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Heathrow drop off: How to pay the charge 2023
As a private hire driver, the fewer fiTnes or Parking Charge Notice (PCN) you get, the more money you save.
The London Heathrow Airport terminal drop off charge is one of the most ticketed spots among our family of PCO drivers.
In order to help Uber drivers maximise their income, the Otto Team has put together a comprehensive guide to this terminal drop off charge.
From the location of the drop off areas, payment methods to other free drop off options, this article covers everything you need to know about the charge.
▶️ In addition to the Heathrow terminal, the London Gatwick Airport also has a terminal drop off charge. Read more here
What is the Heathrow drop off charge?
Introduced in November 2021, the Heathrow Airport terminal drop off charge is a £5 fee that applies to all vehicles dropping off passengers at the London Heathrow terminal forecourts, the passenger drop off areas located in front of the terminal buildings.
The terminal drop off charge is enforced via Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Please note that there are no barriers, meaning that you will incur a charge once you enter the drop off zone.
▶️ Please be reminded that drivers of non-compliant vehicles using Heathrow’s Terminal Drop Off areas will also have to pay a £12.50 daily charge for ULEZ.
How to pay the Heathrow drop off charge?
You can pay in advance, on the day you drop off, or by midnight the next day.
Please note that the charge cannot be paid at an airport ticket machine or in the terminal drop off zones. It is only payable online, via an automated telephone service, or via autopay.
To register your PCO car with Heathrow, visit the airport terminal’s page to create a personal account, then you’ll be able to set up auto pay.
If you enter a drop off area a second time, you will need to pay the charge again and every time after that.
What if I fail to pay the Heathrow drop off charge?
If you don’t pay for the Heathrow drop off charge by midnight the next day, you will receive an £80 PCN, which will be reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days. Visit this link to pay a PCN online.
▶️ The Otto Team would like to remind you that we will not register your PCO car with the Heathrow Airport on your behalf. This is your responsibility. If you do airport jobs regularly, please set up an Auto Pay account to avoid unnecessary fines.
Are there any free drop off areas?
According to the Heathrow terminal, free drop offs are available at the Long Stay terminal car parks, where passengers can take a free bus transfer to the terminals. Find out more about Heathrow’s long stay car park here.
Do private hire vehicles have discounts?
Unfortunately not. Private hire vehicles (PHVs) don’t have a 100% discount from the terminal drop off charge. As a PCO driver, you need to pay the charge if you drop off in the terminal drop off zones.
▶️ For more private hire news and trends, visit our PCO Newsroom
▶️ Not sure which PCO car to choose? Try our car discovery tool to find out the car that best suits your needs.
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