Are 125cc Bikes Exempt From ULEZ and the Congestion Charge?

125cc scooters and motorbikes are the cheapest legal way into central London on two wheels. They're fully exempt from the congestion charge, and almost all of them are exempt from ULEZ too. This guide covers exactly when a 125cc is exempt, when it isn't, and how to check before you ride in.

New to riding? You can book CBT training in over 30 London locations and be legal on a 125cc within a day.

Are 125cc scooters exempt from ULEZ?

Almost all of them are. 125cc scooters and motorbikes registered from 1 July 2007 onwards meet the Euro 3 emissions standard, which is what ULEZ requires. That covers every major commuter 125 sold in the UK in the last 18+ years. If your 125cc came from a dealer new since 2008, you're almost certainly exempt.

Worth being clear: the 125cc engine size itself doesn't make a bike ULEZ-exempt. The rule is emissions-based, not capacity-based. A modern Yamaha MT-07 (689cc) is ULEZ-exempt for the same reason a Honda PCX125 is: both meet Euro 3 and both were registered after July 2007.

The handful of 125s that aren't exempt are older bikes from the late 1990s and early 2000s, registered before the Euro 3 cut-off. The same is true for any pre-2007 bike at any engine size: a 1995 250cc or 600cc is just as non-compliant as a 1995 125cc.

If you're buying a 125 second-hand and you're not sure of the bike's age, check the reg plate against the official TfL vehicle checker before assuming it's exempt.

Do 125cc scooters pay the London congestion charge?

No. The London congestion charge exempts all motorbikes by vehicle class, including every 125cc scooter and motorbike.

You don't need to register the bike, set up Auto Pay, or display anything in the windscreen.

For context, drivers of cars pay £15 a day inside the congestion charge zone.

Which 125cc bikes are definitely ULEZ-compliant?

125s sold new in the UK from 2008 onwards are all ULEZ-compliant by default. 

Some of the most common ones we see on London streets, for example:

• Honda PCX125: the UK's best-selling scooter. Every generation since 2010 is Euro 3+ compliant. Current 2025 model is Euro 5.
• Yamaha NMAX 125: Euro 4 from 2015 onwards, Euro 5 from 2021.
• Vespa Primavera 125 / Sprint 125: Euro 4 from 2017, Euro 5 from 2021.
• KTM 125 Duke: all versions since 2011 are Euro 3+ compliant.
• Lexmoto 125s: Euro 4 from launch, Euro 5 across the current range.

For the full picture on which 125s and other commuter bikes work best for London, our guide to the best motorcycles and scooters for commuting covers the current picks and what to look for.

What if my 125cc was registered before 2007?

If your 125cc is from before 1 July 2007 and it's not Euro 3 compliant, you pay the £12.50 ULEZ daily charge to enter the zone. The penalty for not paying is £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. TfL cameras catch non-compliant bikes by reg plate.

The exception is classic bikes over 40 years old that are exempt from road tax. Those get the historic vehicle exemption from ULEZ regardless of emissions. That's a small subset of pre-1986 bikes by 2026.

If your bike falls into the non-compliant window (roughly 1996-2006), the financial maths usually favours upgrading rather than paying the daily charge. At £12.50 per ride into London, four days a week, that's around £2,600 a year. A second-hand Euro 4 125 from 2017 onwards costs £1,500-£2,500.

The cost savings for a London 125cc commuter

For a CBT rider on a compliant 125, riding into London costs nothing in zone charges. Your daily costs are fuel (most 125s manage 100+ mpg), insurance (£300-£600 a year for a typical commuter at age 25+), and parking (free in many London boroughs, paid in Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney and Lewisham — see our London motorbike parking guide).

Compared to a TfL Zone 1-2 monthly travelcard at around £180, or a car running congestion charge plus parking plus fuel at £40+ a day in central London, a 125cc commuter typically pays back the cost of the bike and CBT within a year of regular use.

125cc and London charges: FAQ

Do 125cc scooters pay the London congestion charge?

No. 125cc scooters and motorbikes are exempt from the London congestion charge in all cases, like all motorbikes. The exemption applies all day, every day, regardless of emissions or where you ride within the zone.

Are 125cc bikes exempt from ULEZ?

Yes, if registered from 1 July 2007 onwards. The Euro 3 emissions standard became mandatory for new motorbikes from that date. Older 125s pay the £12.50 ULEZ daily charge unless they qualify under the 40-year classic vehicle exemption.

Which 125cc scooters are best for London commuting?

Honda PCX125, Yamaha NMAX 125, Vespa Primavera, KTM 125 Duke, and the Suzuki GSX-S125 are the most common London commuter picks. All are ULEZ-compliant and congestion-charge-exempt. Our guide to the best motorcycles and scooters for commuting has the full breakdown.

How do I check if my 125 is ULEZ-compliant?

Use the official TfL vehicle checker at tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle. Enter the reg plate and you'll get a definitive answer within seconds.

Do electric 125s have any extra benefits?

Yes. Fully electric 125s are ULEZ-exempt by class regardless of age, and they get parking discounts in several London boroughs that charge for motorcycle parking (for example Westminster bays are free for electric, Camden charges electric bikes 66p vs £1.30 for petrol).