ULEZ, LEZ & Clean Air Zone Guide (2026)

Is your car compliant? Check the emissions rules for London ULEZ and every UK clean air zone. Petrol cars need Euro 4+ (roughly 2006 onwards). Diesel cars need Euro 6+ (roughly 2015 onwards).

Zone details checked in October 2026. The model table draws on DVSA MOT data for 6,054 popular model years.

Is Your Specific Car ULEZ Compliant?

Enter your reg plate. We show the Euro emissions standard DVLA holds for the car (or an estimate from its age if DVLA has none), its MOT history, and whether it is likely to meet ULEZ and clean air zone rules.

Euro 4

Petrol standard (most cars from 2006)

Euro 6

Diesel standard (most cars from Sept 2015)

£12.50

London ULEZ daily charge

ULEZ Compliance Rules at a Glance

Petrol Cars

Must meet Euro 4 or later. In practice, most petrol cars registered from January 2006 onwards are compliant. Some models from as early as 2001 also qualify.

Diesel Cars

Must meet Euro 6 or later. In practice, most diesel cars registered from September 2015 onwards are compliant. Older diesels are almost certainly non-compliant.

Electric Vehicles

Fully electric vehicles are exempt from all ULEZ and clean air zone charges. No registration year requirement.

Hybrids

Not automatically exempt. A hybrid is judged on its engine: a petrol hybrid needs Euro 4 (most from 2006 onwards are fine) and a diesel hybrid needs Euro 6. Check your specific model.

How to Check Your Car's Euro Emissions Standard

Check your V5C (logbook). The Euro emissions standard may be listed on it (for example "Euro 4" or "Euro 6"). Not every logbook shows it; if yours does not, the date of first registration is in section B.
Use the TfL online checker. Enter your registration at tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle for an instant result.
Use the year as a rough guide. Petrol 2006+ or diesel September 2015+ is compliant in most cases, but always confirm with the official checker for certainty.

Popular Models: ULEZ Compliance Status

Estimated from the registration year alone. Many models were sold with petrol and diesel engines, so both answers are shown. Always confirm with the TfL checker.

Car	Year	If petrol	If diesel	Reason
Ford Focus	2013	Compliant	Non-compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars registered before September 2015 are unlikely to meet Euro 6.
Vauxhall Astra	2013	Compliant	Non-compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars registered before September 2015 are unlikely to meet Euro 6.
BMW 3 Series	2013	Compliant	Non-compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars registered before September 2015 are unlikely to meet Euro 6.
Ford Fiesta	2014	Compliant	Non-compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars registered before September 2015 are unlikely to meet Euro 6.
Vauxhall Corsa	2014	Compliant	Non-compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars registered before September 2015 are unlikely to meet Euro 6.
Volkswagen Golf	2014	Compliant	Non-compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars registered before September 2015 are unlikely to meet Euro 6.
Fiat 500	2014	Compliant	Non-compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars registered before September 2015 are unlikely to meet Euro 6.
Ford Fiesta	2015	Compliant	Check required	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesels registered from September 2015 generally meet Euro 6; earlier 2015 cars may not.
Vauxhall Corsa	2015	Compliant	Check required	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesels registered from September 2015 generally meet Euro 6; earlier 2015 cars may not.
Ford Focus	2015	Compliant	Check required	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesels registered from September 2015 generally meet Euro 6; earlier 2015 cars may not.
Volkswagen Golf	2015	Compliant	Check required	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesels registered from September 2015 generally meet Euro 6; earlier 2015 cars may not.
Nissan Qashqai	2015	Compliant	Check required	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesels registered from September 2015 generally meet Euro 6; earlier 2015 cars may not.
Volkswagen Polo	2015	Compliant	Check required	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesels registered from September 2015 generally meet Euro 6; earlier 2015 cars may not.
Audi A3	2015	Compliant	Check required	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesels registered from September 2015 generally meet Euro 6; earlier 2015 cars may not.
Vauxhall Mokka	2015	Compliant	Check required	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesels registered from September 2015 generally meet Euro 6; earlier 2015 cars may not.
Nissan Juke	2015	Compliant	Check required	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesels registered from September 2015 generally meet Euro 6; earlier 2015 cars may not.
Ford Fiesta	2016	Compliant	Compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars first registered from 2016 generally meet Euro 6.
Vauxhall Corsa	2016	Compliant	Compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars first registered from 2016 generally meet Euro 6.
Ford Focus	2016	Compliant	Compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars first registered from 2016 generally meet Euro 6.
Mercedes C	2016	Compliant	Compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars first registered from 2016 generally meet Euro 6.
Volkswagen Golf	2017	Compliant	Compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars first registered from 2016 generally meet Euro 6.
Nissan Qashqai	2017	Compliant	Compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars first registered from 2016 generally meet Euro 6.
Mercedes A-Class	2017	Compliant	Compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars first registered from 2016 generally meet Euro 6.
Ford Transit	2017	Compliant	Compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars first registered from 2016 generally meet Euro 6.
Mercedes A	2019	Compliant	Compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars first registered from 2016 generally meet Euro 6.
Ford Kuga	2019	Compliant	Compliant	Petrol cars first registered from 2006 generally meet Euro 4. Diesel cars first registered from 2016 generally meet Euro 6.

