In June 2020, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan had extended weekday C-charge hours to 10pm, and increased the charge from £11.50 to £15, to encourage walking and cycling.
But in order to reboot the economy following the Covid pandemic, the pre-pandemic weekday hours have been reinstated, although the price will remain at £15.
Residents’ discounts, which see those living within the zone pay just 10 per cent of the Charge, are also being reinstated.
Sadiq Khan said that these changes “strike a balance between reducing traffic and congestion and supporting London’s economy and residents.”
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What is the London Congestion Charge?
Motorists are required to pay a daily fee in order to travel into certain areas of London during peak hours.
The charge was introduced in 2003 as a way to reduce congestion in those areas, and was initially worth £11.50, but the price has since been increased to £15.
Where does the Congestion Charge zone apply?
The C-charge zone covers large areas of London, encompassing Mayfair, Marylebone, Green Park and Westminster at its most westerly edge, and out to the Barbican and City of London if heading east.
At its northernmost point it covers Euston and St Pancras, and in south London it includes Lambeth, Waterloo, Newington, Southwark and Borough.
Motorists can visit the TFL website to find out if a specific address is within the charge zone.
Congestion Charge zone
/ TfLWhat time is the London Congestion Charge in operation?
The Congestion Charge is active on weekdays between the hours of 7am and 6pm, and on weekends and bank holidays from 12pm-6pm.
However, there is no charge between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day bank holiday.
Which vehicles have to pay?
All combustion-engined cars – including hybrids – are subject to the Congestion Charge.
Pre-2018, all alternatively-fuelled vehicles were exempt from the Congestion Charge, but since October 2021, only zero-emission vehicles have been exempt from the Congestion Charge.
However, from December 2025, even drivers of zero-emission cars will be required to pay.
Other exemptions do apply – vehicles recorded at the DVLA in some categories, such as two-wheeled motorbikes (and sidecars) and mopeds, do not pay a charge. A full list of exempt vehicles can be found on the TfL website.
Reimbursements are available for local authority workers, as well as charity workers providing “certain pandemic support services in the zone”. NHS patients who are vulnerable to coronavirus can also claim reimbursements.
How do I pay?
The charge must be paid in advance or by midnight the same day – the charge increases to £17.50 if paid by midnight on the third day, and a failure to pay the charge results in a £160 fine (halved to £80 if paid within 14 days).
Payments can be made through the TfL Pay to drive in London app or online via the TfL website. Both methods offer an Auto Pay feature, which allows customers set up automatic charge payments.
Payments can also be made by phone on weekdays between 8am and 8pm.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/london-congestion-charge-2022-zone-times-map-where-does-it-apply-cost-pay-b984191.html
