Can I Drive a Motorhome into London?

You’ve picked your new vehicle from Lowdhams, but where to go? Although most motorhome travellers prefer to take their vehicles out to explore the countryside or the coast, there may be occasions when it’s necessary to drive into our capital city – however difficult that may be. In this edition of our blog, we’ll examine the unique set of challenges – legal, logistical and practical – around driving a motorhome into London. We’ll look at the intricacies of navigating London’s streets and the specific regulations for larger vehicles.

1. Busy streets and narrow roads: Straight off the bat, the busy streets and narrow roads of London present quite a challenge to motorhome drivers. London is notorious for congested streets and winding roads – especially in central areas. Driving a large motorhome through this sort of scenario can be particularly daunting due to the difficulty of manoeuvring through tight spaces, sharp turns and heavy traffic. Central London is particularly difficult, with streets designed more for smaller vehicles.
2. Bus lanes: Bus lanes are prevalent throughout London. You won’t get any points on your licence if you drive in a bus lane by mistake but, like other cities in the UK, using them inappropriately can result in fairly hefty fines. Motorhomes, regardless of their size, are generally not allowed to use bus lanes unless explicitly stated by the local signage. This restriction can further complicate your navigation through London, as avoiding these lanes may require detours and cause delays.
3. Parking: Parking a motorhome in London can be a significant hurdle. On-street parking is scarce, and London often has Controlled Parking Zones, where parking is either prohibited or heavily restricted for larger vehicles. Off-street parking options are also limited, and finding a suitable parking space which can accommodate the size and weight of a motorhome can be especially challenging. The most sensible way to approach things is to plan your parking in advance – perhaps even using park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts of London.

1. ULEZ: The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) covers all London boroughs, and is in operation 24 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day. Motorhomes, depending on their emissions standards, may be subject to ULEZ charges. Vehicles need to meet strict emissions standards—Euro 4 for petrol and Euro 6 for diesel. If your motorhome does not meet these standards, you’ll need to pay a daily charge of £12.50. Failure to comply can result in significant fines.
2. LEZ: In addition to the ULEZ, London also has a Low Emission Zone (LEZ). This targets heavier vehicles including larger motorhomes, and operates 24/7 across most of Greater London. Vehicles which have a MAM above 3.5 tonnes must meet Euro 6 standards for both NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) and PM (particulate matter) emissions. Non-compliant vehicles can face daily charges up to £300. It’s very important to check your vehicle’s compliance with ULEZ and LEZ standards before driving into London.
3. Congestion charge: You may also need to pay the Congestion Charge should you plan to drive your motorhome into Central London. It is applicable from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and noon to 6pm on weekends and bank holidays. The daily Congestion Charge is £15, and it’s separate from the ULEZ and LEZ charges.
4. DVS: For motorhomes that exceed 12 tonnes, the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) applies. This standard requires vehicles entering London have a permit ensuring that the driver has sufficient visibility from the cab to detect vulnerable road users. This safety measure is particularly relevant for larger motorhomes in London, where there are a lot of people moving about quickly on foot.

1. Plan in advance: Given the general complexities involved in driving a motorhome into London, thorough advance planning is essential. Check whether your motorhome meets the necessary emissions standards using the online vehicle checker provided by Transport for London (TfL). If it doesn’t meet these standards then you should either, make sure you have the correct permits or be prepared to pay the applicable charges.
2. Route plan: Due to restrictions and prohibited travel on certain roads in London, as well as the difficulty of navigating narrow streets in a motorhome, take time to plan your route as carefully as possible. Using nav tools that cater specifically to larger vehicles can help you to avoid those prohibited areas and make your journey smoother.
3. Stay overnight: It’s unlikely, but possible, that you’re looking to stay overnight in your motorhome in London. Be aware that sleeping in a motorhome in residential areas of London is problematic due to the many restrictions and prohibitions on overnight parking for large vehicles. Finding a legal and safe place to park overnight is highly likely to mean you have to stay outside of central London.

If you do decide to press ahead and travel in to London in your motorhome, the best of luck to you! Although doing so is actually legal, it’s something potentially quite difficult that requires careful consideration of the legal, logistical and practical challenges you’ll face. Given the nuances and complexities involved, many motorhome owners might find it more convenient to park outside London and use the public transport network to travel in to the city. Either way, the vehicle you’ve bought from Lowdhams will provide you with something special to both live and travel in.