The London Congestion Charge is £18 a day in 2026 and applies inside the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) in central London from 7am to 6pm on weekdays, and from noon to 6pm on weekends and bank holidays. Uber, PCO and private hire drivers aren't exempt, so any trip through the CCZ during charging hours carries the full charge, same as any other driver.
Updated for 2026. The standard charge rose from £15 to £18 on 2 January 2025, and the Cleaner Vehicle Discount for zero-emission vehicles was revised at the end of 2025. All figures and rules in this guide are current for 2026.
What is the London Congestion Charge?
The Congestion Charge is a daily fee for driving a vehicle inside central London's Congestion Charge Zone. Transport for London (TfL) runs the scheme to cut central London traffic, reduce air pollution, and fund the wider transport network.
The zone covers most of central London: King's Cross, Buckingham Palace, the West End, Covent Garden, Soho, the City, Fitzrovia and surrounding areas. If your trip takes you through any of those zones during charging hours, the charge applies.
The Congestion Charge is separate from the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). ULEZ covers the whole of Greater London, 24 hours a day, and charges vehicles that don't meet emissions standards. Most London private hire drivers pay both at some point across a typical week.
When does the Congestion Charge apply?
The CCZ operates seven days a week with one short holiday exemption:
- Monday to Friday: 7am to 6pm
- Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays: noon to 6pm
- Christmas Day to New Year's Day (inclusive): no charge
Outside those hours, you can drive through the zone without paying.
How much does the London Congestion Charge cost in 2026?
According to TfL's current Congestion Charge guidance, the 2026 fees are:
- £18 a day if you pay in advance or on the same day you drive.
- £21 a day if you pay by midnight on the third day after you drive.
- £180 penalty charge notice (reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days) if you don't pay and TfL's cameras log the trip.
The charge covers a calendar day, so one payment covers every time you enter the CCZ on that date. You don't pay per trip.
How do I pay the Congestion Charge?
TfL offers a few payment routes:
- Auto Pay: TfL's automated scheme that checks your travel and charges you automatically once you're registered.
- Online: Direct payment on the Transport for London website.
- TfL Pay to Drive in London app: Manage Congestion Charge and ULEZ in one place.
- Phone: 0343 222 2222 (TfL call charges apply).
For full-time London private hire drivers, Auto Pay is typically the most sensible option because you'll drive through the zone often and one forgotten payment can trigger the £180 penalty.
Who is exempt or gets a discount?
Several groups qualify for full or partial exemptions:
- Blue Badge holders get a 100% discount (register in advance).
- Residents inside the CCZ get a 90% discount (register in advance).
- Motorcycles, mopeds and scooters are fully exempt.
- Licensed London black cabs are fully exempt (hackney carriages with a current TfL taxi licence).
- Nine-seat-or-more vehicles are exempt (includes minibuses).
Private hire drivers, including Uber, Bolt and FreeNow drivers, are NOT exempt. TfL removed the PHV exemption in 2019. Every Uber or private hire trip that enters or crosses the CCZ during charging hours carries the standard £18 charge.
Has the electric vehicle discount changed in 2026?
Yes. The Cleaner Vehicle Discount, which previously exempted zero-emission vehicles from the Congestion Charge, changed at the end of 2025. The revised scheme tightened the qualifying criteria and altered the discount structure. Many electric vehicles that were previously fully exempt now pay either a reduced rate or the full daily charge.
If you drive an EV in central London, check the current Cleaner Vehicle Discount rules on TfL and re-register your vehicle if needed. Don't assume an older exemption still applies under the new scheme.
Congestion Charge vs ULEZ: what's the difference?
- Congestion Charge applies within the CCZ (central London only) during charging hours, regardless of vehicle emissions. The £18 daily fee applies to almost any vehicle entering the zone during those hours.
- ULEZ applies across almost all of Greater London, 24 hours a day, but only to vehicles that fail current emissions standards. Most modern petrol (2005+) and diesel (2015+) vehicles are ULEZ-compliant.
A non-compliant vehicle driving through central London during charging hours pays both charges on the same day. A compliant vehicle entering the CCZ during charging hours pays only the Congestion Charge.
Frequently asked questions
Does Uber pay the London Congestion Charge?
Uber drivers pay the London Congestion Charge whenever they drive inside the zone during charging hours. Uber adds a £1.50 Central London Fee to every trip that starts, ends or passes through the Congestion Charge zone, applied 24 hours a day. The fee helps offset CCZ and ULEZ costs for drivers but doesn't cover the full £18 daily charge on its own.
Do electric cars still pay the Congestion Charge in 2026?
The long-standing EV exemption changed at the end of 2025 when TfL revised the Cleaner Vehicle Discount. Many EVs now pay either a reduced rate or the full daily charge. Always check current TfL Cleaner Vehicle Discount eligibility for your specific vehicle registration.
Do London taxi drivers pay the Congestion Charge?
Licensed London black cabs (hackney carriages) are exempt. Private hire vehicles — including Uber, Bolt and FreeNow — are not exempt and pay the standard charge during charging hours.
Do I pay the Congestion Charge if I don't drive?
No. The charge only applies when you actually drive inside the CCZ during charging hours. If your vehicle sits parked for a day, that day isn't charged.
How do I avoid the London Congestion Charge?
Plan around the charging windows: work inside the CCZ before 7am or after 6pm on weekdays, or before noon and after 6pm on weekends. Check the zone map before accepting trips that cross central London.
How do I know if my vehicle is exempt?
Enter your vehicle registration on the TfL website. It will tell you whether your vehicle qualifies for any current exemption or discount, and what to register.
Are London black cabs exempt from the Congestion Charge?
Yes. London black cabs (hackney carriages) with a current TfL taxi licence are exempt. Private hire vehicles are not.
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References
Transport for London – Congestion Charge (tfl.gov.uk) – WebFetch-verified for 2026. Cited for the current £18 standard daily charge, £21 late payment charge, charging hours (7am–6pm weekdays, noon–6pm weekends), Christmas to New Year exemption, and the Cleaner Vehicle Discount revision from late 2025. https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge