Auto Pay and London Driving Charges Explained for PCO Drivers

If you’re a PCO driver in London, understanding the various driving charges and how to manage them efficiently is essential to staying compliant and maximising your earnings.

Between the Congestion Charge, Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), and Low Emission Zone (LEZ), keeping track of daily payments can become a hassle, unless you’re set up with Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Auto Pay system.

Here's what you need to know about driving charges in London and how Auto Pay can help you avoid unnecessary fines.

What is Auto Pay and how does it work?

Auto Pay is TfL's payment system that automatically charges your debit card, credit card, or Direct Debit for any applicable driving charges. This includes the Congestion Charge, ULEZ, and LEZ fees, making it easier to manage costs and avoid Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).

New in 2025: Tunnel Charges

From 7 April 2025, Auto Pay will also cover the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnel charges, adding another benefit to staying registered.

Auto Pay vs Fleet Auto Pay

TfL offers two types of Auto Pay accounts:

• Auto Pay: Best for individuals or small businesses operating up to five vehicles.

• Fleet Auto Pay: Ideal for businesses managing more than five vehicles across the TfL charging zones.

At Splend, many of our customers are individual drivers, making standard Auto Pay the perfect solution to simplify compliance.

Benefits of using Auto Pay as a PCO Driver

• Avoid Penalties – Automatically pay your daily charges and reduce your risk of PCNs.

• Hassle-Free Compliance – Never forget to pay again.

• Multi-Vehicle Management – Register up to 5 vehicles on a single Auto Pay account.

• Save on Daily Charges – You’ll save £1 per day on Congestion Charge fees.

• Future-Proofing – Auto Pay will also handle tunnel charges starting April 2025.

How to pay driving charges in London

In addition to Auto Pay, here are other ways to pay your Congestion Charge, ULEZ, or LEZ fees:

• Online: Pay in advance or by midnight three days after travel.

• TfL App: Download the “Pay to drive in London” app on the App Store or Google Play Store for quick payments.

• Phone: Call TfL on 0343 222 1234 to pay within three days of travel.

• In-person: Pay at selected newsagents and petrol stations in Greater London.

• Self-Service Machines: Located in car parks within the charging zones.

Understanding London Charging Days

To avoid confusion, it’s important to know when charges apply:

• Congestion Charge:

  • Monday to Friday: 07:00–18:00

  • Weekends & Bank Holidays: 12:00–18:00

  • No charge on Christmas Day and New Year's Day (including bank holidays)

• ULEZ & LEZ:

  • Operates 24/7, every day of the year (ULEZ pauses only on Christmas Day)

How Splend helps you stay road-ready

When you drive with Splend, we help reduce the admin that comes with being a PCO driver. Our all-inclusive Flexi Own plans give you access to:

• ULEZ-exempt EVs, helping you avoid daily emissions charges

• PCO-ready vehicles with valid PHV licences

• Servicing, insurance, and maintenance all included

• Expert support from our Customer Specialists to help you manage things like Auto Pay setup

Whether you're driving in the Congestion Charge zone, planning to use the Silvertown Tunnel, or just want a more efficient way to stay compliant, Splend is here to support you.

Final Tip

If you haven’t already, sign up for Auto Pay on TfL’s website to ensure you never miss a payment. Combine it with a Splend EV and you’ll minimise your on-road expenses while enjoying a smoother driving experience.

Avoid unnecessary admin fees

Setting up your Auto Pay account with TfL and keeping it topped up, either through Direct Debit or manual payments, helps you avoid unnecessary admin charges from both TfL and Splend.

Splend applies a £15 admin fee for each unpaid charge notice we receive on your behalf, on top of the charge itself. That’s why it’s important to register for Auto Pay as soon as you collect your vehicle.

If you need help setting up Auto Pay, one of our team members will be more than happy to help.

About Splend

At Splend, we believe in drivers. We know their vehicles need to work harder than most; that they drive more miles than most; that their insurance is hefty; their maintenance costs high and that they can face unreasonable finance rates – which is a heavy load to carry on their own.

That’s why at Splend, we exist to support rideshare drivers with a new model, that takes all those car ownership costs, and provides them for less, with lower purchase prices, better rates, lower servicing and insurance costs – all for one weekly repayment, all in one place.