Moving in central London comes with unique challenges: the Congestion Charge, ULEZ fees, strict parking enforcement, and the eternal struggle to find anywhere to put the van. This guide breaks down every charge, every rule, and every trick to make your central London move as smooth (and affordable) as possible.
Congestion Charge
Per Day
(£17.50 if paid within 3 days after)
Operating Hours
Mon-Fri: 7am-6pm
Sat-Sun: 12pm-6pm
Free Periods
Christmas Day to New Year's Day
The Zone
The Congestion Charge zone covers approximately 8 square miles of central London:
- North: Euston Road, Marylebone Road
- East: Tower Bridge Road, Commercial Street
- South: Elephant and Castle, New Kent Road
- West: Park Lane, Edgware Road
Key areas included: Westminster, City of London, Holborn, Soho, Mayfair, South Bank, Southwark (north).
How to spot it: Look for the large red "C" signs and road markings as you enter the zone.
2026 Changes Coming
- From January 2026, the charge increases to £18 per day
- Electric vehicles lose 100% exemption from Christmas 2025 - will pay £13.50 with Auto Pay
- 90% residents' discount being phased out by March 2027
ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone)
The Charge
- Cars, motorcycles, vans (up to 3.5t) £12.50/day
- Lorries, buses, coaches (over 3.5t) £100/day
Operates 24/7, 365 days (except Christmas Day)
Coverage
ULEZ now covers all 32 London boroughs - from Zone 1 right out to the M25 boundary. Expanded August 2023.
Is Your Vehicle Compliant?
Compliant (No Charge)
- Petrol: Euro 4 or later (generally 2006+)
- Diesel: Euro 6 or later (generally Sept 2015+ for cars, Sept 2016+ for vans)
- All electric and hydrogen vehicles
Non-Compliant (£12.50/day)
- Petrol: Euro 3 or earlier
- Diesel: Euro 5 or earlier
- Most vehicles registered before 2006 (petrol) or 2015 (diesel)
Our Vans Are Fully Compliant
All Van Thats Quick vehicles meet ULEZ and LEZ standards. No extra charges for you to worry about - it's included in our quotes.
Parking Suspensions
A parking suspension reserves bays outside your property for the van. It's the only way to guarantee you'll have space on moving day - essential in central London where every spot is fought over.
How It Works
Apply to Your Council
Most boroughs have online applications. You'll need your move date and number of bays (typically 2 bays for one van).
Pay the Fee
Costs vary by borough (see table below). Some boroughs like Islington are free.
Council Posts Signs
Warning notices go up 7-14 days before, telling other drivers not to park there.
Moving Day
If cars are still parked there, the council can move them. Your space is protected.
Important: Apply Both Ends
You may need suspensions at both your current address AND new address. Different boroughs = two separate applications.
Do I Need One?
Recommended If:
- • Moving in Westminster, Kensington, Camden
- • Resident permit parking only
- • No private driveway/off-street parking
- • Large move requiring van to stay all day
May Not Need If:
- • Private driveway available
- • Loading bays nearby
- • Quick move (1-2 hours)
- • Free parking area
Borough-by-Borough Parking Costs
| Borough | Suspension Cost | Notice Required | Short Notice Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islington | FREE | 10-14 days | £100 |
| Westminster | £55-105/day | 10 working days | £20 |
| Camden | £65-120/day* | 17 days (min 3) | Variable |
| Kensington & Chelsea | £50-100/day | 7-10 days | Variable |
| City of London | £40-80/day | 10 days | £50 |
| Southwark | £35-70/day | 10 days | £30 |
| Tower Hamlets | £30-60/day | 7-14 days | Variable |
| Hackney | £25-50/day | 5-10 days | £20 |
*Camden: First day free for house moves (up to 3 spaces). Costs vary by location within each borough.
Borough-Specific Tips
Westminster
Strictest enforcement in London. Wardens are everywhere. Suspension strongly recommended - don't risk it.
Camden
Book early (17 days). First day free for moves is a nice perk. Early morning moves work best here.
Islington
FREE suspensions! Apply early though - 14 days for most streets. Worth doing even if you think you won't need it.
Kensington & Chelsea
Expensive area, expensive parking. Budget £100+ into your move. Visitor vouchers aren't enough for a full move.
Loading Bay Rules
Loading bays are marked areas where you can stop to load/unload without paying for parking. They're a backup option when suspensions aren't practical, but come with strict rules.
The Rules
Must be actively loading/unloading
Continuous activity required - you can't just park and leave the van.
Vehicle must stay attended
Someone should always be at or near the van while it's in the bay.
Time limits apply
Typically 20-40 minutes depending on borough. Check local signs.
