How to Challenge an Ultra Low Emission Zone Penalty Charge

Have you received an Ultra Low Emission Zone penalty charge? This can be a tough spot to be in. You might be thinking, “How did this happen?” or “What can I do about it?”

You’re not alone! Every month, more than 32,000 people visit our website to understand their tickets and fines.

In this piece, you’ll find:

•  The meaning of an Ultra Low Emission Zone fine and why you might get one
•  Steps to challenge your penalty charge
•  The reasons that might make your penalty charge not correct
•  The cost of a ULEZ penalty charge
•  The things that happen if you do not pay your ULEZ penalty charge

We know how you’re feeling; some of us have been there too. That’s why we’re here to help you understand how to deal with your Ultra Low Emission Zone penalty charge.

How to avoid paying a ULEZ

If you want to avoid paying a ULEZ PCN then you’ll need an airtight appeal.

The best way to perfect your appeal is getting a little advice from a Solicitor. I’d 100% recommend spending a fiver to get a trial of JustAnswer.

You can explain your situation in their chat and they’ll connect you with a Solicitor who can advise you and give you the best chance to win your appeal.

Click here to get the trial offer with JustAnswer.

Why would you be given a ULEZ Penalty Charge?

You’d be given a ULEZ Penalty Charge Notice for the following offences:

• The vehicle you drive doesn’t meet the ULEZ emission standards
• You’re not exempt or you’re not registered for a 100% discount
• You failed to pay the right charge by the deadline which is midnight on the third charging day after you entered the ‘zone’
• Your vehicle licence plate is incorrect or the travel date is wrong
• You paid by letter less than ten days before you travelled in the zone

Check out how many appeals against Ultra Low Emission Zone fines are successful:

Moneysavingexpert

How much is a ULEZ Penalty Charge?

I’ve listed how much a ULEZ Penalty Charge Notice will set you back in the table below:

Type of Vehicles	Full PCN fine	When you pay within 14 days
Over 1.205 tonnes unladen up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight:  Breakdown and recovery vehicles, Dual purpose vehicles, Other specialist diesel vehicles, hearses, motor caravans, Vans, 4×4 light utility vehicles, Motorised horseboxes,	£500	£250
Vehicles meeting Euro IV standard (PM) but not meeting Euro VI standard (NOx and PM) Lorries, goods vehicles, motor caravans, motorised horseboxes, road sweepers, concrete mixers, tippers, fire engines, breakdown and recovery vehicles, snow ploughs, gritters, refuse collection vehicles, removals lorries, other specialist heavy vehicles, buses and coaches with more than 8 seats	£1000	£500
Vehicles not meeting Euro IV standard (PM)More than 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight lorries, goods vehicles, motor caravans, tippers, fire engines, removals lorries, other specialists heavy vehicles motorised horseboxes, breakdown and recovery vehicles, snow ploughs, gritters, refuse collection vehicles, road sweepers, concrete mixers. More than 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight: Buses/minibuses (with more than 8 passenger seats) Coaches (with more than 8 passenger seats)	£2000	£1000

How do you file a low emission zone penalty charge challenge?

You can challenge a ULEZ Penalty Charge with Transport for London via their website. It’s an online appeal service.

There is an option to appeal in writing by letter and send it to Congestion Charging, PO Box 340, Darlington, DL1 9PZ.

The sooner you file an appeal, the faster the issuer freezes any further action. In short, you won’t have to worry about the issuer escalating things until a decision is made.

You’d need to provide the following information with your appeal:

• The Penalty Charge Notice reference number
• Evidence to support your appeal

You can find the Penalty Charge Number online via the Transport for London website if you’ve lost it.

If the issuer rejects your appeal, you need to pay the fine within the deadline. But you’d still get to pay the discounted amount which is 50% less than the original fine!

What grounds are valid to appeal a ULEZ Penalty Charge?

The most common grounds for successfully appealing a ULEZ Penalty Charge have been revealed thanks to the Freedom of Information Act (FOI).

The successful appeals include:

• Hire companies passing the penalty charges on to drivers
• The vehicle was compliant therefore the Penalty Charge shouldn’t have been issued
• The vehicle had been sold before the charge was issued
• The driver made an automated ULEZ payment but made a mistake
• A driver has a blue badge and the fine issued was their first

Saying that you weren’t aware of how the process works is not grounds to appeal a ULEZ fine. In short, Transport for London will reject any appeals filed for this reason.

That said, when you feel a fine was unfairly issued, you have the right to challenge a ULEZ charge. If you can prove it, your appeal could be successful and the fine should be cancelled.

What happens if you ignore a ULEZ Penalty Charge?

The problem won’t go away if you ignore a ULEZ Penalty Charge Notice. In fact, things just escalate and it gets more expensive.

For instance, the fine amount increases by 50% so what was £500 is a whopping £750!

It’s the registered keeper who gets the charge certificate sent to them by post. They then have 14 days from the date it was issued to pay the full amount!

When you fail to meet the 14-day deadline, the issuer could register the unpaid fine with the Traffic Enforcement Centre. This incurs another fee known as a ‘debt registration fee’.

After this, the registered keeper is sent an Order for Recovery. Enforcement agents could show up at your home to collect what’s owed. There are rules when bailiffs can visit you and when they can’t.

Where can you find free debt advice?

If you’re struggling to pay your bills and finding you’re getting deeper into debt, there is free debt advice available.

I’ve listed some of the leading UK charities that provide free debt advice below:

• StepChange
• Citizens Advice
• National Debtline

Their advice could help you find a solution on how to get out of debt and your life back on track!