London has officially expanded the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) to fight air pollution, meaning drivers with non-compliant vehicles will be charged £12.50 every time they drive around the capital.
To make the transition smoother and give Londoners time to change their vehicles or adopt alternative travel methods, a grace period has been set across all boroughs.
This period started on Monday, August 29, but many are unaware of when it comes to an end.
Here is a look at the Ulez grace period, including its end date.
TODAY: in a move that will see five million more Londoners breathe cleaner air, the ULEZ has expanded to cover all of London.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) August 29, 2023
This was a difficult decision - but it's the right one to save lives.#ULEZExpansion #CleanAir pic.twitter.com/HXZb0MbexA
When does the Ulez grace period end?
The grace period, which started in late August, concerns certain drivers who meet eligibility criteria sometime before they have to start paying the Ulez charge for non-compliant vehicles.
This grace period is quite a generous one, as it will conclude on October 25, 2027.
A separate and considerably shorter grace period has been set for eligible small businesses and charities, which will run until May 29, 2024.
Plus, eligible minibuses that are used for community transportation will be able to benefit from a 100 per cent discount on Ulezcharges until October 26, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Ulez grace period?
Only those who are eligible will be able to benefit from the Ulez grace period.
Eligibility criteria applies to a wide range of people. Below is a summary of everyone who is eligible.
- Disabled people who have a vehicle that is DVLA-registered as having “disabled” or “disabled passenger vehicle” tax class
- Disabled people over the state pension age whose vehicle doesn’t have the “disabled” or “disability passenger” tax class, but receive Attendance Allowance and hold a blue badge
- Individuals who are receiving one of the following benefits: Standard or enhanced mobility rate of Personal Independence Payment, 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
- Those who are the parent or guardian of a child aged under three, who has a medical condition that requires the child to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
- Those who are a parent or guardian of a child aged under three, who has a medical condition that requires the child to always be near a vehicle in case they need emergency treatment
- Individuals who have a terminal illness that make it difficult or impossible for them to walk
- People who are registered as blind or severely sight-impaired
- Those with wheelchair-accessible vehicles
As for charities and businesses who can make use of the grace period, the eligibility criteria requires them to book to have their vehicles retrofitted under the Ulez scrappage scheme or prove that they have ordered a new vehicle before November 29, 2023.
