Driving in London can be notoriously challenging, presenting a range of difficulties, including a huge amount of congestion, complex one-way systems, bus lanes and more! There’s a lot to remember, so don’t get caught out while driving in the capital, and see our guide to driving in London.
Congestion charges
Knowing the Congestion Charge is key to driving in London, there is a £11.50 daily charge for driving a vehicle within the congestion charge zone between the hours of 07:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday. The congestion charge zone is displayed on the map above.
The congestion charge doesn’t apply between 18:00 and 07:00 on weekdays, weekends, and public holidays. If you’re a fleet manager, the easiest way to pay the congestion charge is by registering for Fleet Auto Pay, which automatically records the number of vehicles within your fleet travelling within the congestion zone each month. Consequentially, a bill is sent via a monthly direct debit.
Bus Lanes
Due to the extensive amount of buses in service throughout London, bus lanes are extremely common within the capital. Bus lanes operate all day, from 7AM-7PM in the city centre, and they also permit taxis, motorcycles, and bicycles to make use of them throughout the day. The fine is currently £130, so make sure you keep an eye out for those signs!
Traffic
London is renowned for it’s heavy traffic, and with good reason too! It’s one of the most congested cities in the world, so make sure you allow for extra time to get to your destination, especially at peak times, as a 10 minute journey can easily take over an hour.
Roadworks
Roadworks are also frequent within London, and in the case of major works, can lead to road closures. To avoid getting lost within the capital due to an unexpected road closure, ensure that you plan alternative routes. You can stay up to date on current delays and road closures by checking the TFL website.
Parking
Parking in London can be a constant challenge, especially in central areas. To make sure that you know where you can and can’t park in London, Here’s a breakdown of the road markings and what they mean.
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Road Marking
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Stopping
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Parking
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Single Yellow Line
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Allowed
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Allowed on certain days at specific times
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Double Yellow Line
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Allowed
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Not allowed
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Single Red Line
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Allowed at specific times on certain days
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Allowed on certain days at specific times
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Double Red Line
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Not allowed
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Not allowed
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Broken white line bordering the area
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Allowed
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“Pay and display” parking on certain times and days, with free parking at all other times
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Parking your car in a prohibited area can lead to a hefty fine, or even with your car being clamped or towed away.
Stay Safe
Finally, our last piece of advice is to quite simply, be extra vigilant when driving in the capital. London can be full of hazards, including a high volume of cyclists, drivers in a rush, and weaving motorcyclists, all of these on one busy road can be precarious, especially to inexperienced drivers. So be aware, stay cautious and most importantly, and stay safe while driving on one of London’s busy roads!