London Congestion Charge
The Congestion Charge applies to most vehicles driving in central London within the charging zone. It's a daily charge, and enforcement is by camera — there's nothing to stop you entering, so it's easy to forget you've incurred it.
From January 2026 the daily charge is £18. You can pay in advance, on the day, or by the deadline afterwards — but if you don't, the penalty dwarfs the charge.
Typical charge
£18.00
Fine if you forget
£180.00
Pay-by deadline
By midnight on the third day after you drive in the zone. After that, a Penalty Charge Notice is issued.
How to pay it yourself
- 1Go to the official TfL pay-to-drive service.
- 2Enter your number plate and the date(s) you drove in the zone.
- 3Pay the daily charge (£18 per day from January 2026).
- 4Consider TfL Auto Pay if you drive in regularly — or let Snaptoll handle it automatically.
What happens if you don't pay
A £180 Penalty Charge Notice (reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days). Around 900,000 of these were issued in 2024 alone.
Never get another Congestion Charge fine
Snaptoll is built to pay the Congestion Charge for you automatically — register your plate once and never track a deadline again. We're launching soon: join the waitlist and we'll tell you the moment it's live.
By joining, you agree we can email you about the Snaptoll launch. We'll never share your email. See our Privacy Policy.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Congestion Charge hours?
The Congestion Charge operates on most days across a defined charging window in central London. Always check the current TfL hours, as they have changed over time.
How long do I have to pay the Congestion Charge?
You can pay up to midnight on the third day after driving in the zone. Miss that and you'll get a £180 penalty.
What is the fine for not paying the Congestion Charge?
£180, reduced to £90 if you pay within 14 days. It's one of the most common penalties issued to London drivers.
How does Snaptoll handle the Congestion Charge?
Register your plate once and we pay the charge automatically whenever you drive in the zone — no daily logging in, no missed deadlines, no penalty.