London Congestion Charge Cost Calculator
Work out your annual Congestion Charge cost, compare payment methods, and check which discounts you might qualify for.
How does the Congestion Charge calculator work?
The calculator multiplies your charging days per year (days per week × weeks per year) by the daily rate for your chosen payment method, then applies any discount or exemption for your category. Residents, Blue Badge holders, and motorcycles are handled separately since they pay a reduced rate or nothing at all, rather than the standard daily charge.
3 worked examples
Example 1 — Daily commuter, standard rate, pay as you go
Someone driving into the zone 5 days a week, 46 weeks a year, paying the standard rate online each time.
5 × 46 = 230 days/year
Cost:230 × £15 = £3,450/year
Example 2 — Same commuter, switched to Auto Pay
Identical driving pattern, but registered for Auto Pay at the discounted rate.
230 × £12.50 = £2,875/year
Saving vs pay-as-you-go:£575/year — Auto Pay is almost always worth it for anyone driving into the zone regularly
Example 3 — Zone resident, occasional driver
A resident within the zone, registered for the resident's discount, driving in 3 days a week for 40 weeks a year.
3 × 40 = 120 days/year
Resident rate (90% discount off £15):£1.50/day
Cost:120 × £1.50 = £180/year — a fraction of the standard cost
The gap between Examples 1 and 2 shows why Auto Pay is worth registering for if you drive into the zone even semi-regularly — the saving compounds quickly over a full year.
The Congestion Charge zone and operating hours
The Congestion Charge applies within a defined central London zone, considerably smaller than the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which covers all London boroughs. The charge operates:
- Monday to Friday: 7:00am – 6:00pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
- Every day of the year except 25 December (Christmas Day)
You only pay once per day regardless of how many times you enter or leave the zone within the charging hours. Check the exact zone boundary on the official TfL map before assuming a specific route or postcode is included.
Discounts and exemptions
| Category | Discount | Registration required? |
|---|---|---|
| Zone residents | 90% off (pay 10%) | Yes — annual registration with proof of address |
| Blue Badge holders | 100% exempt | Yes — registration required even though exempt |
| Motorcycles, mopeds | 100% exempt | No — automatically exempt by vehicle type |
| Licensed London taxis | 100% exempt | No |
| NHS patient/staff reimbursement schemes | Varies | Yes — via specific NHS scheme |
Registration for any discount is not automatic — you must apply directly with TfL and provide the required evidence before the discount applies. Driving in without registering first means paying the standard rate regardless of your actual eligibility.
The EV exemption has ended
Electric vehicles previously qualified for a full exemption via the Cleaner Vehicle Discount. That exemption ended on 25 December 2025 — electric vehicles now pay the standard Congestion Charge rate like petrol and diesel cars. If you're comparing EV running costs and still assuming free Congestion Charge travel, that assumption is now out of date.
This is a significant, relatively recent change. If you're relying on older articles, forum posts, or a previous personal understanding that EVs are exempt from the Congestion Charge, that information is no longer accurate.
What happens if you don't pay?
You must pay the Congestion Charge by midnight on the day after you drove in the zone (charging day plus one). Missing this deadline results in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN):
- PCN issued: a fixed penalty, reduced if paid promptly and increased if it isn't
- Enforcement: based on ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras across the zone boundary and within it
Exact PCN amounts change periodically and are set by TfL, not this site. Always check the current penalty structure directly on the TfL Congestion Charge page rather than relying on a figure that may be out of date.
What this calculator can't tell you
Exact zone boundaries
This calculator assumes you already know your route enters the zone. It doesn't check specific roads or postcodes — use the official TfL interactive zone map to confirm before you drive.
Interaction with ULEZ
The Congestion Charge and the Ultra Low Emission Zone are separate charges with separate rules, and driving into central London can mean paying both if your vehicle isn't ULEZ-compliant. This calculator covers the Congestion Charge only.
Current exact rates
Daily rates and the Auto Pay discount are set by TfL and reviewed periodically. The figures used here reflect the rate structure as of publication — always confirm the current rate before budgeting a large annual commitment around this figure.
Common mistakes
Assuming EVs are still exempt
As covered above, the EV exemption ended in December 2025. This is the single most common outdated assumption people carry into this calculation.
Forgetting you pay once per day, not per entry
Entering and leaving the zone multiple times within the same charging day still only costs one daily charge, not one per crossing.
Not registering for a discount before driving in
Eligibility alone doesn't apply a discount automatically — residents and Blue Badge holders must register with TfL first, or they'll be charged the standard rate regardless of actual entitlement.
Missing the next-day payment deadline
Payment is due by midnight the day after travel, not the same day. Missing this by even a few hours triggers a PCN.
Ways to reduce your Congestion Charge cost
- Register for Auto Pay if you drive into the zone regularly — the per-day saving adds up significantly over a year, as shown in Example 2
- Check if you qualify for the resident's discount and register promptly if you live within the zone
- Consider public transport or the zone's edge for parking if your visits are infrequent enough that the charge outweighs the convenience
- Plan multi-stop trips within a single charging window where possible, since the charge is per day, not per journey
How we calculate
Total charging days = days per week × weeks per year.
Standard/EV, pay as you go: total days × £15. Standard/EV, Auto Pay: total days × £12.50.
Resident (registered): total days × (rate × 10%). Blue Badge / motorcycle: £0 regardless of days entered.
⚡ Comparing an EV against petrol?
Now that EVs pay the Congestion Charge too, see the full running cost picture including fuel, tax and servicing.
Use the EV vs Petrol Calculator →Frequently asked questions
How much is the London Congestion Charge?
The standard daily rate is £15 if paid on the day via the website, app, or phone. Registered Auto Pay users pay a discounted rate of approximately £12.50 per day. Rates are set by TfL and reviewed periodically.
Do electric cars pay the Congestion Charge?
Yes, as of 25 December 2025. Electric vehicles previously qualified for a full exemption via the Cleaner Vehicle Discount, but this ended and EVs now pay the standard rate like petrol and diesel cars.
What are the Congestion Charge operating hours?
Monday to Friday 7:00am–6:00pm, and Saturday and Sunday 12:00pm–6:00pm. The charge applies every day of the year except Christmas Day (25 December).
Do I pay the Congestion Charge every time I enter the zone?
No. You pay once per day regardless of how many times you enter or leave the zone during the charging hours on that day.
What happens if I forget to pay the Congestion Charge?
You have until midnight the day after travel to pay. Missing this deadline results in a Penalty Charge Notice. Exact PCN amounts are set by TfL and should be checked directly on the official TfL website, as they change periodically.
References & data sources
- Transport for London (TfL) — Congestion Charge. The official source for current daily rates, operating hours, zone boundaries, discounts, and penalty charges — the authoritative reference for everything on this page.
- TfL — Congestion Charge discounts and exemptions. Official eligibility criteria and registration process for residents, Blue Badge holders, and other categories.
Unlike most calculators on this site, the Congestion Charge is set by Transport for London, not the DVLA, HMRC, or central government — rates and policy can change independently and with less advance notice than national tax rates. Always verify current figures directly with TfL before making a financial decision based on this calculator.