Check if your car is LEZ-compliant

Low Emissions Zones (LEZs) have popped up in a few cities across the UK to improve air quality. To avoid charges, you'll want to know if your vehicle is LEZ-compliant before driving into one.

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Low Emissions Zones (LEZ) by city

See the Low Emissions Zone boundary in your area.

What is the Low Emissions Zone (CAZ)?

How LEZ works

A Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) is a designated area where high-polluting vehicles are subject to charges upon entry or while driving within. These zones are commonly implemented in city centres, where traffic congestion and vehicle pollution is at its highest. The UK introduced its first and largest Low Emissions Zone in 2008, covering all of Greater London. Clean air initiatives have since spanned to over a dozen UK cities. However, this initiative is not limited to the UK alone; LEZs can be found worldwide, including in Beijing, Berlin, and Oslo.

In the UK, entering or driving within a Low Emissions Zone without meeting the required emissions standards results in penalties of £60 to £480+ per day. This depends on the type of vehicle you drive, which city's zone you enter and how often you enter the zone with a non-compliant car. These charges are meant to incentivize drivers to switch to cleaner, low-emission vehicles or alternative modes of transportation. And, of course, to protect the public from harmful pollutants and health risks.

LEZ differs from city to city

Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London are the only cities in the UK which specifically have a 'LEZ'. Eight more have a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) around their city centres (a word that's often used interchangeably with LEZ). A few cities have a Zero Emissions Zone (ZEZ), which is the most restrictive of all. Only electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are allowed in a ZEZ without paying a charge. Even among the four LEZs in the UK, regulations, penalties and exemptions differ.

London's LEZ is the most well-known. The city already uses its Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) to regulate passenger vehicles, so the LEZ charge (£100-£300/day) only applies to heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) weighing over 3.5 tonnes, such as lorries and buses. Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow's LEZ charges (which start at £60) apply to all non-compliant vehicles and increase every time you enter the zone (up to £480). London's ULEZ and LEZ charges are fixed fees per day. In any case, LEZ charges are expensive for individual drivers and business owners, so it's worth checking compliance before travelling.

The benefits of using our online LEZ checker

Knowing if LEZ charges apply saves you or your business from expensive penalties.

Check vehicle compliance in real-time

Our free online LEZ compliance checker checks your number plate and registration against the latest LEZ regulations in real time. You may be unaware of your vehicle's Euro emissions standard, whether it meets it or if new rules have been introduced. This is especially important as Euro emissions standards are often tightened (hence why we're at Euro 6). By using checking now and periodically, you never have to worry about missing updates to LEZ compliance.

Detailed vehicle compliance information

Even if you know what Euro standard your vehicle needs to meet, you won't know the numbers off by heart. The Euro standard is a measure of the pollutant emissions from exhausts in cars, vans and trucks. Different vehicles have different standards to meet and each city approaches LEZ slightly differently. Since our tool runs your vehicle's info against the latest records, you can be confident that it's accurate and reliable.

Stay informed as LEZ zones pop up and change

The UK has only become more adamant about reducing air pollution and restricting vehicle access in recent years. More cities are adopting Clean Air Zones (CAZs) or pollution charges of some sort — the PCNs for which range from £8 to £160+. If you're a business owner operating a large fleet, you might spend thousands of pounds per day for non-compliance. Whether LEZ is in your city or not, it probably will be. That's where our online checker comes in.

Plan your trip beforehand

LEZ charges are not small amounts. And they compound over time. If your vehicle isn't LEZ-compliant, you'll probably want to avoid these areas altogether until you can switch to a newer, more efficient vehicle. By checking compliance before you travel, our tool lets you plan an alternative route or arrange a compliant form of transportation. In the long run, this can save you considerable money and hassle.

Fast and easy to use

The best thing about using our tool to check LEZ compliance is there's no reason not to. It only takes a few clicks, and you'll have your results in seconds. Whether you're a business owner, driver or just curious about LEZ regulations in your area, our tool makes it simple to stay informed and avoid costly penalties. And, with such an easy-to-use interface, all the information is presented in an understandable way.

Avoid expensive LEZ charges

Your first penalty of £60 might not empty your wallet. But, the fact that it doubles until it reaches £480 means costs for driving a non-compliant vehicle will eventually be astronomical. Cut your losses early by using our checker, knowing when you need to switch to a compliant vehicle or find an alternative mode of transportation and saving yourself from significant fines that only grow with time.

Which cars are exempt from LEZ charges?

Different types of vehicles have different rules when it comes to LEZ charges.

LEZ-compliant petrol cars

Meets Euro 4 emissions standards (2006 or later).
Includes minibuses, taxis and private hire vehicles.