All UK Clean Air Zones (2026)

The UK's clean air and low emission zones, checked in October 2026. In England, London's ULEZ and the Birmingham and Bristol clean air zones charge non-compliant private cars; the other clean air zones charge only some taxis, vans, buses, coaches and lorries. London's Congestion Charge and Oxford's zero emission zone charge most cars whatever their emissions.

London ULEZ

£12.50/day

Area: All London boroughs (the M25 itself is not included)

Hours: 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day

Rules: Petrol Euro 4+, Diesel Euro 6+, or pay the daily charge

Launched: April 2019 (expanded August 2023)

London LEZ

£100-£300/day for non-compliant heavy vehicles

Area: Greater London

Hours: 24 hours, every day

Rules: Applies to lorries, buses and coaches (Euro VI required) and to larger diesel vans and minibuses (Euro 3 required). Cars are not covered.

Launched: February 2008

London Congestion Charge

£18/day (£21 if paid by midnight on the third day after)

Area: Central London

Hours: 7am-6pm Mon-Fri, 12pm-6pm Sat-Sun and bank holidays (no charge from Christmas Day to the New Year's Day bank holiday)

Rules: Separate from ULEZ. Applies whatever a car's emissions, unless it is exempt or has a discount.

Launched: February 2003

Birmingham Clean Air Zone

£8/day for cars, £50/day for HGVs

Area: Birmingham city centre (within A4540 ring road)

Hours: 24 hours, every day

Rules: Petrol Euro 4+, Diesel Euro 6+

Launched: June 2021

Bristol Clean Air Zone

£9/day for cars, £100/day for HGVs

Area: Bristol city centre

Hours: 24 hours, every day

Rules: Petrol Euro 4+, Diesel Euro 6+

Launched: November 2022

Bath Clean Air Zone

No charge for private cars

Area: Bath city centre

Hours: 24 hours, every day

Rules: Class C zone: non-compliant taxis, vans, minibuses, buses, coaches and lorries pay. Private cars do not.

Launched: March 2021

Bradford Clean Air Zone

No charge for private cars

Area: Bradford city centre

Hours: 24 hours, every day

Rules: Non-compliant taxis (£7/day), vans and minibuses (£9/day), and lorries, buses and coaches (£50/day) pay. Private cars and motorbikes do not.

Launched: September 2022

Portsmouth Clean Air Zone

No charge for private cars

Area: Parts of Portsmouth city centre

Hours: 24 hours, every day

Rules: Class B zone: non-compliant taxis, private hire vehicles, buses, coaches and lorries pay. Private cars and vans do not.

Launched: November 2021

Sheffield Clean Air Zone

No charge for private cars

Area: Sheffield city centre (inner ring road)

Hours: 24 hours, every day

Rules: Class C zone: non-compliant taxis, vans, minibuses, buses, coaches and lorries pay. Private cars do not.

Launched: February 2023

Newcastle/Gateshead Clean Air Zone

No charge for private cars

Area: Newcastle and Gateshead city centres

Hours: 24 hours, every day

Rules: Class C zone: non-compliant taxis, vans, minibuses, buses, coaches and lorries pay. Private cars do not.

Launched: January 2023

Oxford Zero Emission Zone

£2-£10/day (£0 for zero emission)

Area: Oxford city centre pilot area

Hours: 7am to 7pm, every day

Rules: Unlike a clean air zone, compliant cars pay too: £4/day for a petrol Euro 4 or diesel Euro 6 car, £10/day for older cars, £2/day under 75g/km CO2, £0 for zero emission vehicles. Separately, Oxford's traffic filter trial started on 28 September 2026: cars, including electric cars, can no longer pay to drive through the filter points, and the fine is £70 (£35 if paid within 21 days).

