Generating key takeaways...
A driver has racked up over £107,000 in unpaid ULEZ and Congestion Charge fines, highlighting mounting enforcement challenges for TfL amid efforts to curb pollution and traffic congestion in London.
Transport for London (TfL) has revealed that one individual owes an extraordinary £107,980 in unpaid fines accrued from Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and Congestion Charge violations this year, marking the highest amount owed by a single driver. According to information disclosed after a Freedom of Information request, a Kia Ceed driver accumulated 432 penalty charge notices (PCNs) between January and September 2025, consisting of 167 for the Congestion Charge and 265 for ULEZ offences. This surpasses other notable offenders such as a BMW X5 driver with 270 fines amounting to £67,450 and a Renault driver owing £56,580 from 270 PCNs. TfL’s chief customer and strategy officer, Alex Williams, emphasised the importance of addressing penalty charges rather than ignoring them, noting that unpaid PCNs escalate in cost through additional charge certificates and orders for recovery.
Penalties for non-payment of these charges begin at £180, reduced to £90 if settled within 14 days. If the charge remains unpaid, it rises to £270 after 28 days and increases further to £279 following an order for recovery. TfL has conveyed that it utilises contracted enforcement agents and is intensifying collaboration with the government to strengthen measures aimed at holding persistent offenders accountable. In 2025 alone, TfL claims to have recovered over £16.5 million in debt, alongside seizing more than 530 vehicles, some of which are auctioned to recover unpaid fines.
The ULEZ, initially launched in 2019 and expanded in stages to cover all of Greater London by August 2023, charges £12.50 daily for drivers of older, more polluting vehicles. The Congestion Charge similarly applies a daily fee for driving within a central London zone during specified hours to reduce traffic congestion. Data reveals that the majority of PCNs issued involve repeat offenders, with 94% of ULEZ fines attributed to drivers holding four or more outstanding notices, highlighting a persistent challenge for TfL in managing compliance.
Since its expansion, the ULEZ has generated substantial revenue through fines, with over £71 million in PCNs issued since 2019. Areas such as Croydon, Hillingdon, Ealing, and Enfield have seen the highest payments, each contributing several million pounds in fines. However, TfL maintains that the scheme is not designed to generate profit; instead, all income from the ULEZ is reinvested into London’s public transport network. Between August 2023 and June 2024, nearly 1.8 million PCNs were issued for non-payment, amounting to £322.8 million, with £176 million collected in paid charges during the same timeframe.
TfL is pursuing heightened enforcement actions, including possible vehicle impoundment and sale for those who persistently avoid payment, striving to balance the environmental objectives of the ULEZ with effective compliance. These measures reflect ongoing efforts to mitigate pollution and congestion while addressing the financial and administrative burdens associated with non-payment of charges.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (MyLondon) – Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
- [2] (Evening Standard) – Paragraphs 1, 5, 8
- [3] (Evening Standard) – Paragraph 6
- [4] (Evening Standard) – Paragraph 7
- [5] (BBC via Evening Standard) – Paragraph 6
- [6] (BBC via Evening Standard) – Paragraph 6
- [7] (BBC via Evening Standard) – Paragraph 6
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no prior reports found. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 10 October 2025. The report is based on a press release from Transport for London (TfL), which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The content has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/kia-driver-prolific-ulez-congestion-charge-dodger-tfl-b1257122.html?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes were identified in the provided text.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, Transport for London (TfL), which is a strength. The report is based on a press release from TfL, which typically warrants a high reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and consistent with known data. The report lacks specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, or dates, which reduces the score and flags it as potentially synthetic. The tone and language are consistent with official communications from TfL.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is original and based on a press release from a reputable organisation, Transport for London (TfL). No discrepancies or signs of disinformation were identified. The lack of specific factual anchors reduces the score and flags it as potentially synthetic.