Don't obstruct traffic
If you're blocking the road, you can still get a ticket.
How Enforcement Works
Civil Enforcement Officers (traffic wardens) will observe:
- • Private vehicles: 5 minute observation before PCN
- • Commercial vehicles (vans): 10 minute observation before PCN
If they don't see continuous loading activity, you'll get a ticket.
Yellow Line Rules for Moving
Single Yellow Lines
- Can load/unload for up to 40 minutes
- Must be actively loading (not just parked)
- Can't use if there are kerb markings
Double Yellow Lines
- Same loading rules as single yellow
- Up to 40 minutes if continuously loading
- Never for waiting or parking
Red Routes - STRICT
- Double red lines: No stopping at any time. Ever.
- Single red lines: No stopping during operating hours (usually 7am-7pm)
- Red loading boxes: Marked areas where loading is permitted at signed times only
Special Rule for Removals
A removal vehicle can stop for longer than 40 minutes on yellow lines next to a property where a removal is taking place - as long as loading/unloading is happening continuously between the vehicle and the adjacent property.
PCN Fines Guide
Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are the tickets you get for parking violations. Understanding the fines helps you weigh the risk vs. paying for a suspension.
| Violation | Full Fine | Within 14 Days |
|---|---|---|
| Congestion Charge non-payment | £180 | £90 |
| ULEZ non-payment | £180 | £90 |
| Parking in restricted area (higher) | £130 | £65 |
| Overstaying time limit (lower) | £80 | £40 |
| Red route violation | £160 | £80 |
The Maths
A parking suspension in Westminster costs ~£55-105. A single PCN paid within 14 days costs £65-90. Get two tickets and you've lost money. In busy central boroughs, a suspension is usually cheaper than the risk.
Best Times to Move in Central London
Best Times
- Saturday/Sunday mornings - No congestion charge until noon
- Weekdays before 7am - Beat the charge entirely
- School holidays - 20-30% less traffic
- Christmas to New Year - No charge at all
Worst Times
- Weekday rush hours - 7-10am, 4-7pm
- Event days - Sports, concerts, protests
- November-December - Christmas shopping chaos
- Bank holiday weekends - Busier than normal
Central London Move Checklist
2-3 Weeks Before
1 Week Before
Day Before
Moving Day
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the London Congestion Charge in 2025?
The Congestion Charge is £15 per day if paid on the day of travel. If you pay within 3 days after, it's £17.50. From January 2026, the charge increases to £18 per day. The charge operates 7am-6pm Monday-Friday, and 12pm-6pm weekends and bank holidays. It's free between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
What is ULEZ and how much does it cost?
ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) covers all of Greater London. Non-compliant vehicles pay £12.50 per day, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (except Christmas Day). Diesel vans need to be Euro 6 compliant (generally registered after September 2016), and petrol vehicles need Euro 4 (generally registered after 2006).
Do I need a parking suspension for moving in London?
In central London boroughs like Westminster, it's strongly recommended as parking enforcement is strict. A suspension guarantees space outside your property. However, in some boroughs like Islington, suspensions are free. Without a suspension, you risk not finding parking or getting a PCN while loading.
How much does a parking suspension cost in London?
Costs vary significantly by borough. Westminster charges £55-105 per day, Camden £65-120 per day, Kensington & Chelsea £50-100 per day. However, Islington offers free parking suspensions. Most boroughs require 7-14 days notice, with short notice fees of £20-100 if you apply late.
Can I use a loading bay while moving house?
Yes, but with conditions. You must be actively loading/unloading (not just parked), the vehicle can't be left unattended, and you must complete loading within 20-40 minutes depending on the borough. Civil Enforcement Officers observe for 10 minutes before issuing PCNs to commercial vehicles.
Can I park on yellow lines when moving house?
You can load/unload on single and double yellow lines for up to 40 minutes, provided you're actively loading, not causing an obstruction, and there are no loading restrictions (kerb markings). The vehicle must remain attended. However, you cannot park on red routes except in marked loading bays during permitted times.
What happens if I don't pay the Congestion Charge?
You'll receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for £180. If paid within 14 days, it's reduced to £90. You can pay up to 3 days after travel for £17.50 to avoid the PCN. For ULEZ non-payment, the PCN is also £180 (£90 if paid within 14 days).
When is the best time to move in central London?
Weekends before noon are ideal - you avoid the Congestion Charge (which starts at 12pm on weekends) and traffic is lighter. Early morning weekday moves (before 7am) also avoid the charge. School holidays mean less traffic. Avoid weekday rush hours, event days, and the Christmas shopping season.
Moving in Central London?
We handle the hassle. ULEZ compliant vans, Congestion Charge included in quotes, and we know every loading bay in zones 1-2.