Ways to handle changes to London's congestion charge
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Car insurance policyholders who regularly commute around London will probably know of the London Congestion Charging scheme and the Low Emission Zone strategy.
However, those who fail to look too much into both of these methods may find themselves having to fork out a hefty sum of cash for their travels.
This is especially the case with the Low Emission Zone, as it had only just undergone some modifications when 2012 was rung in, which has led to the net being widened.
So here are some pointers to ensure that drivers avoid being out of pocket just for taking a ride through the nation's capital.
Knowing the differences between each strategy
London's LEZ and its Congestion Charging scheme have plenty of similarities - they obviously both only apply in the capital city and operate by monitoring a vehicle's number plate through a camera system so that everyone is recorded.
This is where the similarities draw to a close though, with one of the most important factors to consider being that while drivers will not be penalised via the congestion charge during weekends and bank holidays, the LEZ is active 24/7.
As a result, larger vans or minibuses which fail to meet the Euro 3 emissions standard or lorries, buses and coaches which creep above the Euro IV limit could find themselves hit with a hefty bill once they come home following a weekend journey out.
How to prevent being penalised
Once again, the ways of stopping being hit hard in the pocket while in the capital falls into two different categories.
For instance, paying for London's congestion charge only requires one payment per day - with this being done either in advance through the internet or on the day when reaching the capital.
However, those who are in breach of London's LEZ will face the prospect of having to modify their vehicle or face the penalty of a bill which stretches from £100 per day for larger vans to £200 for buses and coaches.
Unless a person only plans to commute around the UK's capital city on a rare occasion, the wiser option will be to either fit an approved exhaust filter, which will enable the motor to meet the LEZ emissions standards, or look for a more efficient vehicle altogether.
Who is exempt from charges?
Another matter which drivers may not realise the full extent of when it comes to these two systems is just how many groups are exempt for payments.
With London's congestion charge, there are the obvious exemptions such as emergency vehicles, licensed minicabs and taxis.
Motorists may not understand though that vehicles used by disabled individuals, two-wheeled motorbikes, the armed forces and mopeds can also pass through London free from a congestion charge penalty.
The LEZ is a bit stricter, with fewer vehicles covered than the former strategy, but people who operate historic vehicles dating before January 1st 1973 are in fact among the exemptions, as are specialist non-road going motors.
Knowing these pointers may just save drivers a few pennies the next time they decide to venture into London for a fun day-out.
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