Glasgow Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) checker

Glasgow became the first Scottish city to start charging non-compliant drivers in its Low Emissions Zone. Use our free tool to see if you comply.

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Glasgow LEZ map and charges

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

Area of operation

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Glasgow sites at the intersection of the M8 and the River Clyde, with the High Street and Saltmarket forming the remaining boundaries. It operates around the clock, all year round.

LEZ charges and exemptions

Non-LEZ-compliant vehicles that enter Glasgow's Low Emission Zone (LEZ) will face a fine of £60. The subsequent charges will double each time they enter the zone thereafter. Cars and light goods vehicles have a maximum penalty charge notice (PCN) of £480, while buses and HGVs have a limit of £960. Motorcycles and mopeds do not have to pay.

How to pay

The easiest way to pay is online via the Glasgow City Council website. For more information about the Low Emissions Zone payments and exemptions, you can check Scotland's Low Emissions Zone page.

What is the Glasgow Low Emissions Zone (LEZ)?

How Glasgow's LEZ works

Phase one of Glasgow's LEZ rolled out in 2018 with bus-only emissions regulations. In June 2023, phase two began, targeting passenger cars, vans and commercial vehicles that don't need Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel) for entering the zone. When drivers cross the boundary into the city centre or drive within the area, one of 100+ cameras throughout will capture their number plate. Using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology, the cameras will then compare these to a database of registered vehicles.

Those who do not meet the emissions standards will be fined. Fines start at £60 and double for each offence up to £480 (private cars) or £960 (large commercial vehicles). If you pay your £60 fine within 14 days, you will only owe £30. The zone operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with no exceptions. Days run from midnight to midnight, so driving at night on one day and remaining in the zone past 12:00 a.m. when the date changes will net you a £60 and £120 charge (for two separate days).

Vehicles included in Glasgow's LEZ

Glasgow's Low Emissions Zone is among the most aggressive attacks on vehicle emissions in the world. It includes private hire vehicles, taxis, private cars, vans, light goods vehicles (LGVs), heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), buses and coaches. It excludes mopeds and motorcycles. It also excludes many nationally exempt categories, including Showman's vehicles, emergency services vehicles, military vehicles and specialist construction/agricultural vehicles. Disabled tax class/disabled tax class passenger vehicles are also exempt.

Non-compliant local residents have a one-year grace period (until 1 June 2024) to switch to a compliant vehicle. Until then, they won't face the LEZ charge when driving in Glasgow's city centre. If you're a nonresident but feel as though your situation is exceptional, you can apply for the same grace period with Glasgow City Council. Since 2006, petrol vehicles have almost always met Euro 4 standards, while diesel engines have had to meet Euro 6 standards since 2016. Still, it's best to double-check using our tool.

Benefits of using our Glasgow LEZ compliance checker

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

Check Glasgow LEZ compliance in real time

Since you can check your compliance status in real time, there's no reason not to! Our tool is free to use and only requires you to enter your registration number. Our system will run the registration against the most recent DVLA records, meaning that you'll know immediately if your vehicle is compliant or not. If it is, you know you don't have to worry (for now). If it isn't, you can start thinking about what's next.

Keep up with regulatory changes and updates

Cities across Scotland and the rest of the UK have only taken air pollution more seriously as time has gone on. The Glasgow LEZ we see today is (probably) not the same as it will be in five years. If you have a vehicle that isn't compliant yet, consistently monitoring your compliance helps you stay informed and avoid future fines. This is especially important if you're a business owner who operates within or delivers to Glasgow's city centre.

Plan your route in advance

It's wise to check your compliance before visiting Glasgow. And if you're a local resident, knowing your vehicle's compliance status could be the difference between walking/cycling somewhere and taking your car. You probably can't get up and buy a new car right this second, and that's what route planning is for. In the meantime, you could try carpooling, public transport, walking or cycling.

Plan expenses for business and personal needs

If you're an individual concerned about Glasgow's LEZ, a car is a big investment. If you're a business owner operating a fleet of commercial vehicles within the city, it's an even bigger one. Using our tool to check Glasgow LEZ compliance is the first step to budgeting for the immediate cost of PCNs and the future cost of upgrading your vehicle(s).

Simple interface for users

No matter who you are or your technical abilities, our Low Emissions Zone compliance checker couldn't be easier to use. All you have to do is enter your registration number in our search bar and click 'check compliance'. You'll know right away if you'll need any further action or not. Our website is also mobile-friendly, so you can check on the go from your smartphone or tablet.

Avoid penalty charge notices (PCNs)

If you're unaware of your compliance status, you may unknowingly enter the Low Emissions Zone and be hit with a PCN. If you do that just 4 times, you're looking at £900 in fines. And if you're a business owner whom Glasgow's LEZ affects, those massive fines scale across your entire organisation. PCNs are not sustainable for you, your business or the environment. So, using our free checker tool could literally save you thousands down the line.

Which cars are exempt from Glasgow's LEZ charges?

