Congestion Charging Zones UK
We’ve listed all the congestion charging zones in the UK. PHV drivers need to be aware of these zones so they don’t get penalties for driving inside them without knowing.
Many drivers in London are aware of the Congestion Charging Zone, The ULEZ and the Silvertown & Blackwall Tunnel Charge. But other cities across the UK also have CAZ zones and most require PHV’s to pay, even if their vehicle meets the standards in London.
LONDON
London has different charging zones, which are chargeable depending on different factors such as time of day, and vehicle. We’ve listed them all below with the relevant information.
London Congestion Charge
The Congestion Charge Zone covers most of central London and if you drive through it at specific times of day, you will need to pay a £15 daily charge.
The London Congestion Charge Zone Times:
Monday to Friday : 7am to 6pm
Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays: 12pm to 6pm
Christmas and New Year’s Day: No Charge
ULEZ Charge
The London Ultra Low Emission Zone Charge. The ULEZ zone is larger than the Congestion Charge Zone and operates across all London boroughs inside the M25. Vehicles that don’t meet the ULEZ requirement will need to pay a £12.50 daily charge.
ULEZ Operating Times
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a week.
There is no charge on Christmas Day 25 Dec
Silvertown & Blackwall Tunnel Charge
This is a new charge from 7th April 2025. Vehicles travelling via the new Silvertown Tunnel or existing Blackwall Tunnel will need to pay a charge per crossing, which means you need to pay each time you enter the tunnels. The prices vary depending on the vehicle and time of day. To pay the lower rates, you will need to register for Auto Pay, which reduces the cost significantly.
Silvertown & Blackwall Tunnel Charge:
These charges will apply 6am-10pm and are per tunnel crossing
No charges will apply 10pm-6am and on Christmas Day.
The Dart Charge
If you use either of the Dartford Crossing on the M25, you will need to pay the Dart Charge which has a similar logo to the London Congestion Charge. The Dart Charge depends on your vehicle type and is active 6am and 10pm.
Dart Charge Times:
6am to 10pm – 7 Days a week all year round.
Including Bank Holidays and Weekends.
10pm to 6am – No Charge
Dart Charge Price:
Cars: £2.50 per crossing (£2.00 if you have an account)
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN’s)
Many London Boroughs run something called Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN’s), which have specific roads that you cannot drive through at certain times of day. For example School Streets.
You must have a permit to drive through these roads or you will be given a penalty. Some PHV drivers work with companies that are contracted to do school pick-ups, they will be able to contact the local council to arrange permits to access these roads to complete bookings.
Some LTN streets have been completely blocked off and are not accessible with a vehicle. PHV drivers may find it difficult to pick up passengers who live within these streets.
UK cities
Other cities around the UK operate Clean Air Zones (CAZ). If you drive your licensed PHV vehicle through some of these towns regardless of having a booking at the time or not, you may need to pay the charge or risk getting a penalty charge notice.
Bath Clean Air Zone (Bath CAZ)
The City of Bath in the UK has a Clean Air Zone which charges PHV drivers a £9 per day charge to access.
If you are a PHV licensed by TfL and you drive into the CAZ zone in Bath regardless of if you’re on a booking or not, you will need to pay Bath CAZ charge.
Bath CAZ Operating Times:
24 hours a day – 7 days a week
All year round.
Bath CAZ price:
£9 per day midnight to midnight
Must be paid within 7 days of travelling in the Bath CAZ
Birmingham Clean Air Zone (Birmingham CAZ)
The Clean Air Zone in Birmingham operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week, all year round. The charge is for non-compliant vehicles and taxis (this includes PHV licensed by TfL). If you drive through the Birmingham CAZ area with your PHV, you will need to pay an £8 daily fee.
Birmingham CAZ Operating Times:
24 hours a day – 7 days a week
All year round.
Birmingham CAZ prices:
Private Hire Vehicles: £8 per day
Bradford Clean Air Zone (Bradford CAZ)
Bradford in the North of the UK operated a CAZ area which charges non-compliant vehicles and Private Hire Vehicles, including PHV’s registered with TfL in London a £7 per day charge. Something to keep in mind, the Bradford CAZ area covers different parts of Bradford and unlike other CAZ areas it doesn’t simple just cover one circled off area.
