ULEZ scrappage scheme: Am I eligible and how do I apply?
LONDON Mayor Sadiq Khan has offered some relief to drivers in the city, announcing that motorists with non-ULEZ-compliant vehicles can cash in on a scrappage scheme.
The controversial ULEZ policy sees drivers with older, less environmentally-efficient motors charged a daily fee to drive in the capital in a bid to cut down on pollution.
What is the ULEZ scrappage scheme?
The ULEZ scrappage scheme offers drivers with vehicles that don’t meet the standards required by the Sadiq Khan-backed policy to get cash for their cars.
In the past, the scrappage scheme applied to people who were on certain low income, disability or child benefits.
But in August 2023, it was confirmed that anyone with a non-compliant vehicle living in one of the 32 London boroughs included in the upcoming ULEZ expansion – or in the City of London – will be able take advantage of the plan.
Under the scheme, drivers can get up to £2,000 to scrap their non-compliant cars.
Small businesses, meanwhile, can get rid of three vehicles, with payments for vans ranging from £5,000 to £7,000.
Am I eligible for the ULEZ scrappage scheme?
Londoners receiving child benefits, and some low income or disability benefits, have always been eligible for the ULEZ scrappage scheme.
From August 21, 2023, however, the requirement for receiving benefits will be removed.
Anyone living a London borough, or in the city of London, with a car or motorcycle that does not meet the ULEZ requirements will be eligible for the scheme.
Vehicles that do not meet the ULEZ emissions standards include petrol cars registered before 2006, diesel cars registered before 2015 and motorcycles registered before 2007.
Drivers can use the ULEZ compliance check on the TfL website or the DVLA‘s checker at ulez.co.uk to see whether or not their vehicles are ULEZ compliant.
There are eight grant payment options in the scrappage scheme at the time of writing:
- Scrap a car – £2,000
- Scrap a car – £1,600 plus one adult-rate Annual Bus & Tram Pass
- Scrap a car – £1,200 plus two adult-rate Annual Bus & Tram Passes
- Scrap a motorcycle – £1,000
- Scrap a motorcycle – £600 plus one adult-rate Annual Bus & Tram Pass
- Scrap a motorcycle – £200 plus two adult-rate Annual Bus & Tram Passes
- Scrap a wheelchair accessible vehicle (car or van) – £5,000
- Retrofit a wheelchair accessible vehicle (van only) – £5,000
TfL notes that the options with bus and tram passes have a higher total value than the grant payment alone, due to the worth of the public transport passes.
If you choose an option with a bus and tram pass, this will be issued on an Oyster card.
How to apply for the ULEZ scrappage scheme
Eligible motorists can apply for the scrappage scheme on the TfL website.
At the time of writing, the website is not yet open to all applicants as the expansion of the scheme is not being put in place until August 21.
TfL notes that those wishing to apply for the scheme will need to have, or create, a London road user charging (RUC) account.
You will also need to have a valid email address connected to your RUC account.
The application process needs to be completed in one go and will time out if it is left inactive for 30 minutes.