra charges. There are also options like congestion charge payas, allowing users to pay congestion charges online without paying extra fees.

In this blog, we’ll tell you about congestion charges and how one can pay congestion charge online without having to worry about any additional expenses.

What is a Congestion Charge?

The congestion charge is a daily fee levied on vehicles entering central London between 7 am and 6 pm. It was implemented in 2003 to curb congestion and raise funds for public transport construction. Vehicles with a maximum capacity of 11 passengers are subject to the charge. The amount of the charge depends on whether you’re driving into or out of the zone during these hours:

In Inbound Zone

• Up to £11 when entering between 7 am – 10 am
• Up to £14 when entering from 10 am – 4 pm
• Up to £18 when exiting between 4 pm – 6 pm

In Outbound Zone

• Up to £11 when entering between 7 am – 10 am
• No charge when exiting before 7 pm
• £14 when entering from 10 am – 4 pm
• £18 when exiting between 4 pm – 6 pm

How to Check Congestion Charge?

The easiest way to check if you’re charged a congestion charge is to go online and use the london.gov.uk website. The website will display your current congestion charge amount and a list of exemptions that may apply to you, depending on your vehicle’s make and model.

Where is the Congestion Charge Zone?

Most of central London is covered in the Congestion Charge Zone, including the City of Westminster, the City of London, and parts of the London Boroughs of Camden, Lambeth and Southwark. Signs clearly mark the entry points to the zone.

A map of the zone is available on TfL’s website. The charge only applies in the designated area, which covers an area from Kings Cross in the north to Vauxhall in the south and Paddington in the west to Whitechapel in the east.

You must pay for a congestion charge zone ticket at each entry point. You can find information about how much a ticket costs, where to buy one, and how to pay online at tfl.gov.uk/CongestionCharge. You can also pay for congestion charge zone tickets using any card that has chip and pin functionality.

To pay for a congestion charge zone ticket online, you will need your vehicle registration number, postcode, and payment method details through an app or a payment gateway such as Paypal or Apple Pay.

What Time is Congestion Charge?

The London Congestion Charge is based on the central London clock, GMT (+1 hour). So, when the charge starts at 7 am and ends at 10 pm, it’s 9 am to 11 pm. However, the charge clock in central London does not always match the UK Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). For this reason, some vehicles entering the zone after 7 pm may be charged for the early morning peak period.

How Much is Congestion Charge?

The Congestion Charge is a charge levied on drivers entering central London. The charge is levied on vehicles with Euro VI or equivalent emission standards and is £15 if you pay in advance or on the same day. This charge increases to £17.50 after three days of travelling in the congestion charge zone. If you fail to pay the charge within three days, a penalty of £160 (or £80 if paid within 14 days) will be issued.

The ULEZ charge may also be applicable for vehicles that do not meet ULEZ standards for emissions. These vehicles will be charged an additional fee for entering the congestion charge zone. However, exemptions value and tax discounts may be available for low-emission vehicles such as e-bikes and electric cars, which can help you pay less than £100 per year for your vehicle’s congestion charge entry.

How to Pay Congestion Charge Online?

• Paying the Congestion Charge online can be done with a valid debit or credit card at tfl.gov.uk.
• You need to enter your vehicle registration number and country of registration to make the payment.
• Beware of other websites charging more than the official rate of up to £5 extra.
• The maximum amount to pay is £15 on the day or £17.50 up to three days following the travel date.
• For any queries about Congestion Charging, contact TfL’s customer service at tfl.gov.uk/contact.

What Time Does Congestion Charge End?

If you drive between 07:00 and 18:00 Monday through Friday, 12:00 and 18:00 Saturday through Sunday, or on bank holidays, you’ll have to pay a daily fee. The bank holidays of Christmas and New Year’s Day are not included in the charge.

Can I Get a Congestion Charge Exemption?

There are certain exemptions from paying the congestion charge that you can find below at tfl.gov.uk/Congestion Charge:

• Vehicles of diplomatic or official status
• Emergency service vehicles, including police cars, fire engines and ambulance crews
• Commercial lorries carrying goods to or from ports within London
• Passenger vehicles with a maximum weight of fewer than 10 tonnes that are travelling within the zone on a short journey (for example, between two points in the zone) and have not stopped at any junction or red light while inside the zone
• Cyclists are travelling within the charge zone if they use lanes set aside by TfL. These lanes will be marked with a sign and blue tarmac.

