Blackwall & Silvertown Tunnel charges explained

The Otto Team
March 26, 2025

From 7 April 2025, Transport for London (TfL) will begin charging drivers to use both the existing Blackwall Tunnel and the brand-new Silvertown Tunnel. For car drivers who regularly make Thames crossings – especially if you’re a PCO driver – this is important news for you.

The Silvertown Tunnel, which connects Silvertown in Newham, East London to the Greenwich Peninsula, has been built to help ease traffic near the Blackwall Tunnel. It’s designed to make rush hour journeys quicker and improve public transport links between both sides of the river.

When do the new toll charges apply?
How much will the toll fees be?
Why are there charges for these tunnels?
Helpful tips for PCO drivers

When do the new toll charges apply?

Motorists cross the Blackwall Tunnel and Silvertown Tunnel should be aware of the peak and off-peak toll charges that apply every day during the following hours:

Charging hours: 6am – 10pm
Free travel overnight: 10pm – 6am
Charges apply in both directions (northbound and southbound)

How much will the toll fees be?

For cars and small van drivers (including most PCO vehicles), here’s what you’ll pay per crossing during toll hours:

Peak Hours (higher charge):

£4.00 during peak hours
Northbound (towards East London): Monday to Friday, 6am – 10am
Southbound (towards South London): Monday to Friday, 4pm – 7:00 pm

Off-Peak Hours (lower charge):

£1.50 during off-peak hours
All other times within the 6am – 10pm window
All weekend travel is off-peak

Why are there charges for these tunnels?

The tunnel user charges have been introduced to:

Keep traffic levels under control
Repay the cost of building the Silvertown Tunnel
Help cover the cost of running and maintaining both tunnels

By charging at busier times and keeping travel free overnight, TfL hopes to spread traffic more evenly and reduce congestion.

For more information about the new Silvertown Tunnel and the upcoming charges – check out the TfL website.

Helpful tips for PCO drivers

You won’t be charged when using a zero-emission capable private hire vehicle for a TfL-licensed booking.
You will be charged every time you use the Blackwall or Silvertown Tunnels without a booking – even if you’re in a zero-emission vehicle.
You need to make sure you’re signed up to a TfL Auto Pay to make payments automatic and stress-free (if you’re an Otto Car driver, you should already have this set up).
These charges are the same for both tunnels.
Overnight travel is currently free.
If you’re unsure how much you'll pay, TfL has a vehicle checker tool on their website.

It's worth planning your journeys in advance – look into other routes or aim to travel during off-peak hours to save money and avoid unexpected toll charges on your account.

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Explore our wide range of electric cars on Rent to Buy or PCO Car Hire plans, designed to fit your needs.

Already know the car you want? Visit one of our London hubs or call us on 020 8740 7444 – our friendly Otto Team is always here to help!

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Uber Partners & PCO drivers looking for additional income can find the top delivery and courier companies here, from Uber Eats to Amazon Flex.

PCO driver guide

Highway Code changes – Here’s what PCO drivers need to know

New Highway Code 2022 rules will come into force soon, and here is a PCO and Uber driver guide to the key changes for you to avoid fines.

PCO driver guide

How to deal with road rage as an Uber driver

Road rage is more common than you think, with almost half of UK drivers having been the victims. Here are our tips to avoid road rage as an Uber driver.

Driving tips

Top tips for PCO drivers to stay safe and well

With Covid-19 cases rising in London, Uber drivers need to be careful on the roads. Follow our tips to help keep you and your rider safe.

PCN PCO driver guide

UK mobile phone driving laws: What they mean for PCO drivers

If you’re an Uber Partner or PCO driver, the rules around mobile phone use while driving is changing, please make sure to read Otto Car’s latest guide.

PCO driver guide Safety

The ultimate PCO driver guide to night time driving

As an Uber driver, you can earn well at night but there are more risks. From breaks to speeding, check out our guide for the private hire industry.

PCO driver guide Safety

Winter driving tips 2024 | How to drive safely in cold weather

EV charging

Top EV chargepoint providers in London | PCO driver guide

We’ve outlined the top chargepoint providers in London, and where they’re located. Loaded with the rates, exclusive offers and sign up info for PCO drivers.

