Welcome to the essential guide to understanding the Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ). As part of the UK’s bold stride towards a cleaner, greener future, these zones stand as critical components in the battle against air pollution, safeguarding our cities’ atmospheres by regulating the types of vehicles that can operate within them.
Our cities are at a turning point, with clean air revolution policies being not just an option but a necessity to curb the detrimental effects of emissions. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to understand the regulations, the fines, and the exemptions, ensuring you can contribute to this pivotal environmental shift. Join us as we break down the complexities of emission zones, aiming for a cleaner air blueprint for future generations.
Before we begin, some vehicles are covered by national exemptions, these include:
- Disabled tax class or disabled passenger tax class
- Certain types of agricultural vehicles
- Historic vehicles
- Military vehicles
- Ultra-low-emission vehicles
- Vehicles retrofitted with technology accredited by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS)
Discover UK low emission zone requirements
Below, you’ll find the vehicle requirements and low and ultra-low emissions geography details listed in ascending order:
- London
- Bath
- Bradford
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Oxford
- Portsmouth
- Sheffield
- Newcastle
- Aberdeen
- Dundee
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
London
The London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was first introduced in February 2008 to reduce pollution and improve air quality by discouraging older, more polluting vehicles from entering the city centre. The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) introduced in April 2019 goes even further by imposing stricter emissions standards, incentivizing the use of cleaner, more sustainable transportation options. Are you travelling through London? Discover more here.
Low Emission Zones (LEZ)
| Affected vehicles | Fuel type | Minimum standard | Daily charge | Penalty3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large LCV/ Minibus (1,2t-3,5t) | Diesel | Euro 3 | £100 | £500 |
| HGV | Diesel | Euro VI | £300² | £500 |
| Coach/ Bus | Diesel | Euro VI | £300² | £500 |
Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ)
| Affected vehicles | Fuel type | Minimum standard | Daily charge | Penalty3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | Petrol/ Diesel | Euro 3 | £12.50 | £160 |
| Car/ LCV | Petrol | Euro 4 | £12.50 | £160 |
| Car/ LCV | Diesel | Euro 6 | £12.50 | £160 |
| Large LCV (1,2t-3,5t) | Petrol | Euro 4 | £12.50 | N/A |
| Large LCV (1,2t-3,5t) | Diesel | Euro 6 | £12.50 | N/A |
| Minibuses | Petrol | Euro 4 | £12.50 | £180 |
| Minibuses | Diesel | Euro 6 | £12.50 | £180 |
