The Congestion Charge is Going Up to £18 — All You Need to Know

If you drive into central London regularly, you'll want to read this. TfL has announced that the Congestion Charge is increasing.

Here's all you need to know about the price rise, when it starts, and how to avoid getting caught out.

Appeal your Congestion Charge with Resolvo in just 2 minutes

📌 What's Changing?

The daily Congestion Charge is going up from £15 to £18 — or £21.00 (if it is paid within 3 days).

When does it start? The new rate takes effect from 2 January 2026

Who does it affect? Anyone driving into the Congestion Charge Zone during charging hours — that's:

• 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday

• 12pm to 6pm on weekends and bank holidays

• No charge between Christmas Day and New Year's Day

Does it affect ULEZ charge? No. The ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) remains £12.50 per day and is separate from the Congestion Charge. If your vehicle isn't ULEZ-compliant and you're driving into central London during charging hours, you'll pay both.

🚗 Why Is TfL Raising the Charge?

TfL says the increase is needed to:

• Fund improvements to London's transport network

• Reduce congestion in central London

• Encourage more people to use public transport or cleaner vehicles

But here's the reality: TfL brought in around £345 million from Congestion Charge payments in 2024 alone. Add the £89.3 million from fines in 2023/24, you can see why drivers feel like they're funding the system twice over — once through the charge, and again when they slip up.

The new £18 rate will only increase that revenue further.

⚠️ What Happens If You Forget to Pay?

The fine for missing a Congestion Charge payment is £180 — reduced to £90 if you pay within 14 days.

With the charge going up, it's even more important to stay on top of payments. One missed day could cost you more than a month's worth of charges.

Common reasons people get fined:

• Forgot to pay before midnight the next day

• Entered the wrong number plate

• Payment card failed or expired

• Thought they'd paid, but the transaction didn't go through

• Didn't realise they'd entered the zone (especially near boundary areas)

In 2023, over 900,000 PCNs were issued for missed Congestion Charge payments. That's nearly a million drivers caught out — and with the new higher rate, there's even less room for error.

💳 How to Avoid Getting Caught Out: Set Up Auto Pay

The easiest way to never miss a payment again? Set up TfL's Auto Pay service.

What it does:

• Automatically charges you for each day you drive into the zone

• Covers Congestion Charge, ULEZ, and even LEZ

• Works for up to 5 vehicles on one account

• Sends email receipts and notifications

Why it's worth it:

If you drive into central London even once a month, Auto Pay removes the risk of forgetting. One missed payment wipes out the savings from four days of charges.

It's especially useful if you:

• Drive into London irregularly (so you don't have a routine)

• Use multiple vehicles or hire cars for work

• Want peace of mind that you'll never get a PCN

You can set it up in minutes on the TfL website.

🧾 What If You Get a Fine After the Increase?

If you're hit with a Congestion Charge PCN and believe it's unfair, you can appeal — and you should.

Valid reasons to appeal:

• You paid on time, but there was a system error

• You entered the wrong number plate by mistake

• You weren't the registered keeper at the time

• The PCN was sent to you late (hire car, fleet vehicle, etc.)

• You had a medical emergency or breakdown

• You were diverted into the zone due to road closures

Don't ignore it. But don't pay blindly either — especially if you think TfL got it wrong.

🤖 Stuck? Resolvo Writes Your Appeal for Free

Writing an appeal can feel stressful. What if you word it wrong? What if they reject it because of how you phrased something?

That's exactly why Resolvo exists.

Here's how it works:

1. Tell Resolvo what happened (or upload a photo of your PCN)

2. Resolvo creates a tailored, structured appeal letter

3. You copy and send it to TfL via their portal

It takes 2 minutes — and it's completely free.

Over 900,000 drivers got fined in 2023 alone. Many of them could have appealed successfully but didn't know how, or didn't bother because it seemed too complicated.

Don't be one of them.

👉 Appeal your Congestion Charge with Resolvo — it's free

📊 Congestion Charge vs ULEZ: Quick Reminder

With both charges in play, it's easy to get confused. Here's a quick breakdown:

Key point: If you drive a non-ULEZ-compliant car into central London during charging hours, you'll pay both — that's now £30.50 per day (£18 + £12.50).

🔍 FAQs About the Congestion Charge Increase

Q: When does the new £18 rate start? A: From 2nd Jan 2026. If you drive into the zone after this date, you'll pay the new rate.

Q: Does this affect the ULEZ charge too? A: No. ULEZ remains £12.50 per day and is completely separate.

Q: Can I still pay by midnight the next day? A: Yes. The payment deadline hasn't changed — just the amount you'll pay.

Q: Will Auto Pay adjust automatically? A: Yes. If you're on Auto Pay, TfL will charge you the new rate from the start date — no action needed.

Q: What happens to discounts or exemptions? A: Discounts (like the 90% residents' discount) will apply to the new rate. Check TfL's site for updated figures.

Q: Can I appeal if I didn't know about the increase? A: Unlikely. TfL will argue the increase was publicly announced. But if there was genuine confusion (e.g., unclear signage on the day), you could try — Resolvo can help you make the case.

📝 Final Thoughts

The Congestion Charge is going up to £18— and if you're a regular London driver, that's going to add up fast.

Here's what you can do:

• Set up Auto Pay — it's the easiest way to never miss a payment

• Check your routes — are there times you can avoid the zone? Check this map for the full zone

• Know your rights— if you get a PCN and it's unfair, appeal it

And if you do get caught out? Don't panic. Use Resolvo to write a strong, professional appeal in under 2 minutes — completely free.

The system isn't going to get any cheaper. But with the right tools, you can at least avoid paying more than you need to.

👉 Appeal a Congestion Charge fine with Resolvo