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

LEZ-compliant petrol cars

Must meet Euro 4 emissions standards.
Typically, manufactured after 2006.

LEZ-compliant diesel cars

Must meet Euro 6 emissions standards.
Typically, manufactured after September 2015.

LEZ-compliant LGVs and HGVs

LGVs: Petrol (Euro 4), Diesel (Euro 6)
HGVs: Euro 6 minimum

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.

London Low Emission Zone

Edinburgh Low Emission Zone

Aberdeen Low Emission Zone

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Common FAQs about the Glasgow Low Emissions Zone

Learn about how our checker works and how to comply with Glasgow's LEZ regulations.

Should I pay for the Low Emissions Zone in Glasgow?

Once you've entered the Low Emissions Zone, you're on the hook for daily charges unless you qualify for exemption or are using a compliant vehicle. The only time you shouldn't pay a penalty charge notice you've received is when you are wrongfully charged. In those cases, you'll have to appeal the charge here.

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

All private passenger vehicles, private hire vehicles, taxis, buses, minibuses, LGVs, coaches and HGVs must pay the daily charge. Motorcycles, mopeds and specific types of special vehicles are exempt.
Exemptions include agricultural, military, disabled passenger vehicles, emergency vehicles, and registered Showman's and historic vehicles. Residents are also eligible for a 1-year grace period to comply, as long as they have registered for the area's resident scheme.

Can I avoid the Low Emissions Zone in Glasgow?

You can avoid Glasgow's Low Emissions Zone simply by driving around it or parking outside it. However, if you need or want to enter the zone using your non-compliant vehicle, you will have to pay the daily charge unless your vehicle is exempt or compliant. Our compliance checker helps you avoid unnecessary charges by giving you real-time information on your vehicle's status.

Can I drive in the Low Emissions Zone in Glasgow?

There's nothing physically stopping you from driving into the zone. No vehicles are technically off-limits. However, if your vehicle doesn't meet the minimum emissions standards set by the Low Emissions Zone, you will have to pay a daily charge or face penalty fines. It's important to be aware of your compliance status before entering the zone.

How do I know if my car is low-emissions in Glasgow?

The easiest way to know if your car is low-emissions (from a LEZ standpoint) is to use our online LEZ compliance checker. If you comply, that means you meet Euro 4 (or Euro 6, depending on your vehicle) emissions standards. This is the standard way to gauge your vehicle's overall carbon footprint.

If you want to know your exact emissions levels, you can find out by contacting the manufacturer. During an MOT test, your garage will also test your emissions for you as part of the protocol.

What happens if you go through the Low Emissions Zone in Glasgow?

If you go through Glasgow's Low Emissions Zone with a compliant car, nothing happens. If, however, your vehicle doesn't meet its respective Euro standard, you will receive a penalty charge notice (£60 for first-time offences). These charges are cumulative, which means they increase with each consecutive offence.

How long does the Low Emissions Zone last in Glasgow?

The Low Emissions Zone in Glasgow is permanent, and it lasts from midnight to midnight every day of the year. As time goes on, more vehicles will be required to meet stricter emissions standards to remain compliant. This is part of the city's ongoing efforts to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.

How do I know if I drove into the Low Emissions Zone in Glasgow?

Camera systems are installed all around Glasgow's Low Emissions Zone, with over 100 cameras capturing licence plate numbers of both entering and exiting vehicles. These cameras operate 24/7, helping enforcement teams identify non-compliant vehicles. If you've driven into the LEZ, these cameras would have recorded your vehicle's entry, travel within the zone and exit.

Next to these cameras, you'll notice signs indicating which types of vehicles are exempt from the daily charges. It's important to pay attention to these signs and plan your route accordingly, or use our checker tool before entering the zone for accurate information on your vehicle's compliance status.

If you navigate using an app like Google/Apple Maps or Waze, those tools will tell you as well.

Is the Low Emissions Zone only for diesel cars in Glasgow?

Glasgow's LEZ applies to every individual and business owner except for a select few vehicle types. Diesel cars are certainly included, but so are petrol vehicles. All diesel vehicles must meet the Euro 6 emissions standards to be compliant. Except for buses, coaches and HGVs (which must also meet Euro 6 standards), petrol vehicles have to meet Euro 4 standards.

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

The only ways to avoid the Glasgow Low Emissions Zone penalty charge are exemption and compliance.

Some vehicles are automatically exempt from all of Scotland's Low Emissions Zones. For local residents and those in special situations, they'll have to apply for exemption on the city council's website.

If your car isn't exempt, the only way to avoid a fine is to meet Glasgow's emissions standards. You can either upgrade your vehicle or retrofit your current one to meet emissions standards. Typically, the former is the better option economically.

How can I contact Low Emission Zone Support in Glasgow?

Glasgow Low Emission Zone enquiries can be directed to LEZ@glasgow.gov.uk. For any enquiries related to the Glasgow City Council LEZ and payments, you can contact the Enquiry and Payment Line at 01412 871072. Press Option 1 for payment inquiries and Option 2 for all other enquiries.