Conclusion

Paying congestion charges is quite simple. You can pay the congestion charge at one of the payment centres located in London or pay online via credit card, debit card, EFT or bank account transfer. Local authorities have set up this congestion charge payment portal to make the payment process easier and faster. To learn more about paying congestion charges online, visit the congestion charge website mentioned above. Besides you can also contact them if you need help with paying online.

FAQ – Pay Congestion Charge Online

How Do I Pay the Congestion Charge on My Car?

There are several ways to pay the Congestion Charge on your car. The most convenient and fastest way is by using Auto Pay. Auto Pay bills your credit or debit card based on how many days your vehicle enters the Congestion Charge zone each month. This system is perfect for frequent travellers who want to avoid worrying about late payments or missed deadlines.

You can also pay the fee up to 90 days in advance of your journey. This allows you to budget better and keep track of your spending. Plus, it’s helpful if you have a tight schedule and want to avoid any last-minute surprises.

Lastly, you can pay the fee at the toll booth when you arrive in the Congestion Charge zone. This method is suitable for those who don’t have access to an auto-pay system or who want to avoid extra fees.

How Do I Pay Congestion Charge Without an Account?

You can pay the Congestion Charge three ways without a driver’s license, registration, or proof of insurance: online, by phone, or in person. Of course, the quickest way is to pay online. You can also pay for the Congestion Charge and ULEZ charge up to three previous days, today, the next day, or for a custom date range. Auto Pay is the easiest way to pay both the Congestion Charge and the ULEZ charge.

Suppose you are exempt from the Congestion Charge or have an exemption letter from your local authority. However, you can still pay the charge by visiting a Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC) or sending a payment voucher via post. You can also print out your payment voucher and present it on the day of your traffic stop.

If you have any questions about paying the Congestion Charge, don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team at info@tfl.gov.uk. They will be happy to assist you.

How Do I Know if I Pay Congestion Charge?

If you drive in London between 07:00-18:00 on Mon-Fri, 12:00-18:00 on Sat-Sun, and on Bank Holidays, you will be charged a daily congestion charge. However, there is no charge on festivals like Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.

To pay for the congestion charge and ULEZ charge for up to three previous days, today, the next day, or for a custom date range, you can pay online or by phone. Alternatively, you can pay a congestion charge up to 90 days in advance.

How Do I Pay My Congestion Charge by Phone?

You can pay your congestion charge by phone with the TFL Contact Centre between 8:00 am and 8.00 pm (Monday-Friday) or by using the TFL Integrated Voice Recognition (IVR) system. Payment can be made up to 90 days in advance. Payment can also be made via an app called TFL Pay to Drive in London. An Auto Pay function is also available.

Do All Petrol Cars Pay Congestion Charges?

All petrol cars in London must pay the Congestion Charge, which is £15 per day. The charge is payable between 7 am-6 pm Monday to Friday and 12 pm-6 pm on weekends and bank holidays. However, exemptions and discounts are available for specific vehicles, such as public service vehicles, emergency services, and low-emission vehicles. Payments can be made online with a valid credit card or debit card.

Can I Pay My Congestion Charge at the Petrol Station?

No, the Congestion Charge cannot be paid at petrol stations. Instead, the charge must be paid online, via the TFL Pay to Drive in London app, by using the Auto Pay function, by contacting the TFL Contact Centre or via the TFL Integrated Voice Recognition (IVR) system [101, 102, 103, 104].

How Do I Know if I Drove in Congestion Zone?

The easiest way to know if you’re driving in the congestion zone is by reading the signs posted around the zone. The zone covers an area from Kings Cross in the north to Vauxhall in the south and Paddington in the west to Whitechapel in the east. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras monitor all roads around the zone’s perimeter, so you’ll be notified if you’re breaking the rules.

Driving in the congestion zone requires a fee for all vehicles except disabled people, motorcycles, emergency vehicles, blue badge holders, or vehicles with nine or more seats. However, for cars that are eligible for exemptions, the fee will be reduced until Dec 2025.