Tool
ULEZ & toll reality
Driving through the UK can trigger charges you didn't know existed — Dartford, Mersey Tunnel, Humber, Tyne Bridges, Bath, and several Clean Air Zones. Pick your route and we'll stack the charges against your vehicle.
Reference charges last verified against operator websites (TfL, M6 Toll, Mersey Tunnels, Humber Bridge, Clean Air Zone operators) for 2025. Always re-check before driving — some charges change on 1 January each year.
What this solves
The UK's toll and charge landscape changed completely in the 2020s. London expanded ULEZ city-wide in August 2023, several Clean Air Zones launched (Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Sheffield, Tyneside, Portsmouth), and Dartford Crossing moved fully to auto-pay. Most visitors only learn about these charges when a PCN arrives. Check up front.
How to read the result
- Per charge shows whether the charge applies to your vehicle, on which days, and at what price.
- Total sums every applicable toll × days. Use it as a real money figure, not a symbolic surcharge.
- Compliant? is the critical flag — a compliant hire car avoids most of the table.
- Routes with no charge are genuinely free; we list them so you know what's been checked.
What it doesn't cover
- London Congestion Charge inner zone — only the ULEZ operation across all 32 boroughs plus the City.
- Emission-class appeals and discounts (NHS, Blue Badge, military).
- Tyneside, Portsmouth and Sheffield Clean Air Zone detail — they exist but with different price bands.
- New zones under consultation (Manchester, Edinburgh LEZ).
FAQ
Does London ULEZ charge on a Sunday?
Yes. ULEZ runs every day of the year, midnight to midnight, including bank holidays and Sundays. The original central London ULEZ launched in April 2019; the Greater London expansion to all 32 boroughs took effect on 29 August 2023.
Do motorbikes get charged in ULEZ?
Generally no — most motorbikes are Euro 3 compliant or newer, which ULEZ accepts. Pre-2007 small bikes can be non-compliant, but the policy treats them generously. Check the TfL vehicle checker for any specific bike.
Where exactly are the Clean Air Zones?
Active class C zones in 2025: Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Sheffield, Tyneside (Newcastle), Portsmouth. Each has its own emission threshold and charges only non-compliant vehicles. Check the individual CAZ website for the precise boundary.
How do I register for Dartford Crossing auto-pay?
Register with Dart Charge (the Highways Motorway England service for online pay). Pre-registered accounts cost £1.50 per southbound crossing; unregistered users pay £2.50 via pay-as-you-go. If you cross without paying, an automatic £70 penalty applies. The crossing is free northbound.
Sources
- TfL — ULEZ daily rate and Greater London boundary.
- Clean Air Zone operators (Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Sheffield, Tyneside, Portsmouth).
- M6 Toll, Mersey Tunnels, Humber Bridge, Dart Charge — published 2025 car tariffs.