Transport for London (TfL) is continuing to clamp down on drivers who persistently evade Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued for Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) contraventions. 

While only a small minority are liable to pay the charge – with the latest data showing that more than 97 per cent of vehicles seen driving in the ULEZ comply with the emissions standards* – TfL is aware of a specific group of drivers who persistently refuse to pay multiple outstanding penalties.

Recent data shows that 94 per cent of the outstanding debt owed from all open UK-issued ULEZ PCNs – which could otherwise be reinvested to improve the transport network for everyone - is from persistent evaders (those with at least four PCNs outstanding). 

In order to recoup the debt from unpaid PCNs across its road user charging schemes, TfL has been deploying an intelligence-led approach alongside enforcement action, which can include tracking evaders down to different addresses and employing more effective data-sharing with other national bodies, such as the Department for Transport and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

This has led to around £16.5m of debt related to road user charges and penalties being recovered through enforcement action and returned to TfL between January and June 2025, so it can be reinvested into the transport network. 

When there is no response over an extended period from a driver who has incurred a ULEZ charge, the enforcement process is triggered, which includes issuing warrants backed by the courts.

Action to recover the debt involves enforcement agents visiting a home address to recover money owed. They can also seize particular belongings and use the proceeds of a sale to satisfy any outstanding debt, for example, clamping a vehicle and selling it at auction.

Between January and June this year more than 530 vehicles have been seized from drivers who have failed to pay road user charges and penalties. More than 350 have been sold at auction, with more than £285,000 being raised through sales as a result. 

Between January and June this year more than 530 vehicles have been seized from drivers who have failed to pay road user charges and penalties (Credit: TfL)

Recent cases of TfL successfully tackling persistent evaders of ULEZ charges include: 

• A driver being traced to a new address and visited by enforcement agents after previous communications with the customer failed to lead to any payment. The driver then agreed to settle, paying more than £6,800 to clear their balance in full, having received 18 warrants 
• One persistent evader paying almost £17,000 in June to clear 46 warrants against their vehicle after being contacted by enforcement agents multiple times 
• One vehicle being seized that was linked to 88 warrants. More than 130 letters had been issued to the driver and they were visited 14 times. The car raised £7,000 at auction 
• One driver refused to pay, leading to his vehicle being located and seized. It raised more than £2,100 at auction 

TfL is currently taking forward some cases that will make greater use of civil action, as it continues to ramp up its efforts to deliver stronger enforcement.

In the most extreme cases, this includes action that could lead to bankruptcy proceedings for an individual or business if they refuse to settle their debt and action that would ensure debt is repaid before a property is sold.  

Other alternative enforcement action TfL could take includes recovering earnings from an individual's employer and making greater use of civil action to bolster the effectiveness of enforcement agents, including debt recovery actions in a County Court.

TfL is also trialling changes to the style and format of its PCNs and Charge Certificates. This is aimed at encouraging drivers to settle rather than ignore the charges and engage at an earlier stage of the process.

This includes making it even clearer to the driver what the enforcement process is, what stage they are at in it and what the consequences are – including how the charge will increase - if they fail to take action. 

TfL is discussing with the Government how to improve collection of road user charges and other debts owed to TfL and other public bodies. 

It is also known that there can be a link between the behaviour of deliberate evasion and other areas of criminality.

Discussions include considering how to build on existing debt recovery mechanisms, such as expanding how and when vehicles can be seized, and working together on tackling challenges, such as registration plate tampering.

This will help limit the ability of drivers to evade paying and ensure that those who deliberately flout the rules and show no regard for those that live, work and learn in the capital are made accountable for their actions.  

 Alex Williams, TfL's Chief Customer & Strategy Officer, said: "We know that we need bold solutions to tackle the public health crisis and poor air quality in London and ULEZ does just that. 

"With 97 per cent of vehicles seen driving in London now ULEZ compliant, only a very small minority of vehicles now don't meet the standards.

"Most drivers who have vehicles that are liable for the charge are responsible and pay it. It is only a small group of persistent evaders who fail to do so. 

"We want to make it clear that if you receive a penalty charge for driving in the zone, you should not ignore it. Your penalty will progress to enforcement agents to recover what you owe, and there is a risk that your vehicle and other items of property will be removed.

"If you're ignoring it because you are facing financial difficulties, please instead engage with our staff, who can consider your individual circumstances and work with you." 

On 29 August 2023, the Ultra Low Emission Zone expanded London-wide to help tackle the triple challenges of air pollution, the climate emergency and traffic congestion.

The London-wide Ultra Low Emission Zone One Year Report demonstrates that the Mayor of London's air quality policies – including the ULEZ scheme – have contributed to an accelerated overall improvement in air quality**.

In 2024, harmful roadside NO2 concentrations are estimated to be 27 per cent lower across London (54 per cent lower in central, 29 per cent lower in inner and 24 per cent lower in outer London) compared to a scenario without the ULEZ and toxic PM2.5 exhaust emissions from vehicles 36 per cent lower.