Vans, minibuses and more

Find the emissions standards that vans (small and large), minibuses and some other specialist vehicles need to meet when travelling within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

Vehicles included are:

  • Small vans (weighing up to and including 1.205 tonnes unladen weight)
  • Larger vans and other specialist vehicles including 4X4 light utility vehicles, motorised horseboxes, breakdown and recovery vehicles and dual-purpose vehicles (over 1.205 tonnes unladen weight up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight)
  • Ambulances, motorcaravans and motorised hearses (2.5 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight)
  • Minibuses (more than 8 passenger seats, not over 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight)

Minimum emissions standards

  • Petrol: Euro 4 (NOx)
  • Diesel: Euro 6 (NOx and PM)

The ULEZ is enforced based on the declared emissions of the vehicle rather than the age, however:

  • All new diesel vans sold from September 2016 should meet the Euro 6 standard
  • All new petrol vans registered with the DVLA from January 2006 should meet the Euro 4 standard

Check your vehicle registration document to see your vehicle's Euro emission standard or NOx and PM emissions. If these are not listed then use our ULEZ vehicle checker.

Charges (if ULEZ standards not met)

We prefer that you use vehicles that meet the emissions standards rather than pay a daily charge.

A daily charge runs from midnight to midnight. if you drive a vehicle that does not meet the standards within the ULEZ area across 2 days, for example before midnight and after midnight, you will be liable to pay 2 daily charges.

  • Daily ULEZ charge: £12.50
  • Penalty charge: £180 (reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days)

These are in addition to any Congestion Charge or Low Emission Zone (LEZ) charge that applies. (Small vans up to and including 1.205 tonnes unladen weight are not subject to the LEZ.)

How to pay

Your options

If your vehicle does not meet the required ULEZ standards you can:

Join a car club

Go electric

  • Electric vans emit no NOx or CO2 from the tailpipe. Find more information about electric vehicles, including a list of those eligible for a grant, on GOV.UK's page on plug-in grants

Pay the daily charge

  • You'll be able to pay any ULEZ, LEZ and/or Congestion Charges that apply online, all at the same time

Upgrade to a vehicle that meets ULEZ standards

  • All van manufacturers now only sell new vehicles that meet the emissions standards - some Euro 6 vans have also been available since 2013. Many more second-hand Euro 6 vans are coming on to the market as rental companies renew their fleets
  • If you're thinking of buying a new or second-hand vehicle, first look up its emissions in real-world driving conditions with the AIR Index
  • Leasing a vehicle may be a more affordable way to get a vehicle that meets the emissions standards. Information on leasing is on the BVRLA website

We're also working with the top UK van manufacturers and leasing companies to encourage them to offer affordable deals on vehicles that meet the emissions standards.

If the van is a hire purchase, you can visit the Citizens Advice website for additional guidance. If you have arranged finance to purchase a vehicle, you may be able to request a settlement figure from your provider to help you with the sale of your vehicle. Find more information on paying off a credit agreement early on the Citizens Advice website.

See if you qualify for a discount or exemption

Fit emissions reduction technology

The ULEZ scheme allows for some vehicles to retrofit emissions reduction technology to meet the ULEZ standards.

Retrofit technologies will need to be certified by the government's Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS). The CVRAS currently has emissions reduction technologies certified for vans, minibuses, motorhomes, buses, coaches, HGVs and refuse vehicles. Equipment suppliers can advise on testing and certification of equipment.

More details on the retrofit accreditation process and suppliers are available on the Energy Savings Trust website.

Convert to Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG)

If your vehicle has been converted to run on LPG, it may meet the emissions standards. However, the emissions standard of the engine will be considered to be the same as it was before it was converted.

If you have replaced the engine with a spark ignition (petrol) engine as part of an LPG conversion, the emissions standard of the new engine will apply. You must tell the DVLA about this type of engine swap and send us proof that the new engine meets the standards.

We recommend using a UK LPG-approved installer.

Retrofit: convert to Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG)

Converted vehicles will be treated based on the DVLA's records of its emissions standards. This means diesel vehicles should be converted to use LPG in a spark ignition engine, and the DVLA notified of the change.

Questions about ULEZ?

If you need more advice about the ULEZ, you can make an enquiry.

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