Technical difficulties hit ULEZ number plate checker website

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【Summary】Transport for London's ULEZ numberplate checker website experienced technical difficulties as drivers rushed to see if their cars will be subject to a £12.50 daily charge. The expansion of the air quality charging zone to the whole of London has been met with criticism. The ULEZ will affect petrol vehicles introduced before 2005 that are not compliant with Euro 4 emissions regulations, as well as diesel cars and vans that do not comply with Euro 6 rules.

FutureCar Staff Aug 30, 2023 9:33 AM PT

Technical difficulties hit ULEZ number plate checker website

Transport for London's (TfL) ULEZ numberplate checker website experienced technical issues today as drivers rushed to determine if their vehicles would be subject to a £12.50 daily charge starting at midnight. This policy, implemented by Sadiq Khan, extends the air quality charging zone to cover all of London, impacting drivers already struggling with the cost of living crisis. TfL launched a website where drivers could input their registration details to check if their vehicles would be affected. However, this morning, the website displayed a warning message indicating technical difficulties and delays. It appears that TfL's online numberplate checker is now functioning normally.

Mr. Khan's ULEZ expansion has faced significant criticism from some Londoners. The ULEZ will primarily affect petrol vehicles introduced before 2005 that do not comply with Euro 4 emissions regulations. Diesel cars and vans will only be exempt if their engines comply with more recent Euro 6 rules, introduced in September 2015. Popular vans like the Ford Transit Custom 310s will be subject to the charge, as will diesel cars such as the Volkswagen Golf SE Bluemotion Tech TDI (2014), the Seat Leon FR TDI (2014), and the Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX Excite Hatchback (2014). Affected petrol cars include the Ford Puma Mk1 (2001) and the Honda Civic 1.6i LS Limited Edition 5dr (1998).

Today, the surge of people visiting TfL's online checker to determine their vehicle's compliance caused technical issues, resulting in delays. In protest against the ULEZ expansion, campaigners left a caravan covered in protest messages outside Sadiq Khan's home in Tooting. The caravan, known as the 'Khan-ovan of hate,' criticizes the Mayor as the 'dictator of London' and features slogans such as 'Pay me £12.50 and you can pollute for 24 hours' and 'sack Khan.'

Despite the opposition, Greater London Authority planners assert that the majority of cars and vans already meet the ULEZ standards. However, there has been resistance to the plans, with ULEZ cameras being vandalized in outer boroughs of London. The act of protest has been carried out by several local authorities, including Surrey County Council, Kent County Council, Essex County Council, Hertfordshire Council, Buckinghamshire Council, and Thurrock Council. These councils have refused to sign a legal agreement with TfL to allow ULEZ signs within their borders. Only Slough Borough Council, which shares the smallest border with London, has signed an agreement.

A top motoring lawyer, Nick Freeman, known as Mr. Loophole, has advised that drivers who enter the newly expanded ULEZ zones without encountering warning signs may have grounds to challenge their fines. He argues that clear and unambiguous signage is necessary for the enforcement of road traffic regulations. TfL maintains that all the necessary signs for the scheme's enforcement will be in place and that drivers should be aware of the standards and boundaries. However, if drivers feel they have been unfairly fined, they can appeal to the traffic penalties tribunal.