Calculate your annual London congestion charge cost including exemptions
Congestion charge rates are set by TfL and may change. Charging hours are Mon-Sun 7am-6pm excluding Christmas Day. Exemptions are subject to eligibility. Check tfl.gov.uk for the latest information.
The London congestion charge is a daily fee for driving within the congestion charge zone in central London. Introduced in 2003 to reduce traffic and improve air quality, the charge has undergone several changes in both rate and coverage. As of 2026, the standard charge is GBP 15 per day, and it operates seven days a week from 7am to 6pm, including weekends -- extended hours that were introduced during the pandemic and made permanent in 2022. For regular commuters driving into central London five days a week, the congestion charge can add up to over GBP 3,600 per year -- a significant cost that many drivers underestimate when budgeting for their commute. Understanding the true annual impact helps you make informed decisions about whether to drive, use public transport, or explore alternative arrangements such as park-and-ride options. Transport for London (TfL) operates the congestion charge and offers several exemptions and discounts. Zero-emission electric vehicles are currently exempt from the charge through the Cleaner Vehicle Discount, though this exemption has been under review and may change. Drivers with a Blue Badge for disability are fully exempt. Residents living within the congestion charge zone can apply for a 90% discount, reducing the daily charge to just GBP 1.50. Auto Pay registration through TfL is required for the standard GBP 15 rate. Drivers who do not register for Auto Pay and pay on the day are charged the same GBP 15 rate following the harmonisation of payment tiers. Failing to pay on time incurs a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of GBP 160, reduced to GBP 80 if paid within 14 days. The congestion charge zone covers a relatively small area of central London, roughly bounded by Marylebone Road to the north, Tower Hill to the east, Elephant and Castle to the south, and Park Lane to the west. The zone is clearly marked with red C signs and road markings at every entry point. Cameras automatically read number plates and cross-reference them with the payment database.
To calculate your congestion charge costs: 1. Enter the number of days per week you drive into the congestion charge zone. Most commuters enter 5 for a typical working week. If you only drive in on certain days, adjust accordingly. Remember that the charge now applies seven days a week, so weekend driving counts too. 2. Set the number of weeks per year you drive in the zone. The default is 48 weeks, accounting for four weeks of holidays. Adjust this based on your own holiday entitlement and any periods when you use alternative transport. 3. Select your vehicle type or exemption status. Standard vehicles pay the full GBP 15 daily rate. Electric and zero-emission vehicles are currently exempt. Blue Badge holders are exempt. Residents within the zone receive a 90% discount, paying GBP 1.50 per day. 4. Indicate whether you are registered for Auto Pay. While the rate is now the same regardless of payment method, Auto Pay ensures you never miss a payment and avoid penalty charge notices. TfL strongly recommends registration for regular zone users. 5. Review your results showing daily, weekly, monthly, and annual charges. The annual figure is the key number for budgeting. Compare this against the cost of alternative commuting options such as an annual Travelcard or Oyster pay-as-you-go to determine the most cost-effective way to travel.
The congestion charge calculation is straightforward: Daily charge is determined by vehicle type: standard vehicle = GBP 15, electric or zero-emission = GBP 0 (exempt), disabled (Blue Badge) = GBP 0 (exempt), resident = GBP 1.50 (90% discount on standard rate). Weekly charge = daily charge x days per week. Monthly charge = weekly charge x 52 / 12 (annualised monthly average). Annual charge = daily charge x days per week x weeks per year. Charging hours are Monday to Sunday, 7am to 6pm, excluding Christmas Day. The charge applies for any part of the day you drive within the zone during these hours. For example, a standard vehicle driven 5 days per week for 48 weeks: daily charge = GBP 15, weekly charge = GBP 75, monthly charge = GBP 75 x 52 / 12 = GBP 325, annual charge = GBP 15 x 5 x 48 = GBP 3,600. A resident driving 3 days per week for 48 weeks: daily charge = GBP 1.50, annual charge = GBP 1.50 x 3 x 48 = GBP 216. Note that the congestion charge is separate from the ULEZ charge. Non-compliant vehicles driving in the ULEZ zone (which covers all of Greater London) pay an additional GBP 12.50 per day on top of any congestion charge.