What are the congestion charge signs on the road?
What are the congestion charge signs on the road? The red circular C symbol is used to indicate roads that lead into the zone. A white version of the symbol is painted on the road in traffic lanes that lead to the Congestion Charge zone, and red-and-white symbols are painted across the road at entry points.
Where is the congestion charge zone?
It covers approximately the area from Kings Cross in the north to Vauxhall in the south, and Paddington in the west to Whitechapel in the east. All roads around the perimeter of the zone are monitored by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
Is traffic congestion getting worse?
According to the 2023 report, the typical driver in the country lost 51 hours in congestion in 2022, up 15 hours from 2021, costing the average driver $869 in lost time. Nationally, drivers spent 4.8 billion hours in congestion, which is still short of 2019's 6 billion lost hours.
What happens if you accidentally go into the congestion zone?
The congestion zones themselves work by using cameras to capture the registration plates of those driving there. A fee will be issued to you if you have not pre-paid, and you will be notified of this – so, even if you drove in the zone accidentally, you will find out.
What cars are affected by the new congestion charge?
This includes most combustion-engined cars on the road, including hybrids. Only zero-emission cars have been exempt from the Congestion Charge, such as electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. However, from December 2025, even drivers of zero-emission vehicles will be required to pay the congestion charge.
Do electric cars pay Congestion Charge?
That means you won't need to pay the fee if you drive into a congestion zone in an electric car, so that can save some real money if you regularly drive in the city. Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) are not exempt from the charges, and you'll have to pay if you drive in congestion charge zones.
What cars are exempt from congestion charge?
- Blue Badge holders.
- Roadside recovery vehicles.
- Accredited breakdown vehicles.
- Vehicles with nine or more seats.
- Cars that emit 75g/km or less of CO2.
- Zero-emission vehicles (Fully electric vehicles and any other zero emissions vehicles)
Can I pay the Congestion Charge by phone?
You can pay for the Congestion Charge in several different ways. The official TfL website lets you pay online, or you can use a dedicated Congestion Charge app. If you don't have internet access, you can pay by phone or set up an Auto Pay account for automatic payments.
Are electric cars exempt from Congestion Charge?
While electric vehicles are currently exempt in 2023, from 25 December 2025, the Cleaner Vehicle discount will end. After this date, all electric vehicles – including pure battery electric vehicles – will no longer be exempt, and EV drivers will have to pay the congestion charge.