ULEZ PCN Appeal: Ultra Low Emission Zone Vehicle Standards (2026)
Received a ULEZ PCN for a vehicle you believe is compliant, exempt or already paid for? Parking Mate UK checks the emissions evidence, TfL's vehicle record and the charged journey, then prepares and submits your ULEZ representation.
Start with a free ULEZ PCN assessment. Our £9.99 Automated Penalty Charge Appeal Service prepares and submits your representation and handles your tribunal appeal.
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1. What does a ULEZ PCN mean?
A ULEZ PCN concerns a vehicle driven within the Ultra Low Emission Zone without the charge required for its emissions status. ULEZ and Ultra Low Emission Zone are two names for the same scheme.
Vehicle age is a useful starting point, not the final emissions test. A challenge can turn on technical evidence showing that TfL's record does not reflect the vehicle's actual emissions compliance.
- Scheme
- Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), across all London boroughs; the M25 is excluded
- Operating times
- 24 hours a day except Christmas Day; each charging day runs midnight to midnight
- Petrol standard
- Euro 4 for nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Diesel standard
- Euro 6 for nitrogen oxides and particulate matter
- Motorcycles
- Euro 3 for motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles and quadricycles
- Daily charge
- £12.50 if the vehicle does not meet the standard and no exemption applies
- Daily-charge payment deadline
- Midnight on the third day after travel
- PCN and discount
- £180, reduced to £90 within 14 days beginning with service
The legislation governing ULEZ
ULEZ is founded on section 295 and Schedule 23 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 and the Greater London Low Emission Zone Charging Order 2006, as varied. The varied scheme sets the vehicles and emissions standards, the daily charge, payment requirements and penalties. The 2001 London charging and enforcement regulations, as amended, provide the statutory challenge route.
For a practical challenge, connect the PCN to the vehicle's emissions evidence, the date and location of travel, any applicable exemption and the payment record. Manufacturer evidence can help correct a vehicle record that wrongly shows a charge is due.
[6][11][12][7][8][9][10][13][14]2. Which emissions standard applies to your vehicle?
ULEZ covers cars and smaller vehicles, including vans and specialist vehicles up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight, and minibuses up to and including 5 tonnes. The petrol, diesel and motorcycle standards are different.
Check the V5C alongside a manufacturer letter or Certificate of Conformity identifying the vehicle and its emissions. For a non-UK registration, also check whether the vehicle was registered with TfL. Heavier vehicles fall under LEZ rather than ULEZ.
Each charging day runs from midnight to midnight. Driving before and after midnight can require payment for two dates, rather than one rolling 24-hour period. Compare each PCN with the date on the receipt. The daily charge can be paid by midnight on the third day after travel.
If you believe the checker is wrong, keep the result and obtain evidence for the exact vehicle, not just another example of the same model. If the camera appears to show a different vehicle, supply photographs identifying the differences. These are different issues from forgetting a charge that was correctly due.
- Vehicle identity, fuel type, Euro standard and emissions evidence match the PCN.
- The camera journey falls inside the zone on the stated date.
- A £12.50 payment or Auto Pay transaction covers the correct vehicle and charging day.
- An exemption or registered grace period was valid when the vehicle travelled.
ULEZ exemptions and grace periods
TfL publishes exemptions and time-limited grace periods for specified vehicles and circumstances. A Blue Badge alone does not exempt a vehicle from ULEZ. Include the relevant approval, vehicle classification and dates, rather than assuming the Congestion Charge Blue Badge discount also covers ULEZ.
- Disabled or disabled-passenger tax class: UK-registered qualifying vehicles have a grace period through 24 October 2027 without separate TfL registration. Qualifying non-UK vehicles must register.
- Wheelchair-accessible conversions and qualifying disability benefits or medical criteria: approved applicants receive a grace period until 25 October 2027. These routes require an application; a Blue Badge alone is insufficient.
- Qualifying community-transport minibuses: registered temporary discount through 24 October 2027. TfL specifies organisation, seating, weight and continuous ownership, lease or hire requirements.
- London-licensed taxis are exempt. Designated wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles have a grace period through 24 October 2027 only while carrying out a booking for a TfL-licensed operator.
- Historic vehicles: vehicles built before 1 January 1973, or vehicles over 40 years old successfully registered in the historic tax class. Some specialist vehicles and registered showman's vehicles also qualify.
- NHS patient reimbursement is a separate arrangement for eligible journeys, not an automatic ULEZ exemption or PCN cancellation.
3. Grounds for a ULEZ PCN appeal
- The vehicle met the applicable emissions standard; provide technical evidence supporting correction of TfL's record.
