Frequently asked questions
Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are a form of Vehicle Access Regulation Scheme which set minimum emission standards for access to a defined area to improve air quality by allowing access to only the cleanest vehicles, particularly at locations where there is public exposure.
Low Emission Zones (LEZs) were introduced on 31 May 2022 in Scotland’s four biggest cities (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow). Phase 1 of Glasgow’s LEZ (buses only) was introduced on 31 December 2018.
Local grace periods now apply until enforcement begins.
- In Glasgow, the LEZ already applies to buses. For other vehicle types, enforcement will start on 1 June 2023 (1 June 2024 for residents within the zone)
- Dundee will start enforcement on 30 May 2024
- Aberdeen will start enforcement on 1 June 2024
- Edinburgh will start enforcement on 1 June 2024
Currently, in Scotland there are no further LEZs planned.
The aim of LEZs is not to ban all vehicles, but rather to stop the most polluting from entering the zone, to protect public health and to encourage the switch to compliant vehicles. The minimum emission standards (Euro category) for Scottish Low Emission Zones (LEZs) is Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans (generally vehicles registered from September 2015) and Euro 4 for petrol cars and vans (generally vehicles registered from 2006*).
*These dates are only indicative - please check with your vehicle manual or the manufacturer to confirm.
Whilst the Scottish Government provides the framework for LEZs in Scotland (in the form of the LEZ element of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 and associated Regulations and Guidance), each city is responsible for designing and implementing LEZs for their individual city.
More information on each city specific LEZ is available on local authority websites
Find out more about your local LEZ here.
LEZs focus on improving air quality by reducing concentrations of the harmful pollutants Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter (PM). They contribute towards meeting the emission reduction targets set out in Part 1 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
Whilst reducing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions is important to help address climate change, to improve air quality we need to focus specifically on NO2 and PM pollutants. This is why LEZ vehicle emission standards (Euro categories) are driven by criteria that focus upon these specific gases.
It is important we are able to make travel choices that minimise the long-term impacts on our climate and the wellbeing of future generations. We face a global climate emergency. Scotland must transition to a net-zero emissions economy for the benefit of our environment, our people and our future prosperity.
Glasgow City Council introduced Scotland’s first LEZ in 2018 which applied to buses only. Phase 2 of the Glasgow LEZ and the LEZs in Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh, were introduced on 31 May 2022 and applied to all vehicles.
Local grace periods now apply until enforcement begins.
Local authorities are in the process of installing roadside signage to let drivers know when they are entering a Low Emission Zone. Positioning of signs will take account of the need for those who do not wish to enter the zone to take an alternative route and any required road closures will be accounted for.
Find out more about the plans for each city here.
Low Emission Zones operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year. Local authorities will have the flexibility to set operational hours based on the specific requirements of each zone, where appropriate.
Yes – the minimum emission standards (Euro category) for Scottish LEZs will be Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans (generally vehicles registered from September 2015) and Euro 4 for petrol cars and vans (generally vehicles registered from 2006*).
*These dates are only indicative - please check with your vehicle manual or the manufacturer to confirm.
As with the vast majority of Low Emission Zones across Europe, grace periods are a sensible measure as they allow car and fleet owners time to adopt or upgrade their vehicles before the start of any LEZ enforcement.
Local grace periods now apply until enforcement begins.
- In Glasgow, the LEZ already applies to buses. For other vehicle types, enforcement will start on 1 June 2023 (1 June 2024 for residents within the zone)
- Dundee will start enforcement on 30 May 2024
- Aberdeen will start enforcement on 1 June 2024
- Edinburgh will start enforcement on 1 June 2024
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be placed throughout the zone, and not just at entry and exit points. It is up to the local authority introducing the LEZ to determine the best location(s) of camera(s) for effective enforcement.
ANPR camera-based solutions have been used for many years across the UK to enforce traffic regulations for parking and bus lanes. Following the development of Clean Air Zones (CAZ) in England and the Low and Ultra Low Emission Zones (LEZ, ULEZ) in London, these technical solutions – along with matters of good practice – have been advanced to provide the additional functionality required to implement and operate these zones in a robust, secure and effective manner.
No – the intention is that Low Emission Zones will use a decriminalised penalty-based regime to help incentivise compliance from people to help improve air quality.
Yes, there are options available for some vehicles (such as buses and hackney black cab taxis) to be retrofitted with technology to let them be compliant. More information about funding can be found here.
