Edinburgh Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) checker

On 1 June 2024, Edinburgh's Low Emissions Zone went into full effect to tackle its air pollution problem. Use our tool to see if you comply.

Edinburgh LEZ map and charges

The image below shows the limits of the Edinburgh Low Emissions Zone.

Area of operation

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) covers a 1.2 square mile area surrounding Edinburgh's city centre. It stretches from Queen Street in the New Town to Melville Drive across the Meadows, and from Palmerston Place to Abbeyhill in the east. The zone does not include the streets on the boundary's perimeter.

LEZ charges and exemptions

Vehicles that do not comply with the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) regulations in Edinburgh will receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) of £60 upon entry. The fines double with each subsequent entry until they reach the upper limit. Cars and LGVs receive a maximum penalty charge notice (PCN) of £480, while buses and HGVs face up to £960. Motorcycles and mopeds are exempt from charges.

How to pay

For more information about the Low Emissions Zone payments and exemptions, you can also check Scotland's https://www.lowemissionzones.scot/ or Edinburgh's City Council website.

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What is the Edinburgh Low Emissions Zone (LEZ)?

How Edinburgh's LEZ works

Along with Aberdeen and Dundee, Scottish Ministers approved Edinburgh's Low Emissions Zone in May 2022. The LEZ scheme aims to improve air quality in Edinburgh's most congested areas by encouraging the use of cleaner vehicles. When a driver enters or drives within the LEZ, one of the 100+ cameras throughout the zone will capture and read their number plates using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology. If their car doesn't meet Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel) emissions standards, they will receive a PCN.

Like Scotland's current LEZ in Glasgow and future ones in Aberdeen and Dundee, non-compliance penalties work on a sliding scale. For first-time entrants, the charge is £60 (which reduces to £30 if they pay within 14 days). If a non-compliant vehicle re-enters the zone within 90 days of the first penalty, the second charge is double (£120). After the fourth visit (£480) for cars and LGVs or the fifth visit (£960) for HGVs, buses and coaches, each additional charge is capped at the maximum amount.

Vehicles included in Edinburgh's LEZ

Edinburgh has implemented stringent measures to combat vehicle emissions with its Low Emissions Zone. The zone covers all types of regular vehicles, including private hire vehicles, taxis, vans, private cars, LGVs, HGVs, buses and coaches. Mopeds and motorcycles are not included. Nationwide exemptions are in place for Showman's vehicles, emergency services vehicles, military vehicles, and specialized construction/agricultural vehicles. Disabled passenger and disabled tax class vehicles are also exempt from LEZ charges.

Aside from nationally-exempt vehicles, Blue Badge holders can apply for exemption online using the government's website or by contacting their call centre. Historic vehicle owners may also register for exemption if their vehicle is over 30 years old and is a model that is no longer in production. The majority of vehicles are already compliant. Most petrol vehicles manufactured after January 2006 and diesel vehicles manufactured after September 2015 should meet the necessary emissions standards to avoid charges. Of course, it's still best to check using our online tool.

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Benefits of using our Edinburgh LEZ compliance checker

Knowing if Edinburgh's LEZ charges apply to you helps you plan ahead and avoid costly fines.
1

Know your Edinburgh LEZ compliance status right away

Our online LEZ compliance checker gives you real-time feedback on whether your vehicle meets Edinburgh's Low Emissions Zone standards. Simply enter your vehicle's registration number to get instant results. Once you know, you'll either be relieved you're exempt or able to take immediate steps to ensure compliance. Since our tool is free to use, you can check as often as needed without any additional costs.
2

Stay on top of changes and updates

Like every low emissions initiative throughout the UK, Edinburgh's LEZ is entirely subject to change. Although the start date and emissions criteria will remain the same for the forseeable future, other aspects of the scheme will likely get updated. By using our tool, you'll stay informed about any changes and how they affect your compliance status. Regularly checking your vehicle's compliance means you won't be caught off guard by any new regulations or charges.
3

Plan your route to avoid the Edinburgh LEZ

You may want to avoid the LEZ charge by driving around the area or parking outside it and using public transportation to get to your destination. If you know your compliance status ahead of time, you'll know whether you need to plan an alternative route before embarking on your journey. This way, you'll save money on both charges and petrol costs while minimizing your carbon footprint.
4

Plan for business/personal expenses

LEZ charges are especially significant for non-compliant business owners. If you operate a fleet of commercial vehicles within or that pass through the LEZ, the £60-£960 fees apply to every vehicle. Even for a small fleet of 5, that's almost £5,000 per day. Using our checker to understand your compliance gives you the chance to brace yourself for the short-term costs and start planning for your future investment in more sustainable vehicles.
5

User-friendly and accessible

Our tool is designed to be easy to use so every driver can check their compliance status. Simply enter your vehicle's registration number, and you'll receive instant results on your compliance status in an easily understandable format. The website is also responsive and accessible via desktop, mobile or tablet devices, so you can check anytime from anywhere (so long as you have an internet connection!).
6

Avoid paying expensive penalty charges

Of course, one of the most significant benefits of using our tool is avoiding paying costly penalty charges. By knowing your compliance status and planning accordingly, you can ensure that you don't receive a PCN when driving within Edinburgh's LEZ. Whether your solution is to plan an alternative route or upgrade your vehicle, knowing your compliance status is the logical first step.

Which cars are exempt from Edinburgh's LEZ charges?

Different rules apply to different types of vehicles when it comes to LEZ daily charges in Edinburgh.

