Ulez fines being IGNORED by foreign drivers as thousands get off scot-free
An information sign for the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) on Bridge Road in Chessington
PA
Foreign drivers have been able to avoid paying fines for entering London's Ultra Low Emission Zone because Transport for London cannot find their details.
More than 400,000 drivers avoided coughing up the cash in the first nine months of 2023 as TfL could not find their information in the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency records.
A total of 417,080 fines could not be issued between January and September, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
The figure included the period before London Mayor Sadiq Khan pushed ahead with expanding the carbon-curbing policy to the rest of the capital.
WATCH NOW: Tory candidate Susan Hall on Sadiq Khan's Ulez expansion
A number of motorists who slipped through the net were driving vehicles registered abroad.
Data released earlier this year showed that nearly 168,000 fines were issued to vehicles outside of the United Kingdom in 2022.
Around 22,000 had resolves fines, 30,520 were cancelled but more than 115,00 were left unresolved.
TfL revealed earlier this month that this meant foreign drivers owed approximately £12million.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Ulez expanded again at the end of AugustPAEuropean drivers have been challenging fines handed out during their visits to London.
Despite blue badge holders being exempt from the levy until 2027, a disabled woman was fined £885.
Khan pushed on with the expansion on Ulez on August 29.
The charge became a significant political issue after Rishi Sunak held on to the Uxbridge & South Ruislip by-election as disgruntled motorists made their thoughts clear at the ballot box.
Sadiq Khan decided to push ahead with Ulez
PAA TfL spokesperson said: ”It is a legal requirement for vehicle owners to register their vehicle with the DVLA and ensure details are up to date.
“If a vehicle has incurred a penalty, we contact the DVLA to obtain the keeper details, and if DVLA records are incomplete, a penalty cannot be issued.
“When DVLA data is not available we seek other sources. In other cases there may be evidence of criminal activity.
“If a foreign registered vehicle is used in the ULEZ, and not registered with TfL, the details are passed to European Parking Collections (EPC), who operate on our behalf, under contract.
“They will identify the relevant country and apply to obtain details from the relevant national licensing agency.”
You may like
