Get Ready for a Bumpy Ride: ULEZ Number Plate Checker Faces Tech Glitch Ahead of Midnight Deadline

By Rory Tingle, Home Affairs Correspondent

Updated: 06:23 EDT, 28 August 2023

Buckle up, folks! The ULEZ number plate checker website from Transport for London hit a digital speed bump today. Yep, just as drivers were racing to find out if their trusty wheels would escape the London emission zone's £12.50 daily fee before the clock strikes midnight.

Sadiq Khan's big plan to expand the air quality charging zone across the entire city is causing quite a stir – especially among those drivers who are already feeling the pinch of the wallet.

To help everyone figure out if their car's going to feel the financial heat, TfL rolled out this nifty website where you punch in your ride's license plate, and voilà! It tells you if you're in for a cash crunch.

But hold on, morning brought some surprises. Instead of smooth sailing, a message popped up, saying, "Hey, our website's busier than a beehive. You're in line, and your wait time is just 1 minute. If you're not up for waiting, give it another shot later."

So, what's the fuss all about? Well, the ULEZ thing is mainly aimed at older petrol cars from before 2005. You know, the ones that didn't quite meet Euro 4 emissions standards. They're the target here.

Now, don't think diesel cars are sneaking out of this mess. Nope, unless their engines are all shiny and new with Euro 6 specs (brought into the world in September 2015), they're fair game for the fee. Even those fan-favorite vans like the Ford Transit Custom 310s are getting caught in this web.

Good news – it seems like the online checker is back on track now. So, if you've got that itch to find out if your car's going to be a cash cow for the ULEZ, give it a spin.

Share or comment on this article: Well, not too many emojis allowed here, but you can definitely share this news with your buddies! 🚗💨