Retrofitting is the use of technologies that can help older vehicles meet emission limits for both air pollutants and greenhouse gases so that the vehicle can adhere to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particle matter (PM) emissions. This effectively makes the vehicle become Euro 6/VI standard compliant.
The Bus Emission Abatement Retrofit (BEAR) Programme will help bus operators reduce nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) emissions of existing vehicles through the installation of accredited retrofit technology. More information about bus retrofitting can be found here.
Low Emission Zones (LEZs) don’t relate to car tax band or the (Carbon Dioxide) CO2 emissions of your vehicle. LEZs aim to stop the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) problem we have in our towns and cities and protect public health by improving air quality. The combustion of diesel fuel in diesel engines has traditionally produced far higher levels of NO2 than petrol engines. That is why a petrol vehicle registered after 2006 will likely be compliant, whereas only diesel cars/vans registered after 2016 are likely to be compliant.
The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 provides the legislation to enable the creation and civil enforcement of Low Emission Zones. The national standards for Low Emission Zones were set in regulations published in May 2021. Local authorities used these regulations to design their own Low Emission Zone based on their specific, local requirements. Penalty charges are set nationally.
The initial penalty charge for all non-compliant vehicles is set at £60, reduced by 50% if it is paid within 14 days.
A surcharge is also proposed whereby the penalty amount doubles with each subsequent breach of the rules detected in the same LEZ. The penalty charges are capped at £480 for cars and light goods vehicles and £960 for buses and HGVs.
Where there are no further breaches of the rules detected within the 90 days following a previous violation, the surcharge rate is reset to the base tier of charge i.e. £60.
The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 states that penalties will be used to support the air quality objectives of the Low Emission Zones.
We know that LEZs must interact with a host of other transport polices to be successful. We also know that ongoing and clear communications are critical to advise members of the public what LEZs mean for them.
Alongside this national website, there is a national LEZ communications plan which will continue to drive targeted marketing activities to help raise awareness of LEZs to members of the public and stakeholders.
Cities introducing LEZs will continue to carry out public information campaigns before the start of any LEZ enforcement.
The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the move towards cleaner, low carbon modes of transport. £5 million funding has been made available in 2022/23, after £3.7 million was available in 2021/22 through the Low Emission Zone Support Fund which is open to individuals and micro-businesses within 20km of an LEZ who need a little extra help to prepare for when LEZs are enforced in 2023 and 2024.
Grants are available to support the cost of retrofitting engines or exhausts on taxis, vans and HGVs to Euro 6/VI standard in order to help protect public health and meet LEZ standards or incentivise the disposal of non-compliant vehicles.
Find out more about the Support Fund for households
Find out more about the Support Fund for micro-businesses
It is expected that most vehicles in Scotland will comply with the relevant vehicle emission standards by the time that LEZ enforcement is introduced.
£5 million funding has been made available in 2022/23 through the Low Emission Zone Support Fund which is open to individuals and micro-businesses within 20km of an LEZ who need a little extra help to prepare for when LEZs are enforced in 2023 and 2024.
Grants are available to support the cost of retrofitting engines or exhausts on taxis, vans and HGVs to Euro 6/VI standard in order to help protect public health and meet LEZ standards or incentivise the disposal of non-compliant vehicles.
Individuals, households and microbusinesses can also apply for grants which can be used to replace a non-LEZ compliant vehicle or to help them pay for an alternative mode of transport such as an e-cargo bike. More information on funding can be found here.
Transport Scotland’s National Transport Strategy, published in February 2020, sets out a compelling vision for the kind of transport system we all want for Scotland over the next 20 years, one that protects our climate and improves lives.
Our transport system still needs to deliver the National Transport Strategy vision albeit in the new post-pandemic context. The Strategy explicitly states the need to manage transport demand and that future transport investment decisions will be made in line with sustainable travel and sustainable investment goals, prioritising walking, wheeling, cycling and use of public and shared transport options in preference to single occupancy private car use. This will help support a reduction in unsustainable travel.
Some categories of vehicles will be exempt from Low Emission Zone requirements. These include:
- Vehicles for disabled persons (including blue badge holders)
- Police vehicles
- Ambulance and emergency vehicles
- Scottish Fire and Rescue
- Her Majesty’s Coastguard
- Military vehicles
- Historic vehicles
- Showman’s vehicles
A vehicle manufactured or registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994, for the first time at least 30 years ago. The vehicle is no longer in production and has not undergone substantial changes in the technical characteristics of its main components.
