ULEZ chaos as number plate checker website struggles with glitches just hours before expanded emission zone starts

FRUSHED motorists were faced with technical problems today as they struggled to access the ULEZ number plate validator website.

Motorists have lashed out at the last minute to find out if they will be held liable for the increased £12.50 daily charge, which comes into effect across London from midnight.

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You can check the website using your number plate.

But people who tried to visit Transport for London’s website were greeted with a warning saying the site was “busier than usual”.

Users had to wait in a queue to find out if they were affected by Mayor Sadiq Khan’s unpopular move.

It was advised that there would be a one minute wait.

And while it returned to regular operation just moments later, at 1:30 p.m. today, it started showing the error message again.

The Ultra Low Emission Zone, also known as ULEZ, will be expanded starting tomorrow, August 29th.

ULEZ was launched in 2019 to tackle air pollution in central London.

Initially, it only operated in the congestion charge zone before being expanded to the north and south ring roads in 2021, making the charge zone 18 times larger, according to the RAC.

The program runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week and aims to improve people’s health by reducing the amount of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides they breathe.

Drivers are hit with a horrendous daily fee if their vehicle doesn’t meet emissions standards.

Older vehicles, including motorcycles, that do not meet the stricter emissions standards will be charged a fee of £12.50 per day used in the ULEZ.

An interactive map shows how to avoid the hated plan when it expands tomorrow.

In 2022 it was reported that motorists had deposited almost £100m in ULEZ fees in less than 12 months.

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