Driving in London
A practical guide to road charges, parking and getting around
London driving is easier when you know what to expect. Before setting off, check your route, plan where you'll park and understand any charges along the way.
Our cars are based in Bromley, South East London, and all vehicles in our current fleet are ULEZ compliant. Other road charges, parking fees and restrictions can still apply.
Which charges do we handle?
BR Car Hire handles the following four road charges and recharges them to you through Turo after your trip.
| Charge | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Central London Congestion Charge | Driving within the central London charging zone during its operating hours |
| Blackwall Tunnel charge | Chargeable journeys through Blackwall Tunnel |
| Silvertown Tunnel charge | Chargeable journeys through Silvertown Tunnel |
| Dartford Crossing charge | Chargeable journeys through the Dartford tunnels or Queen Elizabeth II Bridge |
These charges are additional to your rental price. They are not included or free.
Please do not pay these four charges separately unless we have agreed this with you, as this could result in duplicate payments. Contact us before travelling if you are unsure.
Which charges must you pay yourself?
You must arrange and pay all other applicable road and parking charges directly, within the relevant payment deadlines.
- On-street parking and car-park fees including Airports.
- Other toll roads, bridges and crossings.
- Other congestion or road-user charging schemes.
- Any applicable emissions-zone charges outside London.
You are also responsible for applicable parking and traffic penalties under your booking and Turo's policies. Follow the notice's instructions and contact us promptly if it relates to your hire. Our arrangements for the four charges listed above do not cover other locations or payment schemes.
Understand ULEZ
- ULEZ is an emissions-based scheme covering all London boroughs, excluding the M25.
- Our current fleet meets the ULEZ emissions standards, so no London ULEZ charge is due for these vehicles. However, ULEZ compliance does not remove Congestion Charge, tunnel, crossing or parking charges.
Central London Congestion Charge
The standard daily charge is £18 when paid in advance or on the day of travel.
Charging hours:
- Monday–Friday: 7am–6pm.
- Weekends and bank holidays: midday–6pm.
- No charge from Christmas Day to the New Year's Day bank holiday, inclusive.
Eligible electric cars registered on TfL Auto Pay receive a discount, bringing the daily charge to £13.50. Electric cars are not automatically exempt.
Check your destination against the official zone map. A navigation app's "avoid tolls" setting should not be your only check.
For your BR Car Hire vehicle, we handle this charge and recharge the applicable amount through Turo after your trip.
Check TfL's Congestion Charge details for latest charges and times applicableBlackwall, Silvertown and Dartford crossings
Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels
Charges normally apply in both directions between 6am and 10pm daily. Each chargeable crossing is billed separately. The applicable amount depends on the scheme's current rates and payment arrangements.
Blackwall and Silvertown informationDartford Crossing
The Dartford Crossing includes the Dartford tunnels and Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. Charges normally apply between 6am and 10pm daily, including weekends and bank holidays.
Dartford Crossing informationWe handle these crossing charges and recharge them through Turo. Other crossings and tolls remain yours to arrange and pay directly.
Parking: read the sign every time
You are responsible for arranging and paying for parking. We do not pay parking charges through our road-charge arrangements.
Before leaving the car, check:
- Whether the bay is public, permit-only, loading-only or reserved.
- The operating hours and maximum stay.
- Whether payment is required and which app or machine to use.
- Any temporary suspension signs.
- The vehicle registration and location code entered when paying.
Don't assume parking is free on Sundays or bank holidays. Check the signs at the actual bay. Plan parking before arriving at a busy destination, and check car-park height and vehicle-size restrictions.
Red routes and bus lanes
- Red routes: red lines indicate stopping restrictions. Double red lines normally prohibit stopping at all times; single red lines apply during the signed hours. Designated bays have their own conditions. Hazard lights do not give permission to stop.
- Bus lanes: read the signs showing permitted vehicles and operating hours. Some operate around the clock. Hiring a car does not give you permission to use a bus or taxi lane.
Junctions, cyclists and pedestrians
Give yourself time to read signs and choose the correct lane.
- Follow posted speed limits and temporary restrictions.
- At junctions, give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road you are turning into or out of.
- Check mirrors and blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Don't cut across cyclists continuing ahead.
- Don't enter a yellow box junction unless your exit is clear. A specific exception allows waiting to turn right when prevented by oncoming traffic or other vehicles waiting to turn right.
- Watch for bus gates, school streets and access restrictions, including timed restrictions.
- If you miss a turn, continue safely and let your navigation recalculate.
Plan for London traffic
- Allow extra time for collection, appointments and returning the car. Check live traffic and planned closures before leaving, especially for river crossings.
- Set your destination while parked. If you need to change your route or investigate a restriction, stop somewhere safe and legal first.
- For a day spent entirely in central London, consider parking legally outside the centre and completing the journey by public transport. Compare parking, road-charge and travel costs before deciding.
Driving our Tesla?
Plan charging stops alongside your route.
- Use Tesla Superchargers during your hire.
- You are responsible for charging costs.
- Return the car with at least 20% battery remaining.
- Electric driving does not remove parking, crossing or Congestion Charge obligations.
Before you set off
- Check your route for charging zones and crossings.
- Remember: we handle Congestion Charge, Blackwall, Silvertown and Dartford through Turo.
- Arrange and pay all other applicable road and parking charges yourself.
- Allow time for traffic and any charging stop.
- Follow current signs and restrictions throughout your journey.
Need help planning your hire?
Contact us before your trip or browse our fleet to choose your car.
Charge information checked on 18 October 2026. Rates, operating arrangements and restrictions can change; check the linked official guidance before travelling.