Motorist escapes £160 fine after accidentally driving into car tax zone for coffee

ULEZ: Grant Shapps says it is a money raising scheme

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone was launched in 2019 but was expanded to include most of Greater London in October 2021. Drivers need to pay £12.50 per day if their car is not ULEZ-compatible, or they will face a hefty penalty charge notice as a result of non-payment.

One motorist, who did not want to be named, said they had avoided a fine from November.

They said they had accidentally driven just a few yards into the zone by pulling off the South Circular in Eltham to buy a coffee on November 7.

His vehicle, a nine-year-old Volvo, is liable for the ULEZ charge because it does not have a Euro 6 engine and its NO2 emissions exceed TfL’s rules.

This is in spite of it being “zero-rated” for vehicle excise duty or car tax, as the CO2 emissions from its diesel engine are under the charging threshold of 100g/km.

According to the Standard, the letter said: “Your vehicle was seen being driven in the ULEZ without having paid the appropriate charge.

“On this occasion you have been sent a warning notice rather than a penalty charge notice.

“While we have decided not to issue a PCN on this occasion, we reserve the right to issue a penalty for any future contraventions.

“To help improve air quality we would prefer vehicle owners to drive vehicles that meet the emission standards or, where possible, use public transport, cycle or walk.”

DON’T MISS
Family fined £60 for spending too long looking for space [SHOCKING]
Car sales: Demand increases as EVs provide ‘ray of light’ for industry [ANALYSIS]
E10 petrol changes: Drivers warned fuel prices ‘likely to remain high’ [WARNING]

When the ULEZ was expanded, the Greater London Authority Conservatives as well as the Federation of Small Businesses, called for a month-long fines amnesty.

When it was launched in central London in April 2019, 57,268 drivers were sent a warning letter rather than a fine in the first month.

Susan Hall, leader of the GLA Conservatives, said: “It would be outrageous if TfL were letting some drivers off with a warning, but not others.”

TfL told the Standard that there had not been an amnesty on charges or that a fine had been waived because the Volvo was not liable for VED.

Save 10% on your MOT

It’s Kwik Fits’ Midsommer Madness sale and you can take 10% off your MOT Test with the UK’s #1 MOT tester – just click the link to book online.


Source: Read Full Article