Are You Hiring One of Our Vans to go to London?

Hiring a van with J.D.Robertson & Co. Ltd is quick, easy and cost-effective. If you are travelling to London, you may wonder about the potential charges you could face in certain zones. Here we look at these charges.

What is ULEZ?

ULEZ stands for Ultra Low Emission Zone, which refers to an area in London where a fee is charged for driving the most polluting vehicles. This is a form of tax applicable for the ultra-low emission zone in London, brought in to comply with the European environmental factors aimed at reducing climate change and air pollution. While this is undoubtedly a positive move environmentally, it can cause drivers bother if they are not prepared or happen to have the wrong car in the wrong area! 

As the goal is to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality, the ULEZ applies to all vehicles, including cars, vans, buses, lorries and motorcycles. If the vehicle does not meet the required Euro emissions standards, it will incur a ULEZ charge which is currently £12.50 a day for most small vehicles.

Most of our hire vans are ULEZ compliant, and if you let us know at the time of booking that you intend to travel to London, we will do our utmost to ensure you are allocated a suitable vehicle. 

For more information on the ULEZ charge please visit https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone for more information on the ULEZ charge.

London Congestion Charge

It can be easy to mix up the congestion charge and the ULEZ, but it is important to understand the difference between the two if you are travelling to and within London. While the ULEZ is a daily fee for any vehicle not meeting the emissions standards, the congestion charge is a daily fee for travelling in the congestion zone during congestion hours. So, if you are travelling in a non-ULEZ compliant vehicle within the South and North circular roads, you will face both fees. The congestion charge is currently £15 a day.

To find out more about the London Congestion charge, click here.

Are you Crossing the QE2 Bridge?

When taking one of our hire vans over the QE2 bridge or through the Dartford tunnels, you have until midnight on the following day to ensure payment is made. Crossings for both directions are charged at £3 for a van. 

You can find more information on the QE2 bridge by clicking here.

Hiring a Van for London Travel

When you hire a van, you are responsible for any charges incurred during use, including parking, permits and fees. Travelling through London doesn’t have to be stressful; planning ahead and checking up on potential fees will help make your van hire experience hassle-free.