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 administration fee 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!
