London ULEZ fines drop 13.9% to 1.68 million
Transport for London issued over 1.6 million penalty notices in the 2025-2026 financial year, a decrease from the previous year.
News London evidence indexOpen analysis ▾
The central claim is attributed to TfL data via an FOI request, with figures and dates provided.
Higher is stronger
The article explains the context of the ULEZ expansion and quotes the Mayor, but lacks comment from affected drivers.
Higher is stronger
The headline uses strong language like 'every 19 seconds' but the article provides the data to support it.
Lower is better
London drivers were issued 1,683,552 Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) penalty charge notices (PCNs) in the financial year from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. This total is equivalent to an average of 192 notices issued each hour across the capital, according to data from Transport for London (TfL).
Despite the significant number of fines, the total represents a 13.9% reduction from the previous financial year, when TfL issued 1,956,441 ULEZ penalty notices. The data, obtained by Fast Loan UK through a Freedom of Information request, shows that May 2025 saw the highest number of PCNs issued, with 158,528 notices distributed.
District line service cancelled between Edgware Road and Embankment on 24‑25 Oct 2026
The shutdown also closes Fulham Broadway, Turnham Green and several tram routes, disrupting commuters and football fans across west London.
In contrast, July 2025 recorded 156,030 PCNs, while February 2026 had the lowest total at 118,626. The daily average for May 2025 was approximately 5,110 fines.
For drivers who challenged their ULEZ penalty notices, approximately 72% of these challenges were successful. TfL recorded 117,275 accepted representations and 45,567 rejected representations during the 2025-2026 period, with a small number of cases remaining open.
Impact on Air Quality
TfL asset backlog costs Londoners 830,000 hours in delays
Commuters face significant delays due to £6.5 billion renewals backlog, with experts warning of further increases.
A study commissioned by the Greater London Authority and TfL has estimated a reduction in premature deaths attributed to air quality in London. The research suggested that between 3,800 and 5,100 premature deaths occurred in 2024 due to air quality issues, a decrease from an estimated 6,400 to 8,000 in 2019.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has previously stated that the ULEZ scheme, which expanded across the whole of the city in August 2023, has contributed to improved public health and saved lives.
Questions this report answers
+How many ULEZ penalty notices were issued in the last financial year?
Between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, Transport for London issued 1,683,552 ULEZ penalty charge notices to London drivers. This averages out to 192 notices per hour across the city.
+Did the number of ULEZ fines increase or decrease?
The number of ULEZ penalty notices issued in the 2025-2026 financial year decreased by 13.9% compared to the previous year. In the 2024-2025 financial year, 1,956,441 notices were issued.
+What percentage of ULEZ penalty notice challenges were accepted?
Approximately 72% of challenges made to Transport for London regarding ULEZ penalty notices were accepted. TfL recorded 117,275 accepted representations during the 2025-2026 financial year.
+What impact has ULEZ had on air quality?
A study commissioned by the Greater London Authority and TfL estimated a reduction in premature deaths attributable to air quality in London. The study suggested a decrease from 6,400-8,000 deaths in 2019 to 3,800-5,100 in 2024.
News London Desk
This article was written at the News London news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
How stories are produced and scoredWho runs News LondonCorrections
The London Ledger
A considered capital-wide edit delivered each morning.
More Coverage in Transport & TfL
District line service cancelled between Edgware Road and Embankment on 24‑25 Oct 2026
TfL asset backlog costs Londoners 830,000 hours in delays
TfL consults on all-electric minicab fleet by 2028