Bradford CAZ Operating Times:
24 hours a day – 7 days a week
All year round.
Bradford CAZ prices:
Private Hire Vehicles: £7 per day
Bristol Clean Air Zone (Bristol CAZ)
The city of Bristol in the based in the west of the UK operated a clean air zone which charges Private Hire Vehicles, even if they are TfL registered PHV’s a £9 per day fee to access the area.
Bristol CAZ Operating Times:
24 hours a day – 7 days a week
All year round.
Bristol CAZ prices:
Private Hire Vehicles: £9 per day
Portsmouth Clean Air Zone (Portsmouth CAZ)
Located near the south side of the UK near the coast is the town of Portsmouth. Here there is a Clean Air Zone which private hire vehicles, even those registered by TfL in London have to pay a £10 per day charge to access the area.
Portsmouth CAZ Operating Times:
24 hours a day – 7 days a week
All year round.
Portsmouth CAZ prices:
Private Hire Vehicles: £10 per day
Sheffield Clean Air Zone (Sheffield CAZ)
The city of Sheffield located in the North of England operates the smallest CAZ area in the UK. Vehicles that are registered as Private Hire Vehicles, even if they are not working and are licensed by Tfl in London will need to pay a daily charge of £10 to enter the area.
Sheffield CAZ Operating Times:
24 hours a day – 7 days a week
All year round.
Sheffield CAZ prices:
Private Hire Vehicles: £10 per day
Tyneside Clean Air Zone (Tyneside CAZ)
The northern cities of Newcastle and Gateshead are covered by the Tyneside clean air zone. Unlike other CAZ areas, the Tyneside CAZ covers the city centre of Newcastle as well as other routes. If you drive in these areas with a Private Hire Licensed vehicle, even if it is registered by TfL in London, you will need to pay a daily charge of £12.50.
Tyneside CAZ Operating Times:
24 hours a day – 7 days a week
All year round.
Tyneside CAZ prices:
Private Hire Vehicles: £12.50 per day
london airports
Most airports now charge a drop-off fee for each time you drop off a passenger at the airport. We’ve listed the current airport drop-off fees for London airports.
London Heathrow Drop-off charge
Heathrow Airport Drop-off charge is applicable at all terminals and costs £6 per drop-off.
The Heathrow Airport Drop-off charge can be pre-paid online or after the drop-off. It must be paid by midnight the day after the drop-off.
London Gatwick Airport Drop-off charge
Gatwick Airport Drop-off charge is applicable at both terminals and costs £6 per drop off.
The Gatwick Airport Drop-off charge can be paid via AutoPay or online or over the phone after a drop off. The charge must be paid by midnight of the day after the drop off.
Here’s more information on how to pay the Gatwick Drop-off charge
London City Airport Drop-off charge
London City Airport Drop-off is free.
However, as like all other airports, the London City Airport will charge for picking up passengers when you use the short stay car park.
London Stansted Airport Drop-off Charge
Stansted Airport Drop-off charge is applicable and costs £7 per drop off. If you spend more than 15 minutes at the drop-off area, it will cost £15.
If you re-enter within 30 minutes from your first drop-ff, you will need to pay an additional £20 charge.
The Stansted Airport Drop-off charge can be paid via Express Set Down or online or over the phone after a drop off. The charge must be paid by midnight of the day after the drop off.
Here’s more information on how to pay the Stansted Drop-off charge
London Luton Airport Drop-off charge
Luton Airport Drop-off charge is applicable and costs £5 per drop off. If you spend more than 5 minutes at the drop-off area, it will cost £1 per minute after.
The Luton Airport Drop-off charge can only be paid online. The charge must be paid by midnight of the day after the drop off.
Here’s more information on how to pay the Luton Drop-off charge
London Southend Aiport Drop-off Charge
Southend Airport Drop-off charge is applicable and costs £6 per drop off. If you spend more than 10 minutes at the drop-off area, it will cost £8.50.
The Southend Airport Drop-off charge can only be paid at the airport.
Here’s more information on how to pay the Southend Drop-off charge