ULEZ & Clean Air Zones What Cars

What cars are ULEZ compliant?

Q: What cars are ULEZ compliant?

Petrol cars meeting Euro 4 (generally registered from 2006) and diesel cars meeting Euro 6 (generally registered from 2015) are ULEZ compliant. Electric and hydrogen vehicles always comply. Use the TfL vehicle checker with your number plate to confirm your specific car.

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Most petrol cars registered from 2006 onwards and diesel cars registered from 2015 onwards are ULEZ compliant. Compliance is based on Euro emissions standards, not the age of your car alone — so always check your specific vehicle using the TfL vehicle checker.

The Emission Standards That Determine Compliance

Petrol cars need Euro 4: Petrol cars must meet the Euro 4 standard, which generally applies to vehicles first registered from January 2006 onwards. 2

Diesel cars need Euro 6: Diesel cars must meet the stricter Euro 6 standard, which typically applies to vehicles first registered from September 2015 onwards. 2

Motorcycles and mopeds: Motorcycles and mopeds must meet Euro 3, generally meaning vehicles registered from July 2007 onwards. 2

Registration year is a guide, not a guarantee: Some vehicles registered near the cut-off dates may or may not comply depending on the engine fitted. Always verify with the official TfL vehicle checker tool. 3

What Euro Standards Actually Mean

Euro standards measure harmful emissions: Euro ratings define the maximum permitted levels of pollutants including nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and hydrocarbons from a vehicle's exhaust. 4

Diesel is held to a tighter standard: Euro 6 is required for diesels (not Euro 4) because diesel engines produce significantly higher levels of NOx and particulates, which are more harmful in urban air quality. 4

Electric and hydrogen vehicles always comply: Fully electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions and are automatically ULEZ compliant. 2

ULEZ vs Other UK Clean Air Zones

ULEZ is London-specific: The Ultra Low Emission Zone is operated by Transport for London and covers all of Greater London. Non-compliant cars face a £12.50 daily charge. 2

Other cities have their own CAZ rules: Birmingham, Bath, and Bristol operate Class D Clean Air Zones with similar emission thresholds, but charges and exemptions vary by city. 5

Check before you drive: The GOV.UK clean air zone checker lets you confirm compliance for any UK CAZ, not just London's ULEZ. 5

How to Check Your Specific Vehicle

Use the official TfL vehicle checker: Enter your number plate at TfL's vehicle checker to get an instant result on whether your car is ULEZ compliant — no guesswork needed. 3

Fuel costs change if you switch vehicles: If you're considering switching to a compliant vehicle, fuel type and efficiency will affect your running costs. CheckFuelPrices shows live petrol, diesel, and alternative fuel prices at stations near you to help you budget. 1