The controversial London ULEZ scheme is here to stay. Here’s everything you need to know, including how to scrap your vehicle if it doesn’t meet the regulations.
What is the ULEZ scheme?
Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is a scheme aimed at reducing air pollution in cities, which is positively linked to causing a serious and wide-ranging impact on human health and the environment.
The scheme operates by charging a fee for vehicles entering a designated zone if they do not meet certain emission standards. The fee is in addition to any congestion charges that may be in place.
The cost of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone scheme in London is £12.50 per day for most vehicle types, including cars, motorcycles, and vans. If you are driving a larger vehicle, such as a truck or a bus, the charge is £100 per day. The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, within the same area as the Congestion Charge.
The first ULEZ was introduced in London in 2019, and since then similar schemes have been established or are planned for other cities around the world, including Paris, Berlin, and Madrid.
How do I know if my car meets the ULEZ criteria?
To determine if your vehicle meets the standards, you can check the emissions rating of your vehicle. You can find this information in two ways.
You can typically find the emissions rating information on your vehicle’s registration certificate (V5C), in the owner’s manual, or by contacting the manufacturer.
Alternatively, you can also use the official ULEZ checker on the TFL website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/vehicle-checker.
Enter your vehicle’s registration number and the checker will inform you if your vehicle meets the standards, or if you will need to pay a daily charge to enter the area.
What do I do if my vehicle doesn’t meet the ULEZ criteria?
If your vehicle does not meet the criteria for ULEZ, you have a few options:
Upgrade to a compliant vehicle: Upgrade or purchase a new vehicle that meets the standards. This is the most straightforward solution and will ensure that you do not have to pay the charge when driving in the designated zone.
However, we understand not everyone can afford to upgrade or purchase a compliant vehicle just like that, especially in this tough economic time. Transport For London has introduced a Scrappage Scheme to help drivers replace their older, higher-polluting vehicles with newer, cleaner alternatives. Under this scheme, drivers can receive a discount on the purchase of a new ULEZ-compliant vehicle if they scrap their old, non-compliant vehicle. The exact details of the scheme, including eligible vehicles and the amount of the discount, can be found on the TFL website here.
At London Metal Recycling, we can help you scrap your non-compliant vehicle and give you the confirmation you need to apply for a discount on a new, compliant vehicle. Get in touch with us if you’d like to learn more about how we can scrap your current vehicle and help you get a discount on a new compliant one.
Pay the ULEZ charge: Without sounding patronising and fully understanding it’s expensive and challenging for most people to pay £12.50 a day to travel in the zone, if you are unable to upgrade your vehicle, there’s nothing you can do at the moment but pay the charge when driving in the designated zone. It’s definitely controversial.
Avoid driving in the ULEZ: If you do not need to drive in the area, you can try and avoid the charge by using alternative modes of transportation such as the train or bus. However, this can be impractical for a lot of people and isn’t an ideal solution for many.
How to scrap your vehicle if it doesn’t meet the ULEZ criteria
As we touched on, the new scrappage scheme is encouraging people in London to scrap their polluting vehicles in exchange for a discount on a new compliant vehicle.
To scrap your car or vehicle in London, you will need to follow these steps:
Get in touch with a reputable scrap yard: At London Metal Recycling, our scrap yard has a great reputation for scrapping vehicles in London and the surrounding area.
Get a quote: Contact the scrap yard and provide them with the make, model, and condition of your car. They will give you a quote for the scrap value of your vehicle. At London Metal Recycling, you can enter your vehicle registration number on this page here and we’ll give you an instant quote to scrap your vehicle.
Arrange for pickup or delivery: Most scrap yards in London offer pickup services, but you can also arrange to deliver the car yourself. We can collect your vehicle from areas across London, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Provide proof of ownership: You will need to show proof of ownership, such as your car’s registration documents before the scrap yard can take your vehicle. At London Metal Recycling, we will need the vehicle’s V5 registration document showing you are the registered owner and any service history information you have for the car, including your logbook.
De-register your car: Before scrapping your car, you will need to de-register it with the DVLA. At London Metal Recycling, we handle this process for you. We have a system that’s linked to the DVLA and notifies them that the vehicle is going to be crushed. This is officially called a Certificate of Destruction.
Receive payment: Once your car has been scrapped, you will receive payment from the scrap yard. The payment will be based on the scrap value of your car, as agreed upon in step 2. At London Metal Recycling, once the quote has been agreed upon, we’ll pay you for your scrap vehicle by electronic transfer or cheque.