Congestion charge returns to pre-pandemic weekday hours

The charge has now been returned to it pre-pandemic weekday hours of 7am-6pm, having extended it until 10pm as a temporary measure in June 2020 to encourage walking and cycling and discourage car travel.

The congestion zone operates every day of the year except on Christmas Day and the days leading up from December 25 until after New Year’s Day.

But the charge fee will remain at £15, rather than returning to £11.50, and will also be enforced from midday to 6pm at weekends.

However if you drive an electric car, you’re exempt from the £15 charge altogether.

The shake-up was followed by an extension of the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to include all areas within the North and South Circular roads in October.

The pollution tax has operated since April 2019, covering the same area of central London as the congestion charge.

It means more motorists now face a £12.50 daily fee and drivers of lorries and buses have to pay £100 if their vehicle is severely polluting.

Drivers of noncompliant vehicles who fail to pay the charge face a £160 penalty fine.

The daily charge is £12.50 for cars, smaller vans, motorbikes and other lighter vehicles.