London taxi driver ULEZ exemption will drop if vehicles fail licensing renewal test

Taxi drivers in London remain exempt from paying the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge in the capital, but are warned the exemption drops if the vehicle fails its licensing renewal test.

On 25 October the ULEZ boundary expanded from central London to create a single larger zone up to the North and South Circular Roads.

The daily charge is in addition to the Congestion Charge if you drive in central London. Private hire vehicles (PHVs) that do not meet the emissions standards and are not wheelchair-accessible must pay the full ULEZ charge to drive within the zone.

Designated wheelchair-accessible PHVs will be granted a grace period until 26 October 2025 - during this period designated wheelchair-accessible PHVs used to carry out a private hire booking will be exempt from the ULEZ daily charge.

All of London’s licensed taxis are exempt from the ULEZ, but taxi representatives have warned drivers that they will have to pay the charge if their vehicle FAILS its licensing test that day.

Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), said: “We have taken a lot of calls this morning on the expansion of the ULEZ. The clean air zone now extends to to the North and South Circular roads but our exemption still applies as long as the cab is licensed.

“If you are taking an unlicensed cab to NSL to be tested please be aware that if it fails and is not licensed that day, and you have driven through the ULEZ you will need to go online and pay the fee. If the cab passes it remains exempt.”