What is my liability when it comes to Tolls, Congestion or Emission Zones?

When you hire a vehicle from us, you are responsible for paying any charges that come up during your rental. These charges can include:

London Congestion Charge
Dart Charge
Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone Charge
Other road tolls and crossing charges
Parking fees
Traffic offences, such as bus lane fines, prohibited turns, or box junction violations

We want to make your journey as smooth as possible, so here’s what you need to know:

Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ) Charges

Since Europcar vehicles meet Clean Air Zone and Low Emission Zone standards, you won’t need to worry about charges in these areas. For more information on these zones, check out the links to Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ) charges.

How and When Do I Pay These Charges?

For details on how and when to pay specific charges like the London Congestion Charge, Dart Charge, or road tolls, we recommend checking the relevant government websites linked above. We also encourage you to plan ahead and be mindful of road signs during your journey to avoid any accidental traffic offences.

What About Parking Fees?

Most car parks in the UK have clear instructions on-site for how and when to pay. Please follow those instructions to avoid any issues.

What If I Forget to Pay These Charges?

If you forget to pay a required charge, you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Here's what happens next:

The PCN will be sent to Europcar as the registered vehicle owner.
If you haven’t paid the charge, we’ll either:

Transfer liability to you: We’ll provide the issuing body with your details, so they can reissue the notice in your name, and you’ll have 28 days to pay.
Pay the charge ourselves: If we can’t transfer liability, we’ll pay the charge to avoid any additional penalties, and then we’ll charge the cost back to you.

How Do I Pay or Query a Penalty Charge Notice?

If you receive a PCN, you’ll need to contact the issuing body directly. You can find their contact details and payment instructions on the notice or through the links provided above.

Additional Charges

Each time we receive a PCN, our team needs to process it. For this, we’ll charge an Third Party Administration Charge (as set out in the Tariff Guide) to cover the time spent transferring liability or handling payment. This is a separate charge from the PCN and must be paid directly to Europcar.

We hope this clears up any questions you may have! If you need further assistance, feel free to contact our customer service team. Safe travels!

Top 10 UK vehicle tolls and congestion zones in the UK

1. London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

Location: Operates 24/7 across all London boroughs, excluding the M25.
Charge: Approximately £12.50 daily for most vehicles that do not meet the emissions standards.
Purpose: To reduce air pollution in the city.

2. London Congestion Charge (CC)

Location: The central London zone, operating on weekdays and weekends.
Charge: Approximately £15 daily during operating hours for most cars.
Purpose: To reduce traffic congestion in the most central areas.

3. M6 Toll (West Midlands)

Location: The main toll motorway in the UK, bypassing the M6 through the West Midlands.
Charge: Varies depending on vehicle class, time of day, and distance traveled. The maximum charge for cars can be close to £10.
Purpose: To provide a quicker, alternative route for drivers traveling through a heavily congested area.

4. Dartford Crossing (M25)

Location: The crossing of the River Thames linking Essex and Kent.
Charge: Approximately £2.50 for cars, with higher fees for larger vehicles. There are no toll booths; payment must be made in advance or by midnight the next day.
Purpose: To manage traffic on a key part of the M25 London orbital motorway.

5. Clean Air Zone (CAZ) (Birmingham)

Location: Covers all roads within the city's A4540 Middleway Ring Road.
Charge: Approximately £8 daily for cars and vans that do not meet emissions standards.
Purpose: To reduce air pollution in the city centre.

6. Clean Air Zone (CAZ) (Bristol)

Location: A zone within the city centre, operating 24/7.
Charge: Approximately £9 daily for non-compliant cars and vans.
Purpose: To improve air quality by charging high-polluting vehicles.

7. Mersey Tunnels (Liverpool)

Location: The Queensway (A41) and Kingsway (A59) tunnels under the River Mersey, connecting Liverpool and the Wirral.
Charge: Over £2 for a car to cross.
Purpose: To provide a reliable route for vehicles crossing the river.

8. Tyne Tunnels (A19)

Location: Twin road tunnels running under the River Tyne between Howdon and Jarrow.
Charge: Approximately £2.40 for cars.
Purpose: To connect communities and improve road travel in the Tyneside area.

9. Humber Bridge (A15)

Location: A suspension bridge spanning the Humber Estuary between East Riding of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
Charge: Approximately £1.50 for cars.
Purpose: To connect Hull with the south bank of the Humber.

10. Clean Air Zone (CAZ) (Oxford)

Location: The Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) covers a small area of the city centre.
Charge: A daily charge of approximately £2 to £10 for most petrol and diesel vehicles during charging hours.
Purpose: To encourage the use of zero-emission vehicles.