Missing vehicle type and weight evidence undermined LEZ liability (2026)

Case 9250020121 / 2025-02-28 / Adjudicator Deborah Burke

Wellington Road

“I am not satisfied that the vehicle is liable to pay the daily charge”

Deborah Burke

TfL alleged an unpaid LEZ journey on 22 June 2024. Deborah Burke accepted the photographic and DVLA evidence identifying the keeper and placing the vehicle within the charging zone. Those points alone did not establish that the vehicle was subject to the daily charge.

TfL's case summary described the vehicle as N1 class II or N1 class III. However, the supplied vehicle-search document recorded both type approval and revenue weight as unavailable. Burke found no evidence establishing the asserted category and was not satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the vehicle was liable for the charge.

The appeal was allowed and cancellation directed because the penalty had not been shown to be properly issued. Burke expressly warned that the result did not mean the daily charge need not be paid for other LEZ journeys. This was an adjudicated failure of proof about classification, not a permanent exemption or a confirmed finding of emissions compliance.

Source and case reference

Use case reference 9250020121 in the London Tribunals register to find the official decision. This commentary distinguishes the adjudicator's finding from a possible argument in a different case; previous tribunal decisions do not bind another adjudicator.