- The ULEZ charge was paid on time for the correct registration and date.
- An exemption or valid grace period meant that no ULEZ charge was due.
- The camera identified the wrong vehicle, or keeper, consent or qualifying hire evidence establishes that the recipient was not liable.
4. How to submit your ULEZ representation
Make formal representations to TfL within 28 days beginning with service of the PCN.
Attach the V5C, vehicle-specific emissions evidence, TfL registration or exemption confirmation, and payment records that support your ground.
- Open TfL's challenge service with the PCN number and vehicle registration.
- State the ground for cancellation and upload the documents supporting it. Keep the submission confirmation and a copy of everything sent.
- For a postal representation, complete and sign the notice's representation section and send it with your evidence to Low Emission Zone, PO Box 553, Darlington, DL1 9TZ. Allow time for delivery before the deadline.
- If Parking Mate UK is acting for you, provide authorisation so we can submit the representation on your behalf.
5. The 50% discount while you challenge
TfL freezes a ULEZ PCN while considering representations. The payment discount is 50%, reducing £180 to £90 within the 14-day service-based period. Submit while the discount applies if you want that amount held during the investigation.
[4][5]6. TfL's response and the next step
TfL may accept the representation, request more evidence or reject it. If it requests information, send the records by the deadline in that letter and keep a copy.
An acceptance closes the disputed PCN. A rejection explains the payment position and the independent appeal route. Keep it with your original representation and the supporting vehicle or payment records.
[4]7. Taking your ULEZ appeal to London Tribunals
After rejection, appeal within 28 days beginning with service of the rejection notice. ULEZ appeals go to the Road User Charging Adjudicators. The tribunal is independent of TfL and there is no appeal filing fee.
Use the appeal form or online verification details provided. Submit your representation, TfL's decision and the evidence supporting your vehicle status, payment or exemption ground. Review TfL's evidence pack and respond to the disputed points.
Parking Mate UK prepares and submits your tribunal appeal and helps respond to the evidence pack. If the tribunal refuses the appeal, follow the payment deadline in its decision.
[16][17]ULEZ tribunal decisions
Selected decisions about ULEZ are assessed against the evidence and rules applicable to each journey.
Missing TfL evidence and a manufacturer's Euro 6 confirmation
Case 925027080A / 2025-07-10 / Adjudicator Louise Fisher
TfL supplied no evidence proving the alleged ULEZ contraventions; the adjudicator also recorded manufacturer evidence that the vehicle met Euro 6 standards.
“TfL has not provided any evidence to demonstrate that there were contraventions of the Scheme”
Louise Fisher, case 925027080A
Ilford Lane
This reference formed part of a group of ULEZ appeals concerning journeys in January 2025. Louise Fisher determined the appeals on the papers after neither party attended the listed video hearing. TfL had not supplied evidence demonstrating that the alleged contraventions occurred, so Fisher found that the appellant had no case to answer.
The decision also recorded manufacturer evidence dated 19 May 2025 stating that the vehicle met Euro 6 standards. That evidence gave nitrogen oxide emissions of 0.0723 g/km and particulate matter emissions of 0.0019 g/km. Fisher introduced this as an additional point after finding that TfL had not proved its case.
The appeals were allowed, with cancellation of the listed penalties and reimbursement of any amounts already paid. This was an adjudicated evidential decision, not an expressly uncontested withdrawal. The primary finding was the absence of TfL's evidence; the manufacturer confirmation was additional support, not a ruling that every vehicle of the same age or model was compliant.
Read the case commentaryFind case 925027080A in the official registerA returned payment did not defeat credible evidence of timely payment
Case 9250064874 / 2025-03-26 / Adjudicator Michael Range
A pending-payment screenshot and the appellant's payment history persuaded the adjudicator that the ULEZ charge had been paid as required.
“He cannot be liable for the reason it was returned to him.”
Michael Range, case 9250064874
Hertford Road
The ULEZ allegation concerned a journey on 18 October 2024. The appellant said he paid in the usual way, but the transaction remained pending and was returned after the payment window expired. He supplied a screenshot showing a pending payment to TfL of £12.50 on 21 October 2024. TfL relied on its payment history, which showed no payment received for the journey.
Michael Range found the appellant credible. He considered the screenshot alongside TfL's own evidence that the appellant had paid the daily charge for other dates. On the balance of probabilities, he found that payment had been made at the time and in the manner required by the scheme.
The appeal was allowed and TfL was directed to cancel the penalty and return any money paid towards it. The decision resolved the disputed payment evidence; it did not find that the vehicle was ULEZ compliant. It also does not establish that every pending bank transaction proves payment: the finding rested on the evidence accepted in this appeal.