LEZ-compliant diesel cars

Meets Euro 6 emissions standards (2015 or later).
Includes minibuses, taxis and private hire vehicles.

Coaches, buses and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)

Must meet Euro 6 emissions standards.
Generally, registered after September 2015.

Ultra low emissions vehicles (ULEVs)

Automatically compliant.
Older hybrids — must meet Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel).

Check other low emissions zones

Live elsewhere? See what emissions zones and regulations affect your city.

CAZ checker

Check Clean Air Zone compliance.

Check CAZ now

ULEZ checker

Check Ultra-Low Emissions Zone compliance.

Check ULEZ now

ZEZ checker

Check Zero Emissions Zone compliance.

Check ZEZ now

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Common Low Emission Zone FAQs

Learn how our checker works and how to comply with LEZ.

Which UK cities have Low Emissions Zones?

Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London have Low Emissions Zones (LEZ). However, eight more cities (Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Sheffield) have Clean Air Zones, which is a term sometimes used interchangeably with LEZ.

Should I pay the Low Emissions Zone charge?

If you don't pay your LEZ charge, you will face increased fines after a 28-day period. There is, however, a benefit to paying within the first 14 days. If you pay within two weeks of receiving your fine, it will be halved. So, if you face a fine of £60, you will only need to pay £30.

Which cars have to pay to drive in Low Emissions Zones?

The good news is Low Emissions Zones target older, less efficient vehicles. In every city, around registered vehicles are already compliant. Drivers who have to pay are those driving a diesel car that doesn't meet Euro 6 standards, an HGV that doesn't meet Euro 6 standards or a petrol vehicle that doesn't meet Euro 4 standards.

Can I avoid a Low Emissions Zone?

You can avoid a Low Emissions Zone by parking outside of it and using alternative forms of transportation to get into the city centre. However, this may not be a sustainable or feasible solution for everyone. That's why it's essential to check compliance and plan ahead if you know you'll need to enter an LEZ zone. To do so, use our free online tool regularly to stay on top of LEZ regulations and avoid costly fines.

Can I drive in a Low Emissions Zone?

Low Emissions Zones don't prohibit anyone from entering per se. But you will need to pay a charge or have a compliant vehicle when you enter or drive within one. If you are unsure about your vehicle's compliance, use our online tool to check before making the trip.

How do I know if my car meets low emissions standards?

The easiest way to know if your car meets low emissions standards is to check its Euro emission standard. You can do this by finding the vehicle's registration certificate or by using our free online LEZ compliance checker tool. It will automatically compare your vehicle's information against the latest records and let you know if it meets the requirements for entering an LEZ zone.

What happens if you go through a Low Emissions Zone?

When you enter or drive within a Low Emissions Zone, cameras placed throughout the city centre will automatically scan your vehicle's registration number using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. If your vehicle is not compliant with the LEZ standards, you will be issued a fine. This fine increases if you don't pay within 28 days and halves if you pay within 14.

How long does the Low Emissions Zone last?

The Low Emissions Zone lasts 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. It resets at midnight, so if you enter before midnight and stay past midnight, you will need to pay for two days of charges (even if you only drove around for a few hours. This is important to remember because charges increase with each day you drive within a LEZ.

How do I know if I drove into a Low Emissions Zone?

Aside from the fine you receive, you will know you drive into a LEZ by the signs posted throughout the city centre. These signs indicate when you are entering and exiting a LEZ or passing a camera. They include a photo of a camera to remind you your vehicle's registration number is being scanned.

Is the Low Emissions Zone only for diesel cars?

The LEZ applies to diesel and petrol cars. If your petrol car doesn't meet Euro 4 emissions standards, you will be liable for the LEZ charge. The only cars that the LEZ doesn't apply to are motorbikes, mopeds and scooters (although these are regulated by some other zones, such as London's ULEZ).

How do I get out of a Low Emissions Zone fine?

Once you've driven through a LEZ, you have to pay the fine. The only way to avoid a fine is to ensure your vehicle meets the LEZ standards or to change your transportation method to something that doesn't require entering a LEZ. If you believe you received the fine in error, you can dispute it with the appropriate authorities. However, this process may take time and doesn't guarantee the fine will be waived.

How can I contact Low Emission Zone Support?

Depending on your city, you will call a different number for support. Low Emissions Zones include Aberdeen (transportstrategy@aberdeencity.gov.uk), Edinburgh (low.emission.zone@edinburgh.gov.uk), Glasgow (0141 287 1072 or LEZ@glasgow.gov.uk) and London (0343 222 2222).