Now that the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has officially expanded across all of Greater London, many drivers will be paying the daily charge. 

Transport for London (TfL) and London Mayor Sadiq Khan's expansion means drivers of non-compliant vehicles have to pay £12.50 a day to enter the ULEZ.

Whilst now in place, the expansion has seen mass debate with reports showing that 171 ULEZ cameras had been vandalised.

The ULEZ charge was the main reason many drivers were unhappy about the expansion, but to help Londoners, Mayor Khan and TfL created supported schemes. 

With the support for the ULEZ scrappage scheme, seeing drivers get grants or the chance to retrofit vehicles. 

However, the scrappage scheme is only for Londoners, seeing many that commute from Hertfordshire unhappy with the schemes. 

But TfL is offering grace periods to those eligible for the ULEZ.

What is the ULEZ grace period?

TfL created that grace period so that some drivers and vehicles can get discounts for the ULEZ charge. 

As TfL states: "Some drivers and vehicles qualify for at least a temporary 100% discount from the Ultra Low Emission Zone charge (ULEZ). Others are entirely exempt."

Who is eligible for the ULEZ grace period?

Disabled vehicle owners

Anyone with a blue badge will be offered a grace period if their vehicle does not meet emissions standards. 

If you are disabled and have a vehicle registered with the DVLA as having a 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class, you will be part of a grace period. 

This grace period will mean you do not have to pay the ULEZ charge until October 24, 2027. 

Wheelchair-accessible vehicles

Drives of wheelchair-accessible vehicles that do not meet ULEZ standards are eligible for a grace period, but you need to meet the following criteria as stated by TfL:

  • A permanently fitted foldable ramp or a powered lift allows the wheelchair user to enter the vehicle
  • An electric or hydraulic hoist to lift a person or wheelchair into the vehicle
  • A swivel seat on either the passenger or driver side of the vehicle
  • An accelerator ring permanently fitted to the steering wheel of the vehicle

Disabled Benefits

Anyone receiving certain disability benefits will be entitled to a grace period, to claim the grace period you need to be receiving one of the following benefits or criteria. 

  • Standard or enhanced mobility rate of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • Higher mobility rate of Disability Living Allowance
  • Higher Mobility Rate of Child Disability Payment
  • War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Standard or enhanced rate of Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
  • Be a parent or guardian of a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
  • Be a parent or guardian of a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment
  • Have a terminal illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult
  • Be registered blind (severely sight impaired)

NHS patient 

If you have been clinically assessed as too ill to travel for an appointment on public transport, you can claim back any ULEZ charges from your hospital. 

Business and charity

TfL has offered a short-term grace period for business and charity, with small businesses (under 50 employees), micro-businesses (up to 10 employees) as well as charities and sole traders with a registered address in one of the 32 London boroughs or the City of London able to apply. 

You need to meet the following requirements to claim the grace period:

  • Ordered a newly manufactured light van or minibus that meets the ULEZ emissions standards or
  • Booked their light van or minibus, that does not meet the ULEZ emissions standards, to be retrofitted by a Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS) approved fitter to meet the ULEZ emissions standards

Minibuses for community transport

Not-for-profit organisations that operate minibuses can apply for a temporary 100% discount until October 26, 2025.

When does the ULEZ grace period end?

If you meet the grace period, you will have a few years where you do not need to pay the ULEZ charge. 

As TfL states: "Eligible applicants for these grace periods will not need to pay the ULEZ charge until 25 October 2027."