Car reviews

Volkswagen ID.3 Life Review | PCO Car Guide

This PCO car review focuses on the Volkswagen ID3 Life. We dive into this Uber car to help Uber drivers in London understand how suitable it is for them.

Car reviews

MG5 EV Exclusive | PCO Car Guide

We review the MG5 EV in detail, to give PCO drivers an insight into how it drives and how suitable it is for Uber driving.

Electric cars PCO driver guide

Top 10 reasons for PCO drivers to switch to EV

PCO drivers might be hesitant about switching to electric, but this article outlines the top 10 reasons why now is the best time to do so.

EV charging

Charge & Coffee | The ultimate break guide

Take a break from Uber, charge up and relax with a coffee and a bite to eat. Our new charging guide for PCO drivers is available to read.

PCN

London PCN Locations for Uber Drivers | May 2021

We’ve got a newer article for you! Check out our latest PCN guide to save your hard-earned money. Here at Otto Car we’re on a mission to help PCO Drivers avoid PCNs. This challenge has been made more difficult in the last couple of months due to increased cameras, bike-lanes, and restricted routes since lockdown.

PCN

City of London PCN guide | Avoid a fine

Avoid a PCN in the City of London with Otto Car’s new guide for Uber drivers & PCO drivers. From Lime Street to Princes Street

Otto news

Protecting Our PCO Drivers | The Benefits of Telematics and Cameras

Here at Otto Car, we take safety very seriously. Whether this be through our driving assessments or our new Driver Development Programme. Over the last few years we’ve heavily invested in vehicle telematics and CCTV to make sure our family of PCO drivers are protected whilst doing the thing they love most, driving! Below is

PCO driver stories

Meet Martin | Uber driver stories

Martin has been working in the private hire industry for 9 years, including a number of years with Uber. We caught up with him to hear his story.

PCO driver stories

Meet Ranjeet | Uber driver stories

Meet Ranjeet, an Uber driver on Rent 2 Buy +. We talked about the Uber Clean Air Plan, Covid-19 and much more in our latest PCO driver story.

Safety The Otto Team

Driving up standards with Rocky | Driver development

We help Uber Drivers and PCO drivers improve their driving standards through our Driver Development programme.

PCO driver stories

Meet Khalid | A PCO car ownership story

We caught up with Khalid who recently became a PCO car owner after completing Rent 2 Buy. We learn about his story from Pakistan to London.

EV charging

Developing a charging strategy | A step-by-step guide for PCO drivers

London’s PCO drivers are turning towards EVs in large numbers. It’s important to have a charging strategy ready for your new Uber car.

PCO driver guide

An essential guide to earning more with PCO plug-In hybrids

A full guide for PCO drivers thinking of using a plug-in hybrid as their next Uber car, such as the Toyota Prius.

Driving tips

Keep healthy as a PCO driver

When driving with Uber as a PCO driver, health might take a backseat. Join us and Gig Guy London as we go through important health tips.

PCO driver guide

Otto Car’s driver assessment – What’s it all about?

As a reputable PCO car rental company, it’s our duty to make sure we’re putting safe drivers into our cars with our driver assessment.

PCO driver guide

How to reapply for your PCO licence

Reapply for your PCO licence in London and avoid time spent off the road. From applying for your DBS to document uploads, you’re covered.

PCO driver stories

Meet Anita | July’s Safe Driver of the Month

Here at Otto Car, we value safety and that’s why we’ve introduced our safe driver of the month award for our family of PCO drivers in London.

PCN

London’s PCN hotspots

We’ve got a newer article for you! Check out our latest PCN guide to save your hard-earned money. This week we’ve been focusing on areas where our PCO drivers are picking up tickets consistently. Using years worth of data to spot trends and the keen eye of the Otto team, we’ve been digging deep to

PCO driver stories

It pays to drive safe with Otto Car | Meet Rogerio

Safety is extremely important here at Otto Car. That’s why we’ve been awarding our safest driver a special award.

PCO driver stories

Always part of the family | Meet Baz

Every PCO driver has a different story. Meet Baz, who started his PCO journey renting and used his earnings to open a restaurant.

Electric cars

Will an electric PCO car work for me?