Launched: Pilot zone in operation (a wider zone has been proposed)

Glasgow LEZ

No daily charge: non-compliant cars are banned (£60 penalty, doubling on repeat)

Area: Glasgow city centre

Hours: 24 hours, every day

Rules: Petrol Euro 4+, Diesel Euro 6+. Scottish LEZs ban non-compliant cars rather than charging them

Launched: Enforced June 2023

Edinburgh LEZ

No daily charge: non-compliant cars are banned (£60 penalty, doubling on repeat)

Area: Edinburgh city centre

Hours: 24 hours, every day

Rules: Petrol Euro 4+, Diesel Euro 6+

Launched: Enforced June 2024

Aberdeen LEZ

No daily charge: non-compliant cars are banned (£60 penalty, doubling on repeat)

Area: Aberdeen city centre

Hours: 24 hours, every day

Rules: Petrol Euro 4+, Diesel Euro 6+

Launched: Enforced June 2024

Dundee LEZ

No daily charge: non-compliant cars are banned (£60 penalty, doubling on repeat)

Area: Dundee city centre

Hours: 24 hours, every day

Rules: Petrol Euro 4+, Diesel Euro 6+

Launched: Enforced May 2024

Greater Manchester

No charging zone

Area: Greater Manchester

Hours: Not applicable

Rules: The government has backed an investment-led clean air plan with no charges to drive on local roads.

Launched: No charging zone

The True Cost of Driving a Non-Compliant Car

If you regularly drive into a clean air zone with a non-compliant vehicle, the costs add up quickly. A daily commute into London ULEZ at £12.50/day costs approximately £3,250 per year (assuming 5 days a week, 52 weeks), on top of fuel, tax and insurance.

For comparison, upgrading from a pre-2006 petrol car to a compliant model could save you thousands. Even a modest 2006-2010 petrol car with a high MOT pass rate will cost far less to run than paying the daily charge.

£3,250/yr

Daily London commute (ULEZ charge only)

£2,080/yr

Birmingham CAZ (£8/day, 5 days/week)

£0/yr

Compliant car (no ULEZ or CAZ charge)

Thinking of Upgrading?

Check any car's MOT history, running costs, and reliability before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my car ULEZ compliant?

Petrol cars need Euro 4, which generally means cars first registered from 2006 (some from as early as 2001 qualify). Diesel cars need Euro 6, generally those first registered from September 2015. Fully electric cars meet the standards. Hybrids are not automatically exempt: they are judged on their petrol or diesel engine like any other car. The Euro standard may be listed on your V5C logbook, and TfL's online vehicle checker gives a definitive answer.

What is the ULEZ charge?

The London ULEZ charge is £12.50 a day for cars, motorcycles and vans that do not meet the emissions standards. It applies 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day. If you do not pay by midnight on the third day after driving in the zone, you can get a penalty charge of £180 (reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days).

Which clean air zones exist in the UK?

London has the ULEZ, the Low Emission Zone for heavier vehicles and the Congestion Charge. England has clean air zones in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Newcastle/Gateshead, but only Birmingham (£8 a day) and Bristol (£9 a day) charge non-compliant private cars; the others charge only some taxis, vans, buses, coaches and lorries. Oxford's zero emission zone pilot charges most petrol and diesel cars £4 to £10 a day, compliant or not. Scotland's Low Emission Zones in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee work differently: non-compliant cars are banned outright, with £60 penalties that double for repeat breaches. Greater Manchester has no charging zone.

Do I need to pay ULEZ if I drive through London?

Yes. The ULEZ covers all London boroughs (the M25 itself is not included). If your vehicle does not meet the emissions standards, you must pay £12.50 for each day you drive within the zone, even if you are just passing through. Each charging day runs from midnight to midnight.

Are electric cars exempt from ULEZ?

Yes. Fully electric cars meet the ULEZ standards, so they do not pay the ULEZ charge or any clean air zone charge. Hybrids, including plug-in hybrids, are not automatically exempt: a petrol hybrid needs Euro 4 and a diesel hybrid needs Euro 6, so check your specific model.

What happens if I do not pay the ULEZ charge?

You will receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. ANPR cameras enforce the zone automatically, so there is no barrier or checkpoint to pass through. The system reads your number plate and checks it against the database.

Cheapest Cars to Run

Find the most affordable cars to run in the UK

Reliability Rankings

Most and least reliable cars ranked by MOT pass rate

Common Problems by Make

Most common MOT failures for every car make

Motorbike ULEZ Check

Bikes need Euro 3: check a motorbike or moped by reg

Methodology

ULEZ compliance estimates in the model table are based on the first registration year only, using the popular models in DVSA MOT data, and are shown for both petrol and diesel versions. Petrol cars from 2006+ are assumed to meet Euro 4; diesel cars from September 2015+ are assumed to meet Euro 6. These are general guidelines. Some vehicles may have been registered with a different Euro standard than typical for their year. Always confirm using the official TfL vehicle checker or your V5C logbook. Clean air zone details were checked against GOV.UK, TfL and council websites on 24 October 2026, but zone rules and charges can change. Data sourced from the DVSA under the Open Government Licence v3.0.