Heathrow Drop-Off Charges: A Practical Guide For PCO Drivers
Navigating Heathrow Airport as a PCO driver in the UK can be challenging when it comes to understanding drop-off charges. The airport authorities are frequently updating the fees and pricing structure. Therefore, it is important for PCO drivers to stay in touch with these updates to avoid any extra fees and fines.
Most of the airports in London have a drop-off charge and Heathrow is no exception. All vehicles, including Private vehicles and taxis, are required to pay the Heathrow charge. This is applicable when a vehicle enters a designated drop-off zone.
This thorough guide is to help you understand the Heathrow drop-off charges and save money. Learn how to pay Heathrow drop-off charges, explore potential free parking options and much more.
Key Takeaways:
- Heathrow drop-off charge is a £6 fee which was implemented in November 2021.
- You can pay Heathrow drop charge via phone or online.
- Drivers have 24 hours to pay Heathrow drop-off charges.
- You will be fined £80 if you don’t pay the charge.
- There are also exemptions and discounts available on Heathrow drop-off charges.
- Heathrow drop-off charge was introduced to reduce traffic to the airport.
- You can stay in the Heathrow drop-off zone for up to 10 minutes.
- Heathrow also offers a free drop-off option in parking lots that are away from the terminals.
An Overview of Heathrow Drop-Off Charge
Heathrow drop-off charge was introduced in November 2021. It is a £6 fee which you must pay while entering the drop-off zones of all terminals. Whether PCO cars or not, it applies to all vehicles entering drop-off zones.
Keep in mind that there are no ticketing machines at the airport, and the charge is enforced through an automatic number-plate recognition camera (ANPR). As a PCO driver, it is important to understand how the system works and how to avoid unnecessary fines.
The Heathrow drop-off charge is active 24 hours, 365 days a year. Also, it is not a one-time charge, meaning that you must pay it every time you enter a Heathrow drop-off zone.
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Where Does the Charge Apply?
Heathrow has 4 terminals named as 2, 3, 4, and 5. The charge applies to all the drop-off areas around all the terminals. If you are a PCO driver who regularly drops off passengers at Heathrow terminals, consider creating a personal or business account. This helps you prepay for multiple visits and saves you time in the long run.
How Long Can I Stay in Heathrow’s Drop-Off Zone?
Heathrow drop-off zones are for quick drop-offs, not for longer stays. If you spend too much time, you will be penalised. As mentioned earlier, Heathrow has installed automatic number plate cameras that constantly monitor the zone.
No vehicle entering or exiting the zones can escape these cameras. Even during non-peak hours, the cameras monitor the zone.
According to the rules, you can only be in the drop-off zone for up to 10 minutes. Even a minute longer than that will get you fined. The rule applies 24/7.
It doesn’t matter if you are waiting for someone or have to grab a bag, you can’t stay longer than 10 minutes.
The drop-off zones are designated for quick drop-offs only, and waiting or parking is not permitted.
Does Heathrow Offer a Free Drop-Off Option?
Heathrow has free drop-off zones called Long Stay car parks. Here, you can park for free for the first 30 minutes. If you stay longer than that, you will have to pay £9.40 for the first two hours.
Please remember that the free drop-off zones are located a bit further away from the terminals, and the passengers may have to walk or take a shuttle bus to reach their desired terminal.
However, finding these spots is not an easy task, as they are not well-marked. You will need to know exactly where you are parking. If you end up in the wrong spot, you may have to pay fines. So, while it’s possible to avoid Heathrow drop-off charges, you may have to put in an extra effort.
How to Pay Heathrow Drop-Off Charges
There’s a simple process to pay Heathrow drop-off charge. You can pay it online, via phone, or the contactless payment points at the airport.
- If you want to pay it online, you have to visit the Heathrow airport drop-off website, enter your vehicle details including the registration number and make the payment.
- If you want to pay it through the phone, there’s an automated telephone service at 0330 008 5600 that lets you do so.
Remember that if you drive for a ride-booking app such as Uber, Bolt, or Freenow, the Heathrow drop-off charge is the passenger’s liability. The drop-off charge fee is included as part of the total fare shown in the app. So, even though the fee is paid by the driver, they already got the amount from the passenger as part of the total fare.
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Is There A Time Limit To Pay The Charge?
You must pay the charge by midnight on the day after you drop off the passengers, meaning that you have at least 24 hours to pay. There is no grace period beyond this. This allows a smooth experience for both passengers and drivers while also generating enough revenue for the airport to support its operations.
Will I Be Penalised If I Don’t Pay The Charge?
If you don’t pay the charge within the given time frame, you will be fined £80. However, the fine is reduced to £40 if you pay it within 14 days. The idea is simple, follow the time limit and you are good to go. Ignore the rules and you will have to pay the fine that could have been easily avoided.
Is Anyone Exempt from Paying the Drop-Off Charge?
If someone is a blue badge holder, Heathrow exempts them from paying the drop-off charge. A blue badge holder is someone who carries a disability or condition that impairs them to walk independently. These people have to park in spaces closer to their destinations to reduce their walking distance.
Even if a blue badge holder is travelling in a taxi or a friend’s car, they are eligible for a full exemption of drop-off charges. However, they must use the call point and state their blue badge and registration number on the entry and exit points to the operator.
Buses or coaches are also eligible for discounts. However, there are height restrictions on drop-off zones and they must use coach-drop-off bays in each terminal.
A vehicle is also eligible for a discount if it’s booked for Heathrow valet parking.
How to Avoid Paying Heathrow PCNs?
If you have been given a parking charge notice, you have the right to file an appeal or request a refund. However, before your request is approved, the authorities will review the evidence against you to see whether PCN was correctly issued to you. You can also provide evidence that shows that you were not guilty.
If the evidence is not sufficient, you will have to pay the charge. There are some other ways as well through which you can contest paying the fine. These include:
- You received the notice well over 14 days after the alleged violation
- Confusion signs in the airport
- You tried but couldn’t pay the fine within 24 hours
- You have proof that you were not the driver when the charge was issued
So, you don’t have to accept the fine right away. You have the right to contest the charge. Gather the evidence and take all the necessary steps. The more proactive you are, the higher your chance of succeeding.
Conclusion:
This was some essential information on Heathrow drop-off charges. By understanding how the rules work, you can avoid hefty fines. There are also free alternatives like Long Stay Car Park, but it comes with a time limit, which is 30 minutes to be precise. Every minute counts in these busy zones. So, be aware of the time limits, stay updated with Heathrow’s policies and you are good to go.
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