ULEZ Checker — Is Your Car ULEZ Compliant?
Enter your registration to see whether your vehicle meets the London ULEZ and Clean Air Zone emission standards — instantly, and free. Motorscan reads your Euro rating from official DVLA data so you know if you'll pay the £12.50 daily charge.
- Official DVLA emissions data
- Instant compliance result
- Avoid a £180 penalty charge
What makes a car ULEZ compliant?
ULEZ compliance comes down to the Euro emission standard of the engine. Here is the rule of thumb by fuel type — the exact cut-off depends on type-approval, so checking by registration is the only sure way.
Petrol cars
Compliant if broadly registered from January 2006. Most petrol cars on the road today meet the standard and pay nothing.
Diesel cars
Compliant if broadly registered from September 2015. Many older diesels are non-compliant and face the daily charge.
Motorcycles
Motorcycles and mopeds must meet Euro 3, broadly those registered from 2007.
Electric & hybrid
Fully electric vehicles are always compliant. Most modern hybrids meet the petrol or diesel standard for their engine.
Where non-compliant private cars are charged
London is not the only city charging older vehicles. But most Clean Air Zones outside London only charge buses, taxis, vans and lorries — not private cars. As of 2026, these are the zones that also charge non-compliant private cars.
| Zone | Daily charge (non-compliant car) | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| London — ULEZ | £12.50 | Euro 4 petrol / Euro 6 diesel |
| Birmingham — CAZ | £8.00 | Euro 4 petrol / Euro 6 diesel |
| Bristol — CAZ | £9.00 | Euro 4 petrol / Euro 6 diesel |
| Bath, Bradford, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Newcastle | No car charge | Commercial vehicles only |
Charges and boundaries change — always confirm the specific zone before travelling. Motorscan shows your vehicle's emission standard so you can judge compliance in any UK zone.
How to check if your car is ULEZ compliant
Free, instant, and no need to know your Euro rating.
Enter your registration
Type your UK number plate into the search box above — cars, vans and motorcycles are all supported.
See your emission standard
Motorscan reads your vehicle's Euro emission standard from official DVLA data and tells you instantly whether it meets the ULEZ requirement.
Check the charge that applies
If your vehicle isn't compliant, you'll know you face the £12.50 London ULEZ daily charge — and whether Birmingham or Bristol's Clean Air Zone affects you too.
Plan ahead
Compliant vehicles pay nothing. If yours isn't, weigh up the daily charges against upgrading — and always confirm exemptions directly with TfL.
ULEZ checker — frequently asked questions
How do I check if my car is ULEZ compliant?
Enter your registration on Motorscan and the free check returns your vehicle's emission standard and whether it meets the ULEZ requirements — no need to know your Euro rating. As a rule of thumb, petrol cars registered from around 2006 (Euro 4) and diesel cars from September 2015 (Euro 6) are compliant. You can also confirm against Transport for London's official checker.
How much is the ULEZ charge?
The London Ultra Low Emission Zone charge is £12.50 per day for non-compliant cars, motorcycles and vans. It operates 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day, across all 33 London boroughs. If you don't pay by midnight on the third day after driving, you'll receive a Penalty Charge Notice of £180 (reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days).
Which cars are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol vehicles that meet the Euro 4 standard — broadly those first registered from January 2006 — and diesel vehicles that meet Euro 6, broadly those from September 2015, are compliant and pay nothing. Motorcycles need to meet Euro 3. Fully electric and most hybrid vehicles are compliant. Because the exact cut-off depends on when the engine was type-approved, checking by registration is the only reliable way to be sure.
What is the difference between ULEZ, LEZ and a Clean Air Zone?
ULEZ is London's Ultra Low Emission Zone for cars, vans and motorcycles. The LEZ (Low Emission Zone) is a separate, Greater-London-wide scheme targeting heavier diesel lorries, buses and coaches. Clean Air Zones (CAZ) are the equivalent schemes in other UK cities. They share the same Euro 4 petrol / Euro 6 diesel standards but set their own charges and vehicle classes.
Which UK cities charge private cars in a Clean Air Zone?
Outside London, most Clean Air Zones only charge buses, coaches, taxis, vans and lorries — not private cars. As of 2026 the zones that also charge non-compliant private cars are London (ULEZ, £12.50), Birmingham (£8) and Bristol (£9). Bath, Bradford, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Newcastle/Gateshead operate zones that do not charge private cars.
Are any vehicles exempt from ULEZ?
Vehicles with a historic (over-40-year) tax class, certain disabled and disabled-passenger tax classes, and some specialist vehicles hold exemptions or temporary grace periods. Fully compliant vehicles pay nothing at all. Exemptions must be registered with TfL — being compliant on emissions and being exempt are two different things.
Does being ULEZ compliant mean my car is exempt everywhere?
Not necessarily. Meeting the Euro 4/6 standard makes you compliant in London's ULEZ and in most Clean Air Zones, but each city sets its own rules and some target different vehicle types. Always check the specific zone you're driving into. Motorscan shows your emission standard so you can judge compliance anywhere.
Is the ULEZ checker free?
Yes. Checking your vehicle's ULEZ and Clean Air Zone compliance on Motorscan is completely free, with no sign-up. It's included alongside the free MOT, tax and specification check on every registration you look up.
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