United Kingdom · 6 min read
Car sharing in London and the UK: ULEZ, costs and popular routes
Find lift shares in London and across the UK. How ULEZ and the Congestion Charge apply, splitting fuel fairly, insurance basics and popular routes.
By the LinqRoad team · Updated
Car sharing across London
London is big, and plenty of journeys aren't easy by public transport: outer borough to outer borough, early starts to Heathrow, or late returns from the coast. LinqRoad works anywhere in Greater London. Search any pickup and drop and you'll see rides within about 15 miles of each.
Common pickup points include King's Cross St Pancras, Victoria Coach Station, Canary Wharf, Stratford and Heathrow.
ULEZ and the Congestion Charge
The Ultra Low Emission Zone covers all London boroughs, and the Congestion Charge applies in central London at set times. Both are charged per vehicle, not per person, so a full car splits the cost several ways. Charges and exemptions change, so check TfL before you travel.
Insurance and "hire and reward"
Sharing fuel costs with passengers is generally fine as long as you don't make a profit. If you charge more than your costs, the trip can count as "hire and reward", which needs a private hire licence and different insurance. Many insurers confirm that cost-sharing doesn't affect your cover, but check your policy.
Popular UK lift share routes
- From London: Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton, Reading, Milton Keynes, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester
- North: Manchester–Leeds, Manchester–Liverpool, Leeds–York
- South West and Wales: Bristol–Bath, Bristol–Cardiff
- Scotland: Edinburgh–Glasgow, Edinburgh–Newcastle
Frequently asked questions
Can I charge passengers for petrol in the UK?
Yes, a fair share of your costs. Charging more than your costs can count as hire and reward, which needs a licence and different insurance.
Does car sharing make me exempt from ULEZ?
No. ULEZ and the Congestion Charge apply per vehicle regardless of passengers, but sharing reduces what each person pays.
Ready to share a ride?