Frequently asked questions
LEZs have been formally introduced to all four cities (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow) and local grace periods now apply until enforcement begins. Enforcement in Glasgow will be from 1 June 2023 (with an additional year for residents within the zone), while enforcement in Dundee will begin on 30 May 2024. Enforcement in Aberdeen and Edinburgh will begin 1 June 2024.
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 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*). You can check your vehicle here.
No. LEZs will be enforced by Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), there will be no registration facility or the option for pre-payment. When a non-compliant vehicle is detected a PCN is issued to the registered keeper of that vehicle.
The amount you pay in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) will vary according to the amount Carbon Dioxide (CO2 ) emitted by your vehicle. However, LEZs focus on improving air quality by reducing concentrations of the harmful pollutants Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter (PM).
Your vehicle will still need to meet LEZ vehicle emission standards (Euro categories). You can check your vehicle here.
The LEZ Retrofit Fund is available to microbusiness and sole traders operating within a 20km radius of Scotland’s four LEZs. Further details on the fund can be found here.
Full details on the support available and eligibility criteria can be found here.
Some categories of vehicles will be exempt from LEZ requirements. These can be found here.
There is an exemption for vehicles of historic interest, which would apply if a vehicle was manufactured or registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 for the first time at least 30 years ago, and the vehicle is no longer in production and has not been changed from its original state. You will not be required to apply for an exemption if your vehicle meets these requirements, the city’s LEZ enforcement system will automatically register vehicles of historic interest as exempt if you drive within a LEZ.
Motorbikes and mopeds are not included in the current LEZ schemes and no restrictions will apply.
No. The LEZ enforcement system currently cannot access emission standard information for foreign registered vehicles. A method of accessing emission standard information is being actively developed and will be applied as soon as available. Once available, any foreign registered vehicle will be subject to penalty charge if it does not meet the emission standard for entry to LEZs.
No, fully electric vehicles will not be subject to any restrictions. However, hybrids will still be required to meet minimum emissions standards. If you are unsure, you can check your vehicle here.
While Eco Stop/Start or exhaust fluids (such as AdBlue, Bluedef or BlueTec) may help to reduce emissions, they do not confirm a car’s compliance with LEZs. Please check your vehicle's registration here.
No. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are linked to local and national vehicle licencing databases, to monitor all vehicles driving in a LEZ. They will detect vehicles which do not comply with the emission standards.
All vehicles travelling with a Blue Badge holder are exempt from Scottish LEZ requirements. You can find further information on how to register a vehicle for an exemption here.
If your vehicle already receives a Disability Road Tax Class exemption, this will be picked up by local authority ANPR cameras and there is no need to register your vehicle – for more info click here.
Administration and enforcement of LEZs is conducted by local authorities. For any issues relating to PCNs, please contact the relevant local authority.