TfL seizes over 500 vehicles in crackdown on ULEZ non-payers

Transport for London (TfL) has seized more than 530 vehicles in the first half of 2025 as part of a major enforcement operation targeting drivers who refuse to pay Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) fines.

The clampdown, which recovered £16.5 million in unpaid charges between January and June, is aimed at a small group of persistent evaders - drivers with at least four outstanding penalty charge notices (PCNs). According to TfL, these individuals are responsible for 94% of the debt owed from UK-issued ULEZ fines.

More than 350 seized vehicles have already been sold at auction, raising £285,000 to date. In some cases, individual drivers have paid thousands to settle their debts - one paid nearly £17,000 to clear 46 warrants.

TfL’s enforcement tactics include tracking down offenders through multiple addresses and using court-backed warrants to visit homes, seize vehicles, or recover money owed. Civil action and even bankruptcy proceedings are also on the table for the most extreme cases.

Alex Williams, TfL's Chief Customer & Strategy Officer, said: "We want to make it clear that if you receive a penalty charge for driving in the zone, you should not ignore it. Your penalty will progress to enforcement agents to recover what you owe, and there is a risk that your vehicle and other items of property will be removed. If you're ignoring it because you are facing financial difficulties, please instead engage with our staff, who can consider your individual circumstances and work with you."