Driving any vehicle in London, let alone a van presents a range of challanges from congestion, complex one-way systems, bus lanes and more! But don't panic! read our guide to driving your van in London.
Congestion charges
Knowing the Congestion Charge is key to driving in London, there is a £11.50 daily charge for driving a vehicle within the congestion charge zone between the hours of 07:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday. The congestion charge zone is displayed on the map above.
The congestion charge doesn’t apply between 18:00 and 07:00 on weekdays, weekends, and public holidays. The easiest way to pay is Congestion Charge Auto Pay (CC Auto Pay) and Fleet Auto Pay. Auto Pay is beneficial for a few reasons:
- Never forget to pay the charge again
- A reduced daily charge
- Protection from receiving Penalty Charge Notices as long as your vehicle is registered and your Auto Pay account is active
- Register up to five vehicles
Larger vans, minibuses and other specialist diesel vehicles are affected by the Low Emission Zone (LEZ). If you own this type of vehicle, it must meet certain emissions standards to be driven within the LEZ without paying a daily charge. More information is available here.
Bus Lanes
Bus lanes are very common within the capital and unlike in many towns they operate all day, from 7AM-7PM in the city centre. Bus lanes also permit taxis, motorcycles, and bicycles but not vans! The fine is currently £130, so be aware of bus lanes.
Traffic
London is one of the most congested cities in the world, so make sure you allow for extra time to get to your destination - a 10 minute journey can easily take over an hour.
Roadworks
Roadworks are also frequent within London, and in the case of major works, can lead to road closures. To avoid getting lost within the capital due to an unexpected road closure, ensure that you plan alternative routes. Listen to local radio on your journey or use a sat nav that has built in traffic alerts (Google maps, available on most smart phones is a great sat nav in our opinion.) Remember to adhere to laws at all times when setting and changing your sat nav.
Parking
Parking in London can be a constant challenge, especially in central areas. To make sure that you know where you can and can’t park in London, Here’s a breakdown of the road markings and what they mean.
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Road Marking
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Stopping
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Parking
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Single Yellow Line
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Allowed
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Allowed on certain days at specific times
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Double Yellow Line
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Allowed
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Not allowed
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Single Red Line
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Allowed at specific times on certain days
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Allowed on certain days at specific times
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Double Red Line
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Not allowed
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Not allowed
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Broken white line bordering the area
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Allowed
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“Pay and display” parking on certain times and days, with free parking at all other times
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Parking your van in a prohibited area can lead to a hefty fine, or even your van being towed.
Stay Safe
Finally, our last piece of advice is to quite simply, be extra vigilant when driving in the capital. London can be full of hazards, including a high volume of cyclists, drivers in a rush, and weaving motorcyclists, all of these on one busy road can be precarious, especially to inexperienced drivers. So be aware, stay cautious and most importantly, and stay safe while driving on one of London’s busy roads!