FLEET management and remarketing specialist Hudson Kapel is warning SME fleets to be ready for a growing number of congestion charge penalties as an increasing number of cities introduce clean air and low-emission zones. The alert comes as new figures show UK drivers, including fleet motorists, are facing record numbers of fines and penalties.
Data from Hudson Kapel highlights a steady rise in congestion charge-related Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) processed through its system. Over the past two years, congestion charge fines have increased from 4% to 6% of all fines managed, a trend closely linked to the expansion of traffic control schemes in major cities.
In addition to London, several other UK cities have implemented or plan to introduce Clean Air Zones (CAZS) and similar schemes to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality. These zones often involve charges for non-compliant vehicles, which can impact fleet operations. Cities with active or upcoming CAZs include:
- Bath,
- Birmingham,
- Bradford,
- Bristol,
- Portsmouth,
- Sheffield,
- and Tyneside (Newcastle and Gateshead).
Each city has its specific regulations and charging structures that fleet managers should be aware of.
Parking fines remain the most common penalty, accounting for 52% of all fines across fleets. The dominance of parking PCNs reflects a wider national trend: private parking companies are on course to issue nearly 14.5 million parking charges in the 2024/25 financial year. This is based on 7.2 million DVLA keeper requests in the first half of the year alone, a 12% rise compared to the same period last year.
Urban enforcement is becoming increasingly sophisticated, driven by investment in automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and AI-based systems by councils, retailers, and private operators. It has enabled authorities and parking operators to issue fines more efficiently and in greater volumes without manual intervention.
Matt Breeze, PCN Operations Lead at Hudson Kapel, said:
“With enforcement levels rising and new zones coming online, fleet operators must act now to ensure they have robust fine management processes in place. New technology and driver engagement are key to avoiding unnecessary costs and keeping fleets moving.
“Although specific figures for fleet drivers are not separated nationally, it’s clear the overall environment is becoming more challenging. Fleets, often concentrated in urban areas where restrictions are tightest, are feeling the impact acutely. Our data underlines that fleets must be proactive in managing these risks, not only to control costs but to maintain compliance with standards.”
In London, where congestion and traffic management measures are most established, the scale of enforcement is already considerable. In 2023/24, a total of 8,333,486 PCNs were issued by borough councils, Transport for London (TfL), and the London Lorry Control Scheme. Parking PCNs rose by 11.2% year-on-year, while moving traffic offences increased by 8.5%.
Hudson Kapel suggests that SME fleet managers should review their compliance strategies and explore solutions that provide real-time oversight and rapid fine handling.
SME fleets are also reminded that the 100% discount from the London Congestion Charge (subject to registering the car with TfL) ends from 25 December 2025.
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