ULEZ support for Disabled people

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London is getting bigger. The ULEZ charge will soon cover all of London. If you use a car in London, this change may affect you. There are exemptions available for Disabled people.

The Mayor has made new announcements on 4th August 2023. The main changes are increases to the amount you can get when you scrap or retrofit (modify) your vehicle.

The Easy Read versions do not include these changes. The other information on this page has been updated to include the new changes.

Easy Read

ULEZ plan booklet. Map of London with new ULEZ area, which is bigger than the previous ULEZ area.

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London is getting bigger.

The ULEZ charge will cover all of London.

If you use a car in London, this change may affect you.

 

Information on the TfL website

Check if your car complies with ULEZ standards   

If your car meets ULEZ standards, you don’t have to worry.

If your car doesn’t meet ULEZ standards, you might be entitled to an exemption from the ULEZ charge.

Discounts and exemptions if your car doesn’t meet ULEZ standards

For Disabled people who have cars that do not comply with ULEZ standards, there are discounts and exemptions available. These exemptions are called “grace periods”.

For more information about grace periods, including how to apply for a grace period for your car, go to the ULEZ discounts and exemptions page on the Transport for London website.

To apply for a grace period, you will need to have or create a Road User Charging account.

Vehicle tax class grace period

If your car is registered with the DVLA under the “disabled tax class” or “disabled passenger tax class”, it is exempt from ULEZ until 2027.

Disabled benefits grace period

If you get any of these benefits, you can continue using your car until 2027 without paying the ULEZ charge. You need to register to get the grace period.

  • Standard or enhanced mobility rate of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • 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 (ADP)

Or, meet one of the following criteria:

  • Be a parent or guardian of a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
  • Be a parent or guardian of a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment
  • Have a terminal illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult
  • Be registered blind (severely sight impaired)

View a guide to applying for Disabled Benefits Grace Period with website screenshots and alt text (.docx)

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle grace period

If you have a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle or a car with one or more of the following adaptations, you can apply for an ULEZ grace period:

  • A permanently fitted foldable ramp or a powered lift allowing the wheelchair user to enter the vehicle
  • An electric or hydraulic hoist to lift a person or wheelchair into the vehicle
  • A swivel seat on either the passenger or driver side of the vehicle
  • An accelerator ring permanently fitted to the steering wheel of the vehicle

For more information about grace periods, including how to apply for a grace period for your car, go to the ULEZ discounts and exemptions page on the Transport for London website.

If someone passes away

If a Disabled person who has a grace period sadly passes away, Transport for London has provided the following guidance:

“The nominated driver would need to notify Transport for London if the eligible disabled person had passed away, and their grace period would subsequently end.

In the same way, if they have a disabled tax class vehicle or a blue badge and the holder died, they would also be expected to notify the relevant authority.”

Scrappage scheme if your car doesn’t meet ULEZ standards

The ULEZ exemptions for Disabled people will be in place until 2027. After 2027 you might need to pay the ULEZ charge if your car still doesn’t meet ULEZ standards.

There are various options available to you to ensure your car is ULEZ compliant by 2027.

  • Scrap (give up) your car and get up to £2000
  • Scrap your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle and get up to £10,000
  • You can use this money to buy a new vehicle, or for alternative modes of transport. (Alternatives mode of transport include: Annual Bus & Tram Passes, adapted bicycles, mobility scooters)
  • Get up to £6000 to retrofit (modify) a Wheelchair Accessible Van so it meets ULEZ standards

You can scrap your car by applying to the Mayor of London’s scrappage scheme.

If you get your car from Motability or through Access to Work, you need to speak to them about changing to a ULEZ compliant car.

Further help

We unfortunately can’t provide help with individual applications. You might get help from Transport for London, Transport for All’s advice line or your local DDPO (Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation).

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