Driving in Central London can be tricky. London is subject to emission legislation charges, strict bus lane rules and highly restricted pavement parking. Nowhere else in the UK is as stringently regulated and enforced as Central London. So, before you venture off the major motorways and into London, there are a few things you should know.
What do I Need to Know About Driving in London?
The most important things you need to know about driving in London are:
The Road Rules
- You must drive on the left at all times.
- You can not drive in bus or cycle lanes.
- It is illegal to use your phone while driving.
- Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt.
- Speed limits are often restricted to 20mph in built-up areas.
The General Environment
- You must plan meticulously to account for road layouts.
- There will be heavy traffic at most hours of the day.
- You must be aware of pedestrians and cyclists – you must give way to them.
- Parking can be difficult to find, and expensive when you do – pre-book a space using the JustPark app.
- Stopping on roadsides is highly restricted.
The Charges
- Paying charges in various zones is compulsory.
- Tolls apply for the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels.
What are the Road Charges in London?
Transport for London enforces three road charges in London: the Congestion Charge and the Ultra-Low Emission Zone. These charges exist to reduce traffic and pollution by requiring payments based on vehicle type, location and time. In turn, they encourage the use of public transport services and maintain air quality in the city centre.
What is the London Congestion Charge?
The London Congestion Charge is a daily £15 fee, introduced in 2003 to combat pollution in Central London. The fee boosts public transport usage and reduces vehicle traffic as a direct result of the off-putting cost of the charge.
The Congestion Charge applies only to a small area of central London, Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 10 pm. On weekends and bank holidays, these hours change to between midday and 6 pm. You have three days to pay the charge; otherwise, you will receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £180. The only dates the Congestion Charge does not apply are from December 25th to January 1st of each year.
You only have to pay the Congestion Charge once a day. You can pay the Congestion Charge over the phone or online, on the day of travel, or in advance. Only pay through the official website (which we have linked in this paragraph). Many unofficial sites will fraudulently collect payments!
If you have an electric vehicle, the Congestion Charge might not apply to you. There is no need to fine an electric vehicle for driving in this zone, because it does not pollute the air like gas and diesel models.
What is the Ultra-Low Emission Zone?
The Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is a broad area of London that charges drivers of non-compliant vehicles a daily fee to reduce air pollution. It covers all London boroughs and the City of London, operating 24 hours a day, every day, except for Christmas Day. You can use the Transport for London (TfL) website to check whether your vehicle meets required emissions standards. If your automobile does not meet the standards, use the ULEZ map to avoid the area, or pay the charge at the end of your visit.
Fortunately, the cars, vans, and minibuses Fairview Vehicle Hire rents are compliant with ULEZ standards. So you will not have to worry about paying the charge.
Is My Car OK for ULEZ in London?
To discover if your car is OK for ULEZ in London, refer to the Transport for London website. There, you can input your license plate number and country of registration, and clarify which charges you may be subject to. As a rule of thumb, there is a good chance that your vehicle is ULEZ-compliant if it was manufactured after 2015.
Diesel cars began production to Euro 6 standards in 2016. Euro 6 drastically reduces Nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions through cleaner technology.
Petrol cars, however, have met the Euro 4 standard since 2005, which covers ULEZ compliance. Therefore, any petrol cars registered after 2015 are well covered.
What are the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels in London?
The Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels in London are two major road crossings under the River Thames. They connect the South and the North, offering alternative routes to ease congestion.
The Blackwall Tunnel can carry 100,000 vehicles daily, but has experienced congestion itself. This build-up is why the Silvertown Tunnel opened in April 2025, to alleviate the pressure at the Blackwall Tunnel. Note that both Tunnels charge a fee to pass through.
What are the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnel Fees?
The Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnel fees range from £1.50 to £10 per passage. This cost depends on the vehicle you drive and the time of day, increasing and decreasing on and off-peak, respectively. The charges are the same if you choose auto-pay while at the tunnel, or if you pay online.
