Low emission rules

Keep an eye out on what is happening in Birmingham and Bristol or you could find yourself out of pocket.

In April 2019, London got a new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which replaced the previous T-charge scheme. It currently applies to Central London and will be extended to all of inner London in 2021.

But in 2020, the policy could be adopted around other parts of the country. Birmingham will be introducing its own scheme in July and a Leeds scheme was expected to start in January but has been delayed.

Other cities interested include Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Newcastle, Derby and Edinburgh.

If a vehicle doesn’t meet ULEZ emission standards, the driver will have to pay a charge to drive in the defined area. The ban affects older diesel cars more heavily.