By: Joshua Finley
The Ultra-Low Emissions Zone, or ULEZ, was introduced in central London in 2019. It charges drivers who enter the relevant areas and whose vehicles produce emissions above the threshold daily.
Currently, ULEZ charges extend to £12.50 per day, which means that a driver with a petrol or diesel car that doesn’t meet the emissions standards and travels in and out of the zone during the working week could incur an annual cost of over £3,000.
Design911, a specialist provider of Porsche OEM parts, aftermarket, and performance parts, clarifies the charges for vintage and classic Porsche owners and explains the recent reforms that have expanded the ULEZ zone to a broader number of London boroughs.
London’s ULEZ Zone: In Summary
Let’s start by outlining the basics of the ULEZ zone, which is intended to help improve air quality in the capital. The zone is in force 24 hours a day, year-round, except Christmas Day, and is designed to discourage drivers with older, higher emissions vehicles from entering London.
The changes mean that rather than covering solely the central areas of London, the charges now apply across almost all of Greater London, resulting in more drivers being subject to them.
While the extra cost of keeping a car on the road is generally considered unwelcome by drivers, it is important to recognize the improvements made, where cleaner air and lower pollution benefit everybody living, working, traveling, and studying in the city:
- In the first months following the introduction of the ULEZ scheme, the majority of vehicles entering the zone began meeting the emissions standards, marking a significant improvement. This compliance has continued to rise.
- Across London, high-polluting vehicles on the roads have seen a noticeable reduction.
- London’s carbon emissions have substantially declined over the past few years, resulting in a positive environmental impact surpassing rail transport’s carbon output.
For some drivers, initiatives that offer scrappage for older cars with a subsidized cost to purchase a modern, low-emission vehicle, often a hybrid or electric model, are a great solution.
Swapping old for new is less feasible for others, especially classic car enthusiasts and vintage Porsche drivers.
Exemptions for Vintage Cars Entering the ULEZ Area
The positive news is that, although the exemptions to the ULEZ scheme are often misunderstood, some vehicles are excluded from paying the charge, regardless of their emissions or how frequently the driver passes into the chargeable zone.
However, this applies only if a vehicle has a historic tax class, which applies to cars manufactured 40 years ago or more. This threshold is rolling, which means that today, vehicles built in or before 1984 are exempt, but in 2025, cars manufactured in 1985 or before will qualify, and so on.
Drivers must apply to the DVLA and complete a form called a V112 to be eligible for historic tax class status.
Provided the DVLA accepts the application, the vehicle will be assigned ‘category R’. This category applies to cars used outside public services that were manufactured or registered 40 years ago and haven’t been modified ‘substantially’ in the past three decades.
Classic Porsches that have been remodeled may remain liable for the ULEZ charge if they do not qualify for this tax category, with the following among the modifications that are considered a major change according to DVLA standards:
- Changes to the engine, including variations in the number of cylinders.
- Replacing the standard steering system, axles, or transmission.
- Modifying or replacing either front or back suspension.
- Changing the chassis, including chassis subframes.
Note that category R tax status doesn’t necessarily mean a classic Porsche is also immediately exempt from road tax since this will depend on the registration date. The rules mean that you can apply for exemption from road tax on the 1st of April following the date the vehicle becomes 40 years old.
Drivers and vintage car collectors must also apply for a change to the vehicle class, recorded on the V5 registration documents, which will be amended from a Private Light Goods (PLG) car to a Historic vehicle.
Requirements for Classic and Vintage Porsches to Claim ULEZ Exemption
Once you have obtained the necessary tax status for your Porsche, you can drive freely into and out of the ULEZ zone without paying a charge. However, you should remember that the Congestion Charge still applies.
It is also essential to ensure you invest sufficient time in servicing and maintenance, even if your Porsche is exempt from MOT requirements.
Exemptions do not override the responsibility for keeping an older Porsche in safe, roadworthy condition, with heavy fines of up to £2,500 for vehicles found to be unsafe or inadequately maintained.
How Does Modifying a Vehicle Impact the Cost of Travelling in the ULEZ Area?
Modifying a younger vehicle that does not meet the emissions standards does not always remove the obligation to pay the ULEZ fee. The standards mean that:
- Petrol cars need to meet Euro 4 emissions rules
- Diesel vehicles must conform to Euro 6 emissions standards
The automated nature of the ULEZ vehicle checker system means that classic vehicles and those modified to reduce their emissions will likely continue to be flagged as subject to the fee and potentially additional fines for non-payment.
Therefore, following the right procedure to register your car as exempt formally is crucial.
A secondary aspect of these reforms is that online marketplaces, such as eBay, have introduced new regulations to prevent the sale of emission-control systems. These components are non-compliant tuning parts that can bypass manufacturer-installed emissions controls.
Porsche drivers who regularly travel into London, wish to claim ULEZ exemption, or want to modify their car to meet the emissions thresholds are strongly advised to consult the experienced Design911 team, ensuring any changes made are compliant, legal and will result in permanent exclusion from ULEZ fees.
Published By: Aize Perez
