London's U.L.E.Z. Zone, Its Expansion & Relevance To Dafs

[andrew]

Although it's not likely to affect many club members, those of of us living "south of Watford" might (might) be affected by the expansion of the U.L.E.Z. (Ultra Low Emissions Zone) from central London out to the North and South Circular Roads, thereby encompassing a much larger part of London. There are many exemptions to numerous vehicles, including (oddly!) Showmens' vehicles....I must remember to organise a circus next time I venture into the West End!

Enough of this frivolity! Pollution is a serious matter and needs to be addressed. According to the adverts on London's TV and radio promoting this change, apparently 4 out of 5 vehicles driving in the zone already meet the necessary environmental requirements regarding pollution levels, which is A Good Thing, although it rather suggests that the remaining 1 in 5 vehicles causing all the pollution must be really terrible polluters-I find this difficult to believe!

However, the above not withstanding, you'll be glad to know that the U.L.E.Z. charge does not apply to vehicles registered as "historic", so ALL Dafs would be covered in this respect. However, it's worth going through the motions of confirming this, using their website, as on an initial check you'll be informed that the vehicle does have to pay the charge. Later, by checking under the "historic vehicles" section, you'll find it does NOT pay it! I went through this with my own Daf 33.

Whether this will lead to a surge in demand for 40 year old cars in which to run around London is another question entirely.....

[starider]

Thanks for that Andrew, "They've" been banging on about this on "Gold" for sometime now,it's good to have it clarified.

[bobdisk]

Hope this still applies to the 2023 extension of the ULEZ. I am just, only just outside it, but some of my regular destinations are not. The TFL website still says our Dafs must pay. I am sure historic vehicles should still qualify for exemption, but I cannot find information as yet. Watch this space!

[andrew]

All historic vehicles are exempt from the CURRENT U.L.E.Z. charge, regardless of the reason for the trip, so there has been an increase in the user of historic (A.K.A. classic") cars of late, as evidenced by numerous commentators on media (both social and anti-social!) I drive into London quite a lot and frequently in the Daf, (not necessarily because it's exempt from the U.L.E.Z., but because it's SO easy to park!) and I've noticed more classic cars driving about, mostly old Minis and Fords. All seem well maintained and I've not seen any "smoking horrors", suggesting the drivers and owners take a pride both in their cars and the environment. Remember, all these are are over 40 years old, so that's over 40 years of NOT digging new iron from the ground to make new steel, 40 years of NOT shipping a new car from the Far East to a dockside in the U.K., 40 years of keeping local garages employed in servicing and maintaining these cars, and keeping alive the engineering skills and training required so to do. 

It's unclear from the current "consultation process" (=we're going to do it anyway, regardless of what anyone says!) if the exemption for historic vehicles will remain. I expect the mad Musim will wish to have it removed, but it might just slip under the wire without anyone noticing!

[bobdisk]

Found how to confirm a car is exempt, with thanks to Dez Light Bulb Fun from another motoring site.

tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/ will check if your car is ULEZ compliant, not if you have to pay.

But there is a link at the bottom of the page to "pay charges":

tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/pay-to-drive-in-london

Put you registration number in, and this will say if you have to pay, or are exempt.
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