ULEZ PCN: pay or appeal your TfL PCN
A ULEZ PCN from Transport for London can feel alarming, but you have 28 days to act, and paying early cuts the cost in half.
ULEZ PCN amounts (current rates)How much is a ULEZ PCN?
A ULEZ PCN is issued by camera to the registered keeper, it is a road user charging penalty for the unpaid £12.50 daily charge, not a parking ticket. Paying within 14 days from the date of service cuts the charge in half. Once you pay, you accept the charge and close the case.
| Stage | Amount | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| PCN paid within 14 days (50% discount) | £90 | 14 days from date of service |
| PCN full penalty | £180 | 28 days from date of service |
| Charge Certificate (50% increase) | £270 | 14 days from service of the Charge Certificate |
| Order for Recovery (debt at TEC + registration fee) | ~£280 | 21 days from date of service |
| Warrant of Control (enforcement agent) | Penalty + agent fees | After Order for Recovery is unpaid |
Pay within 14 days from the date of service to get the 50% discount. The clock starts the day the PCN is served, not the day you find it. Paying also closes the case; TfL cannot reconsider once paid.
These amounts apply to cars, vans, motorcycles, motor tricycles, mopeds, motor caravans up to 3.5 tonnes and minibuses up to 5 tonnes. Heavier vehicles fall under the separate Low Emission Zone, which carries much larger penalties of £500 or £1,000. The daily ULEZ charge is £12.50, separate from the PCN penalty itself.
Step-by-stepHow to pay ULEZ PCN online
No council websites. No confusing forms. No legal jargon. Just a clear, calm guide through what to do next, right from your phone.
Take a photo of your PCN
Open Snapmyfine and photograph the ticket. It pulls out the details that matter on its own: the issuing council, the amount, the contravention code, and every deadline attached to it.
We explain it in simple terms
You get a straightforward read on what the ticket actually says, what your options are, and whether there is a sensible case to challenge it. No legal wording to decode.
Pay or appeal, your choice, made easy
Settle it securely by Open Banking in a few taps, or use the app to put together a measured appeal, structured the way councils expect to receive one. Snapmyfine also keeps an eye on the dates for you, with a nudge before the 14-day, 21-day and 28-day windows close, so nothing slips past.
The app also watches your deadlines for you with a nudge before the 14-day, 21-day and 28-day windows close, so nothing slips through the cracks.
PCN escalation · don't miss these windowsDeadlines and escalation timeline
A ULEZ PCN does not go away if you ignore it. Here is exactly what happens at each stage and when.
PCN issued
Cameras read your number plate; if the vehicle is non-compliant and no charge or Auto Pay is made within three days, TfL issues a PCN to the registered keeper.
Pay at 50% discount or challenge
Pay £90 at the 50% discount, or make a representation to protect your position.
Full penalty due
Pay the full £180, or make a formal representation.
Charge Certificate
If it is still unpaid after 28 days, the penalty rises by 50% to £270. You then have 14 days to pay.
Order for Recovery
If unpaid after a further 14 days, TfL can register the debt at the Traffic Enforcement Centre and the amount rises by the debt registration fee. You have 21 days to pay or file a statutory declaration. This is not a County Court Judgment and does not affect your credit rating.
Warrant of Control
If it is still unpaid, TfL applies for a warrant of control and passes the case to an enforcement agent, who can clamp, remove or auction the vehicle to recover the debt.
Should you pay or appeal?How to challenge or appeal a ULEZ PCN
You do not need a solicitor. All three stages are free. You only move to the next stage if the previous decision goes against you.
Representation to TfL
Write to TfL within 28 days of the date of service, online via the TfL website, or by post. If you represent within 14 days, TfL holds the discounted rate while it considers your case. TfL must respond; if it accepts, the PCN is cancelled.
Notice of Acceptance or Rejection
If TfL accepts your representation, the PCN is cancelled. If TfL rejects it, you receive a Notice of Rejection with an official Notice of Appeal form. TfL must explain its reasons.
Appeal to London Tribunals
Appeal to the Road User Charging Adjudicators at London Tribunals, the independent adjudicator for TfL road user charging penalties. The hearing is free and can be decided by post, online or in person. If the adjudicator allows your appeal, the PCN is cancelled entirely.
Valid grounds include: you were not the registered keeper at the time; the daily charge had been paid for the correct vehicle and date; the vehicle met the ULEZ emissions standards or held a valid exemption or discount; the vehicle was used without your consent; the penalty exceeds the amount due; or there was a procedural impropriety by TfL. Simply not knowing about the zone is not a valid ground on its own.
Not sure which stage you're at, or how long you've got?
Get Snapmyfine and stay on top of your ULEZPCN, so you don't miss the discount window or the 28-day cutoff. The app reads your notice, tells you exactly where you stand, and reminds you before each deadline.
TfL contact and payment detailsHow to contact TfL about your ULEZ PCN
Quote your PCN reference number in all contact. Have your vehicle registration ready.
Online portal (pay or challenge)
TfL PCN portal, tfl.gov.uk
View evidence, pay or submit representation, fastest method
ULEZ enquiries by phone
0343 222 2222
For payment and PCN queries
Textphone (impaired hearing)
020 7649 9123
Alternative line for textphone users
Appeals body, London Tribunals
Road User Charging Adjudicators, PO Box 460, Hartlepool, TS24 4JE
Tel: 020 7520 7200 · Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 · Independent of TfL
Representations by post
Ultra Low Emission Zone, PO Box 553, Darlington, DL1 9TZ
Allow additional time for postal responses
Contact details last verified July 2026. Phone numbers, portal URLs and postal addresses can change. Always confirm at TfL PCN portal, tfl.gov.uk.
Questions answeredFrequently asked questions about ULEZ PCN
If something's holding you back, it's probably answered here. ULEZ-specific answers, not generic advice.
Free for drivers · No account requiredNot sure whether to pay or fight your ULEZ PCN?
Scan your PCN with Snapmyfine. The app reads the notice, shows your exact deadline, tells you if you have grounds to challenge, and tracks every date all in under 60 seconds.
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Snapmyfine is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Transport for London. This page is general information, not legal advice. Always check your PCN and the official TfL website for the details that apply to your case.