From driveways to EV range, we give Uber drivers the information they need before switching to an electric PCO car on Rent 2 Buy.

PCN

PCO road rules | Drive smart as an Uber driver

We’ve found our top 10 PCNs, so PCO drivers and Uber drivers like you can avoid the fines and save more money.

Driving tips

Top tips for driving on black ice

Avoid an accident with your PCO car with our top tips for driving on black ice in winter. Take extra care as an Uber driver in London.

Driving tips Safety

Driving in winter | Top PCO safety tips

Get ready for winter with our winter guide for PCO drivers & Uber Drivers in London. From black ice to fog, you’re covered.

PCO driver guide

Insurance renewal documentation | How to upload to Uber

Uploading new PCO insurance with Uber and other private hire operators can be difficult, especially on mobile. Read our latest article.

PCO driver guide

What to do if you get into an accident

If you’re involved in a traffic accident while driving Uber, here’s what you need to do as a private hire driver in London with Otto Car.

Safety

Safe driving guidelines for PCO drivers

Read our safety tips for Uber driving as a PCO driver in London. Follow these rules to keep you and your passengers safe at all times.

PCN

London Bank Junction access

TfL have recently announced that London’s Bank Junction is not accessible for certain vehicles at certain times.

PCN

Avoiding car park PCN’s

Don’t get caught out as an Uber Driver, make sure you avoid car parking fines from such as Euro Car Parks and National Car Parks.

Safety

Chris’s checks for PCO drivers

Safety is the number one priority here. Keep yourself, passengers and the public safe with our driving instructor’s top Uber driving tips.

PCN

AJ’s top PCN hotspots in London

As an Uber Driver, you want to avoid charges at all spots. Read our PCO guide to avoid Transport for London PCNs.

PCO driver guide

Ash’s top tips for PCO drivers

Get the best out of your PCO car with our guide specifically for private hire drivers with Uber in London.

PCO driver guide

3 simple steps if you’ve had an accident

If you’re involved in a traffic accident while driving Uber, you’ll need to follow the right steps. Read our PCO accident guide today.

PCO driver guide

Uber driver tips | How to change a tyre

We have created a simple video to guide you through the process of changing your tyre. Get back on the road and earning with Otto Car.

Driving tips

5 simple tips to keep your PCO car in good condition

Keep your PHV vehicle in check with our top tips for your PCO car. Here are some small things you can do to maintain your Uber car.

Driving tips

Drive smart | Shoyab’s top tips for driving a Toyota Prius

Learn from the best in the PCO business as Shoyab takes you through his top tips for driving a Toyota Prius as an Uber driver.

Driving tips Safety

PCO driver wellbeing | How to keep fit and healthy

As a PCO driver, it’s very important to make sure you keep yourself in good condition. Follow our PCO guide to driver wellbeing.

Driving tips PCN

PCO driver tips: Avoiding fines (Part 2)

Read the second part of our guide to avoid PCNs and fines in London. We cover speed limits as well as pedestrian zones for PCO drivers.

PCO driver guide

TfL spot checks | Are you prepared?

Avoid time off the road with our TfL spot check guide. From tyres to documentation, we run through the checks needed to stay on the road.

PCO driver guide

How to upload your documentation to Uber

From the MOT to PCO insurance, we list all the necessary documents to work for Uber with our Uber Documentation Upload Guide.

Beginners guide PCO driver guide

The top 10 Uber destinations in London

Our PCO guide to London’s top Uber destinations will help you maximise income potential. Perfect for private hire drivers.

PCO driver stories

PCO driver stories | Meet Innocent

Meet Innocent,an Uber driver with years of experience in PCO. He was looking to become a car owner and we supported him through Rent 2 Buy.

Beginners guide PCO driver guide

London’s top 10 congestion hotspots

This congestion guide is perfect for PCO drivers and Uber drivers looking to keep moving and maximise income.

Driving tips PCN

PCO driver tips | Avoiding fines (Part 1)

From box junctions to bus lanes, we cover all the main pain points for PCO drivers and Uber drivers in London.

FEATURED POST

Blackwall & Silvertown Tunnel charges explained

When do the new toll charges apply?

How much will the toll fees be?

Why are there charges for these tunnels?

Helpful tips for PCO drivers

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