As of December 2025, the charges for the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels are as follows:
| Vehicle type | Auto Pay off-peak charges Applies at all other times between 6am-10pm, including weekends | Auto Pay peak charges Monday to Friday only northbound 6am-10m southbound 4pm-7pm |
| Motorcycles, mopeds, motor tricycles | £1.50 | £2.50 |
| Cars and small vans | £1.50 | £4.00 |
| Large vans | £2.50 | £6.50 |
| Heavy goods vehicles | £5.00 | £10.00 |
You must pay these charges within three days of passing through the tunnels. If you miss the deadline, you will receive a PCN notice of £180, which you must pay within 14 days.
Should Tourists Drive in London?
Driving in Central London can be challenging, even for those who do it regularly. The heavy traffic, complex road rules, scarce parking and road charges in London can be off-putting to many. This is why there is so much readily available public transport and park and ride services on the outskirts.
Tips for Those Driving in Central London for the First Time
Plan Your Route
Before driving into London, meticulously plan your route. Account for road closures, consider the delays that central routes cause, and use a sat-nav. Remember, it is illegal to use your phone while driving. So, a built-in sat nav is the safest option for in-the-moment route changes. If you don’t have a built-in sat nav in your vehicle, it may be beneficial to consider hiring a vehicle with one to make driving in Central London easier.
Avoid Rush Hour Where Possible
Driving in rush hour is frustrating anywhere, let alone in Central London. Rush hours here can delay a journey by over an hour. So, if you are planning to drive into London, or out of the Centre, remember that the morning peak lasts from 6:30 am to 9:30 am, and the evening from 4 pm to 7 pm.
What do Road Markings Mean in Central London?
The three primary road markings that you will see in London are yellow box junctions, bus lanes and red routes. You are not allowed to stop in box junctions or red routes or drive in bus lanes during operational hours. If you are caught breaking these rules, you may receive a PCN notice, incurring fines of £180 per offence.
The times at which bus lanes are operational vary across London. So it is important you read the signs surrounding the bus lanes to determine whether you can drive in them or not. You may notice motorcyclists, taxis and mopeds using the bus lane, even when the buses are operational. This is permitted, but cars, vans and lorries are not.
Red routes are marked by double red lines or by circular blue signs, crossed in red. There are no hours of operation for red routes – they run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, you may be able to stop on roads with single red lines at certain times of the day. To be sure, reference the signs in the area to determine how long you can stay there.
Is Driving in London Easy?
Driving in London, like most cities, is not considered easy. Many passing through choose to use the transport, or hire a London-based private driver to navigate driving in Central London for them. Are you planning a trip to London, and would prefer to hire a private driver rather than add unnecessary stress to your journey? Choose Fairview Vehicle Hire as your personal chauffeur.
Chauffeur Services in London – Fairview Vehicle Hire
Fairview Vehicle Hire offers premium chauffeur services in London and the Home Counties. Whether you are travelling for leisure or business, our chauffeurs are specially trained to cater to the needs of groups and individuals. Our fleet features high-end Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Rolls-Royce vehicles, if you would like to travel in style. We can also accommodate groups of up to 40 passengers, providing luxury minibuses to get you, your luggage, and your group to where you need to be, on time.
Confident you can navigate London yourself, but your vehicle is not ULEZ-compliant? We also offer car and van hire services.
Car and Van Hire in London With Fairview Vehicle Hire
Fairview Vehicle Hire supplies ULEZ-compliant cars and vans to business and domestic customers across the UK. We have five London-based branches, from which you can pick up and drop off your vehicle of choice, on your schedule. Whether you have work equipment to transport or are visiting for leisure, we have a vehicle to suit your needs.
We are one of the UK’s largest independent vehicle hiring companies, and as such, have a fleet of over 2,200 vehicles for you to choose from. Looking for a compact city car with a built-in sat nav? Or a spacious XLWB for business? Or maybe you are not quite sure what you need? Fortunately, our sales representatives are available to guide you toward a suitable vehicle for driving in Central London.
Give us a call if you are interested in learning more about Fairview Vehicle Hire and how our models can help minimise your road charges in London.
Choose Fairview Vehicle Hire for car and van rentals from as little as £18.35 per day!