To avoid ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) cameras and charges in London, the key points are:
- The ULEZ now covers the whole of London (since August 2023), making it almost impossible to avoid the cameras if you drive inside the zone
- The only guaranteed way to avoid ULEZ charges is to drive a ULEZ-compliant vehicle or not to drive in London at all
- ULEZ cameras use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to detect vehicles entering the zone; there are thousands of cameras across London, including fixed and mobile units
- To avoid accidental entry and charges, you can use smartphone apps like Waze or Google Maps, which alert you when approaching or entering the ULEZ and can route you around it
. In Google Maps, selecting the option to avoid tolls and ULEZ zones helps plan compliant routes
- Renting a parking space outside the ULEZ zone and commuting by other means can also help avoid charges if you need to drive only occasionally within London
- Some drivers attempt to evade cameras using illegal methods such as fake number plates or reflective stealth tape, but these are unlawful and can lead to penalties and police investigations
In summary, the legal and practical approach to avoid ULEZ cameras is to either drive a compliant vehicle, avoid driving in the zone, or use navigation apps to plan routes that circumvent ULEZ areas