Guidance on the definition of “substantial changes” can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria/historic-classic-vehicles-mot-exemption-criteria
We want local LEZs to be as ambitious as possible. All vehicles, unless otherwise exempt, will be required to meet the emission standards to drive within a LEZ.
Motorbikes and mopeds are not included in the current LEZ schemes and no restrictions will apply.
If the agricultural/grounds-maintenance vehicles were being driven on public roads, then yes, they would need to meet LEZ emission requirements (if they were to enter a LEZ). These are Euro 4 for petrol cars and vans (generally vehicles registered from 2006) and Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans (generally vehicles registered from September 2015*).
However, LEZs do not operate on private roads or land, therefore agricultural/grounds maintenance vehicles can operate on private roads/land without restriction.
Administration and enforcement of LEZs is conducted by local authorities. If you have any further questions regarding a specific LEZ, please visit the appropriate local authority site for more information – (LINK to local authority page)
*These dates are only indicative - please check with your vehicle manual or the manufacturer to confirm.
No, LEZs do not apply to Transport Refrigeration Units. A research project is underway in Scotland to measure and develop an emissions test protocol for the units.
However, LEZ emission standards do apply to vehicles which are fitted with a Transport Refrigeration Unit. Generally, the following vehicles can enter the zone:
- Euro 4 for petrol vans (generally vehicles registered from 2006*)
- Euro 6 for diesel vans (generally vehicles registered from September 2015*)
- Euro VI for HGVs (generally vehicles registered from January 2013*)
*These dates are only indicative - please check with your vehicle manual or the manufacturer to confirm.
The findings of the latest project report about Transport Refrigeration Units can be accessed here: Air quality | Technical Reports and Guidance | Transport Scotland
No, electric vehicles will not be subject to any restrictions.
Low Emission Zone entry will be based on proposed Euro emission engine classification standards.
A basic vehicle checker is available here.
The age of a vehicle can be used as a guide to the corresponding Euro classification:
- Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans (generally vehicles registered from September 2015)
- Euro 4 for petrol cars and vans (generally vehicles registered from 2006)
- Euro VI for buses, coaches and HGVs (generally vehicles registered from January 2013*
*These dates are only indicative - please check to confirm with your vehicle manual or the manufacturer.
Vehicle age can be used as a guide. For some vehicles the Euro standard information is on the inside of the (passenger or driver) door frame. For newer vehicles, the Euro emission standard information may be listed on the registration documents. In the UK, this is in the V5C (V5C registration certificate, or log book in section D.2). However, if you are in any doubt, the vehicle manufacturer will be able to provide the information to you.
Visit our vehicle checker here which will help advise you whether your vehicle will be compliant.
Each local authority has set a grace period (lead-in time) to allow those wishing to drive within the Low Emission Zone an opportunity to upgrade their vehicle(s) to a less polluting model (either by replacing it or having it modified) before penalty charges are applied. An additional grace period may also be available to those who live within a Low Emission Zone.
Local grace periods now apply until enforcement begins.
- In Glasgow, the LEZ already applies to buses. For other vehicle types, enforcement will start on 1 June 2023 (1 June 2024 for residents within the zone)
- Dundee will start enforcement on 30 May 2024
- Aberdeen will start enforcement on 1 June 2024
- Edinburgh will start enforcement on 1 June 2024
LEZs will encourage people to make the switch to using more sustainable methods of transport and consider if using their car to go into the city is really necessary or whether using public transport is an option, as all four cities have extensive public transport networks. LEZs will also encourage people to think about more active travel such as walking, wheeling and cycling as alternatives to taking the car.
If you are within the city, can you get about without taking the car? If making a longer journey, could you drive to a station or park in the outskirts of the city and then make use of public transport, or walk, wheel or cycle?
LEZs promote the need to change the way we travel and encourage people to change their habits. This will help Scotland meet its air quality objectives and be net zero by 2045.
During summer 2021, people across Scotland had the opportunity to comment on the latest proposals for Scotland’s Low Emission Zones in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow as each local authority was running their public consultation.
Details can be found on the relevant local Low Emission Zones page of this website:
Low Emission Zones are designed to protect public health by improving air quality through limiting the use of the most polluting vehicles within the zone. Low Emission Zones will also encourage people to consider how they travel in the cities, with the potential for more people to choose public transport or active travel instead of driving.
The Scottish Government’s proposal is to use the existing network of air quality sensors and diffusion tubes, in tandem with the National Modelling Framework (NMF) model data points, to evaluate the effectiveness of Low Emission Zones.