Read the case commentaryFind case 9250064874 in the official registerUnchallenged vehicle and payment evidence supported the ULEZ penalty
Case 9250052525 / 2025-03-22 / Adjudicator Gregor Mcgill Cbe
TfL's photographs, witness statement and vehicle records were accepted; the appellant supplied no evidence challenging the allegation.
“I note that the appellant has served no evidence to challenge the evidence put forward by TfL.”
Gregor Mcgill Cbe, case 9250052525
Spur Road
TfL alleged that the vehicle used the ULEZ without payment on 12 September 2024. It supplied photographs with a witness statement, payment records and DVLA documentation identifying the registered keeper. Its vehicle evidence described an M1 diesel manufactured in 2010, which TfL said did not meet the relevant emissions standard.
After making a statutory declaration, the appellant submitted no evidence supporting the appeal. Gregor Mcgill Cbe accepted TfL's evidence that the vehicle was chargeable, had travelled within the zone and had not been covered by a daily payment. He expressly noted the absence of evidence challenging TfL's case.
The appeal was refused following consideration of the evidence, rather than treated as an uncontested cancellation. The decision illustrates the difference between reaching the appeal stage and establishing a ground of appeal. It records a finding about this vehicle on the evidence supplied, not a fresh technical assessment of every vehicle manufactured in the same year.
Read the case commentaryFind case 9250052525 in the official register2025 RUCA results: ULEZ
1,519 of 5,468 recorded cases were allowed (27.8%).
| Recorded outcome | Cases |
|---|---|
| Allowed | 1,519 |
| Refused | 3,255 |
| Direction made | 694 |
| Total | 5,468 |
Sources and references
- TfL: Ultra Low Emission Zone
Coverage, vehicle scope, charging days and £12.50 daily charge; checked 11 September 2026.
- TfL: ways to meet the ULEZ standard
Euro 3, Euro 4 and Euro 6 requirements by vehicle type.
- TfL: ULEZ discounts and exemptions
Exemptions and grace periods; Blue Badge status is not a general exemption.
- TfL: challenge a ULEZ PCN
Representations, discount, evidence and ULEZ postal address.
- TfL: ULEZ penalty charges
£180 penalty, £90 discounted amount and daily-charge payment deadline.
- Greater London Authority Act 1999
Section 295; Schedule 23 paragraphs 3, 4, 8-13 and 38. As-enacted PDF pages 209, 392-395 and 404.
- Road User Charging (Charges and Penalty Charges) (London) Regulations 2001, SI 2001/2285
Regulations 4-6; read as amended.
- Road User Charging (Charges and Penalty Charges) (London) (Amendment) Regulations 2003, SI 2003/109
Regulations 4-5.
- Road User Charging (Enforcement and Adjudication) (London) Regulations 2001, SI 2001/2313
Regulations 12-14, 16; Schedule paragraph 13. Read with amendments, not the original regulation 12 wording alone.
- Road User Charging (Enforcement and Adjudication) (London) (Amendment) Regulations 2003, SI 2003/108
Regulations 7-9 amend regulations 12, 13 and 16 respectively.
- Greater London Low Emission Zone Charging Order 2006: informal consolidation for 29 August 2023
Scheduled scheme articles 4-11 and 14; Annex 2 Parts 1 and 2. This is an informal 2023 consolidation; see the published variation orders for later changes.
- ULEZ publications: scheme orders and variations
Scheme Order, November 2022 and September 2024 sections.
- Challenge a ULEZ Penalty Charge Notice
Timing your representation; payment evidence; making an appeal. Tribunal deadline is sourced to legislation above.
- Register a vehicle to drive in London
Vehicle evidence; proof of ULEZ standards; registration-plate changes.
- GOV.UK: get vehicle information from DVLA
Official vehicle enquiry service: registration, fuel type, European status, type approval and recorded weight.
- London Tribunals: road-user-charging appeals
Independent tribunal route and appeal procedure.
- Road User Charging (Enforcement and Adjudication) (London) Regulations 2001
As amended: representations and adjudication, including regulation 16.
About Parking Mate UK
We focus your ULEZ appeal on the vehicle's emissions, registration and journey records. That means distinguishing a compliant vehicle recorded incorrectly from an unpaid charge, and preparing the evidence needed for your particular dispute.
Send us your ULEZ PCN for a free assessment. Our automated appeal platform prepares your documents, submits your representation, tracks deadlines and handles the tribunal appeal, with support online and on WhatsApp.
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