Driving a van in London costs more and demands more planning than driving one anywhere else in the UK. Congestion charges, ULEZ charges, tunnel tolls and parking penalties, all before you have unloaded anything, can overlap in ways that catch out first-time van drivers in London and anyone who normally drives a car.
We will cover the charges, the restrictions and the loading rules that apply to vans up to 3.5 tonnes across Greater London. If you’re hiring a van for a house move, a delivery round, a shoot day or a site visit, you’ll know what to expect before you drive a van in London.
What Licence Do You Need to Drive a Van in London?
To drive a van in London, you need a valid UK driving licence, typically a Category B type. The type of licence you need will depend on the type of van you are driving:
Category B for most standard vans:
- Lets you drive a van up to a maximum authorised mass of up to 3.5 tonnes
- Covers electric or hydrogen-powered alternative fuel vans up to 4.25 tonnes
Category C1 for medium-sized commercial vans:
- Lets you drive a van up to 7.5 tonnes
- Automatically included if you passed your car test before 1 January 1997
Category C for heavy goods and large vehicles:
- Required for large commercial transport and heavier specialist vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes
If you’re looking to hire a van in London, some hire companies apply their own conditions on top of the legal minimum. These usually cover minimum age, minimum licence-held period and the documents you need to bring to the branch. Our guide to van hire requirements sets out what Fairview requires, and our van hire insurance article explains what your cover does and does not include.
Do You Have to Pay ULEZ in a Hired Van?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone charges £12.50 a day for non-compliant vans up to 3.5 tonnes, and it covers every London borough, 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day. Compliance is based on emissions standards and the vehicle weight.
- Diesel vans up to 3.5 tonnes need to meet Euro 6.
- Petrol vans up to 3.5 tonnes need to meet Euro 4.
- Large vans over 3.5 tonnes are exempt from the ULEZ charge.
Fairview’s commercial vehicle hires and van hires in London are ULEZ compliant, so you will not pay the daily charge in a Fairview van. If you are driving your van into the city instead, run the plate through the TfL vehicle checker before you set off.
The ULEZ operates in addition to the Congestion Charge.
How Much is the Congestion Charge for a Van in London 2026?
The daily congestion charge in London for a van is £18, paid on the day of travel or in advance, or £21 if you pay within three days afterwards.
Two details matter for van drivers in particular:
- ULEZ compliance does not exempt you. A brand new diesel van pays nothing for ULEZ and still pays the full £18 congestion charge in the zone.
- Electric vans get 50% off, but only on Auto Pay. That brings the charge down to £9 a day, and the discount disappears if the vehicle is not registered. Our electric vehicle hire fleet is worth considering for regular central London work.
The penalty for non-payment is £160, reduced to £80 within 14 days.
Our guide to driving in central London walks through the zone boundary and how to pay for it.
What Other London Charges Should Van Drivers Know About?
The Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels have been charged crossings since April 2025 and may not be as well known to newer drivers in London.
Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels Charge
- Charges apply between 6am and 10pm in both directions, so a return trip is two payments.
- Small vans pay £1.50 off-peak and £4 at peak times.
- Larger vans pay £2.50 off-peak and £6.50 at peak.
The Dartford Crossing
Sits outside London but affects anyone approaching from Kent or Essex. Two-axle goods vehicles pay more than cars, and payment is due by midnight the day after crossing.
Where Can You Legally Load and Unload in London?
In London you can legally load and unload in designated loading bays, in standard parking bays, and on single or double yellow lines.
Loading rules change depending on the colour of the line, and getting this wrong is the most common way van drivers collect penalties in London. Red routes are managed by TfL and carry the strictest conditions. Borough roads use yellow lines and their own signage.
Here is how the main markings work:
- Double red lines: no stopping at any time, for any reason, including loading.
- Single red lines: no stopping during the hours shown on the nearby sign.
- Double yellow lines: no loading at any time.
- Single yellow lines: loading is generally permitted outside the restricted hours, usually for 20 or 40 minutes.
Always check local roadside signs for exact maximum times.
What Does Driving a Van in London Mean for Your Industry?
Film and TV production
Equipment vans used for film and TV production usually need parking bay suspensions arranged with the borough film office, and those applications typically need at least five to ten working days. Call times before 6am sit outside congestion charge hours but never outside ULEZ, which runs around the clock.
Construction
Construction jobs in London usually use vans under 3.5 tonnes, which puts you under ULEZ rules and nothing else. Anything heavier moves into Low Emission Zone territory instead, where a non-compliant vehicle pays £100 or £300 a day depending on its emissions standard.
Removals and house moves
Driving a van for a house move in London is mostly a question of timing. The congestion charge zone starts charging at noon on a Saturday rather than 7 am.
Delivery and courier businesses
Driving a van for delivery work in London means knowing where you can legally stop to make deliveries.
Stopping in a red route brings a £160 penalty charge, so check loading restrictions before pulling over, as some areas only allow loading at specific times. If you are crossing the congestion charge zone regularly, Auto Pay is worth setting up so the £18 is taken automatically rather than forgotten.
Catering and food businesses
Driving a van for food deliveries in London usually means starting early, because a drop made before 7am avoids the congestion charge entirely and beats the traffic. Chilled and frozen loads need a refrigerated van, and if you are delivering to restaurants or hotels, the loading bay is often shared and time-limited.
Hire a London-Ready Van From Fairview Vehicle Hire
Every van in the Fairview fleet is ULEZ compliant and maintained for daily commercial use. We have six branches across London, and our hire terms start from a single day to long-term van rentals.
Browse our van hire in London range, explore commercial vehicle hire for business accounts, or contact the team to talk through which size fits the job.