How does the ULEZ read my number plate?

If you drive in London, you may have heard of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which is a scheme that aims to reduce air pollution and improve public health by charging drivers of older and more polluting vehicles a daily fee to enter the zone. The ULEZ covers most of central London and, since October 2023, has been expanded to include all areas within the North and South Circular roads.

But how does the ULEZ know if your vehicle meets the emissions standards or not? The answer is: by reading your number plate. The ULEZ uses a network of cameras that scan the number plates of all vehicles entering or driving within the zone. The cameras then send the number plate data to a central system that checks it against several databases, such as:

– The DVLA database, which contains information about the vehicle’s make, model, age, fuel type and CO2 emissions
– The Transport for London (TfL) database, which contains information about the vehicle’s Euro standard, which is a measure of how much nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) it emits
– The TfL compliance and registration database, which contains information about the vehicle’s eligibility for discounts or exemptions from the ULEZ charge, such as being a disabled passenger vehicle, a historic vehicle, a showman’s vehicle or a military vehicle

If the system finds that your vehicle does not meet the ULEZ standards, which are Euro 4 for petrol vehicles and Euro 6 for diesel vehicles, you will have to pay a daily charge of £12.50 to drive within the zone. If you fail to pay the charge and are caught by the cameras, you will face a penalty of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.

If you are not sure if your vehicle meets the ULEZ standards or not, you can use the online ULEZ Checker tool on the TfL website. You just need to enter your vehicle’s registration number and the tool will tell you if you need to pay the charge or not. However, be aware that the tool may not be accurate for some vehicles, especially those that are registered outside the UK or have been modified or retrofitted with abatement equipment. In that case, you may need to register your vehicle with TfL and provide proof of its emissions standard or exemption status.

The ULEZ is part of London’s efforts to tackle air pollution and climate change, which are serious threats to public health and the environment. By encouraging drivers to switch to cleaner and greener vehicles, the ULEZ aims to reduce harmful emissions by up to 45% by 2030 and improve air quality for millions of Londoners.