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LEZ-compliant petrol cars

  • Must meet Euro 4 emissions standards.
  • Typically, manufactured after 2006.
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LEZ-compliant diesel cars

  • Must meet Euro 6 emissions standards.
  • Typically, manufactured after September 2015.
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LEZ-compliant LGVs and HGVs

  • LGVs: Petrol (Euro 4), Diesel (Euro 6)
  • HGVs: Euro 6 minimum
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LEZ-compliant buses, minibuses and coaches

  • Buses: Euro 6 minimum
  • Minibuses: Petrol (Euro 4), Diesel (Euro 6)
  • Coaches: Euro 6 minimum

View other Low Emissions Zones (LEZ)

Live elsewhere? Check below for information on other Low Emissions Zones in the UK.

Check other low emissions zones

Live somewhere else? See which emissions zones and regulations affect your city.

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Common FAQs about the Edinburgh Low Emissions Zone

Learn about how our checker works and how to comply with Edinburgh's LEZ regulations.
Should I pay for the Low Emissions Zone in Edinburgh?

Once you've entered the Low Emissions Zone (LEZ), daily charges will be automatically applied to your vehicle unless it qualifies for exemption or meets the necessary emissions standards. If you were wrongfully charged, you can appeal your penalty.

To do this, you will have to provide proof of your vehicle's exemption or compliance status. This may include documentation such as a valid Blue Badge, evidence of your vehicle's emissions standards, or proof of a specific exemption you've previously applied (and been approved) for.

Which cars have to pay in the Low Emissions Zone in Edinburgh?

All petrol vehicles that do not meet the Euro 4 emissions standards and diesel vehicles that do not meet the Euro 6 emissions standards must pay a daily charge when entering Edinburgh's Low Emissions Zone. For buses, coaches and HGVs, the minimum emission standard is Euro 6.

The only vehicles exempt from Edinburgh's LEZ are those exempt from all other UK LEZs, such as historic vehicles (vehicles built before 1973), agricultural, construction and military vehicles. Additionally, residents within the LEZ who own non-compliant cars can apply for a temporary exemption until they are able to upgrade their vehicle.

Can I avoid the Low Emissions Zone in Edinburgh?

Since the Low Emissions Zone only covers Edinburgh's city centre (and not the roads around its periphery), avoiding it is entirely possible if you don't have to enter the zone. It's important to note, however, that if you live within the LEZ boundaries, you will still be subject to charges even when driving within your residential area.

If you do have to enter the Low Emissions Zone for work or personal reasons, plan accordingly by checking your vehicle's compliance status and considering alternative routes or modes of transportation. Keeping yourself informed means you can avoid paying unnecessary charges.

Can I drive in the Low Emissions Zone in Edinburgh?
There's nothing stopping you from driving in Edinburgh's Low Emissions Zone if you meet the necessary emissions standards or are exempt from charges. And, if you don't meet Euro 4/Euro 6 standards, the only thing stopping you is the penalty charge. But, these fines start at £60 and sharply increase with each additional day you enter the zone without paying.
How do I know if my car is low-emissions in Edinburgh?
Entering your vehicle's registration number in our Edinburgh LEZ compliance checker is the easiest way to know whether or not your car is low-emissions in Edinburgh. If you want to know your vehicle's exact emissions, you'll have to contact the manufacturer or take it to a garage.
What happens if you go through the Low Emissions Zone in Edinburgh?
When you enter or drive within the Low Emissions Zone in Edinburgh, cameras situated throughout the zone and around its perimeter will capture your vehicle's registration number. If your vehicle meets the necessary emissions standards or is exempt from charges, you won't have to worry about a thing. If it doesn't you'll automatically receive a PCN.
How long does the Low Emissions Zone last in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh's Low Emissions Zone lasts 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Days run from midnight to midnight. You will only receive one PCN per day if your vehicle isn't in compliance or exempt from charges. However, since the next day begins at midnight, continuing to drive in the zone overnight will result in a second PCN, even if you were only driving for a few minutes.
How do I know if I drove into the Low Emissions Zone in Edinburgh?
There aren't any physical barriers marking the boundaries of Edinburgh's Low Emissions Zone. There are, however, signs indicating when you are approaching a camera. Other than the cameras and labelled signs, you will also see the zone on Google Maps, Waze and similar navigation apps.
Is the Low Emissions Zone only for diesel cars in Edinburgh?

No, the Low Emissions Zone in Edinburgh isn't only for diesel cars. It applies to all types of vehicles, including petrol and diesel cars, buses, minibuses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles. All these vehicles must meet the LEZ standards to avoid the daily charge.

There are some exemptions. Motorcycles and mopeds, for instance, are not subject to these restrictions and can pass through the zone without having to meet specific emissions standards or pay charges.

How do I get out of the Low Emissions Zone fine in Edinburgh?

Getting out of the Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) fine in Edinburgh is feasible under certain circumstances. If you believe you've been wrongfully fined, you can file an appeal with Edinburgh City Council. You'll have to back this claim with concrete evidence, like proof of your vehicle's emission standards or documentation of a previously granted exemption.

Another way to dodge the fine is if your vehicle is exempt from the LEZ charges. For most drivers, this applies to petrol vehicles that meet Euro 4 emissions standards or diesel vehicles that meet Euro 6 standards.

It's crucial to note once you've entered the LEZ with a non-compliant vehicle, there's no way to avoid the fine. To avoid this situation, we highly recommend proactively verifying your vehicle's compliance status.

How can I contact Low Emission Zone Support in Edinburgh?
If you have any enquiries or concerns regarding Edinburgh's Low Emissions Zone, you can contact the LEZ support team by email at low.emission.zone@edinburgh.gov.uk. You can also visit Scotland's Low Emissions Zone website for more information about the LEZ in Edinburgh and other cities throughout Scotland.