London LEZ map and charges
Area of operation
The zone encompasses the majority of Greater London, with slight variations to accommodate alternative routes and turning areas outside the zone. It includes Heathrow, as well as parts of the M1 and M4. The M25 is not included in London's LEZ.
LEZ daily charges and exemptions
A £100 charge applies to vans/specialist diesel vehicles (over 1.205 tonnes unladen weight up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight) or minibuses (up to 5 tonnes) that don't meet Euro 3 standards. The same £100 charge applies to HGVs and vans (over 3.5 tonnes) and buses, minibuses and coaches (over 5 tonnes) that meet Euro 4 but not Euro 6 standards. Vehicles over that 3.5/5-tonne margin owe £300 if they don't meet Euro 4.
How to pay
The easiest way to pay is online via Transport for London's 'Pay to drive in London' service. You're able to pay for up to 3 previous days at once. You can also pay ahead for today or any day up to 90 days from now. You can also register for Auto Pay.
What is the London Low Emissions Zone (LEZ)?
How London's LEZ works
Since 2008, London's Low Emissions Zone has gotten increasingly larger and stricter as Transport for London has focused more and more resources on reducing pollution and improving air quality throughout the city. The area (which now encompasses all of Greater London) is essentially a 'zone of restriction' for the largest and most polluting vehicles. When you enter or drive within London's LEZ with a vehicle that does not meet emissions standards, you will be charged a fee of £100-£300. In areas where the Congestion Charge applies, LEZ applies on top of that.
Unlike ULEZ (which doesn't operate on Christmas Day), London's Low Emissions Zone is effective 24 hours, every day of the year. Each vehicle will only be charged once per day, no matter how many times they enter the zone. Days run from midnight to midnight. This means you will receive two charges if you drive in London's LEZ before and after midnight (for example, entering the area at 11 p.m. and driving around until 2 a.m.). You have until midnight 3 days after entering to pay, or you will receive a penalty charge notice (PCN).
Vehicles included in London's LEZ
London's LEZ differs from Scotland's. As it already charges £12.50 per day for ULEZ drivers (within the same boundary as LEZ), there's no need to include them in the Low Emissions Zone scheme. LEZ primarily targets vans, buses/minibuses, lorries, coaches and specialist heavy vehicles. The exact charge each vehicle pays depends on its fuel type and weight. Vehicles weighing 1.205 to 3.5 tonnes are subject to a £100 LEZ charge if they don't meet Euro 3 standards. Heavier vehicles face a £300 fine for not meeting Euro 6 standards and £100 for not meeting Euro 4.
Certain exemptions to the above rules exist at the national level. Agricultural vehicles, construction vehicles, military vehicles, registered Showman's vehicles and police and emergency services vehicles are all exempt from LEZ charges. Additionally, certain types of specialist vehicles, such as cranes, excavators, mobile concrete mixers and gritters may be granted exemption if they are working on London's roads. In general, exemptions apply to highly specific scenarios. For most drivers and business owners outside of construction/agriculture, it's fairly certain LEZ affects you.
Benefits of using our London LEZ compliance checker
Check London LEZ compliance in real time
Stay on top of changes and updates
Prepare your route ahead of time
Plan for business expenses
User-friendly interface
Avoid costly fines
Which cars are exempt from London's LEZ charges?
Different rules apply to different types of vehicles when it comes to LEZ daily charges in London.
LEZ-compliant buses, minibuses and coaches
- Up to 5 tonnes: Euro 3
- Over 5 tonnes: Euro 6
LEZ-compliant light goods vehicles (LGVs)
- Up to 3.5 tonnes: Euro 3
- Over 3.5 tonnes: Euro 6
LEZ-compliant specialist diesel vehicles
- Up to 3.5 tonnes: Euro 3
- Over 3.5 tonnes: Euro 6
LEZ-compliant heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)
- Over 3.5 tonnes: Euro 6
- Lesser penalty for meeting Euro 4
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.
Get an Instant MOT quote now
Compare garages in your area for the best price and rating now!
Common FAQs about the London Low Emissions Zone
Absolutely, you should pay your Low Emissions Zone charge as soon as possible. If the charge isn't paid within three days, you will receive a PCN on top of your existing liability. The longer you wait to pay your Low Emissions charge, the costlier your entry into the zone becomes.
The good news is, it's fairly easy to pay and you can even do so before you enter the zone. You can pay online using TfL's 'Pay to drive in London' service. If you want, you can even set up Auto Pay so you don't have to worry about it whatsoever.
In London's Low Emissions Zone (LEZ), the types of vehicles that are most impacted are larger vehicles that don't meet certain emissions standards. These include buses/minibuses, coaches, light goods vehicles (LGVs), specialist diesel vehicles and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
Depending on the vehicle type and weight, the above categories will have to meet either Euro 3 or Euro 6 emissions standards. Please note that these are just the general rules and some vehicles may be exempt based on their use case or other specific criteria.
You certainly can avoid the Low Emissions Zone in London, but whether you do so depends entirely on your need to enter the area. If your journey is not critical or if there's an alternative route that circumvents the entirety of Greater London, then it's quite possible to dodge the zone and its associated charges entirely.
However, this is not always practical for commercial vehicles or commuters who need to pass through or stop within the heart of the city. It's always a good idea to plan your route in advance, taking into account both the LEZ and your own needs. Remember, our LEZ checker is always here to help you assess whether your vehicle meets the required emissions standards if avoiding the zone is not an option.
Yes, you can drive in the Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) in London. No restrictions are stopping you from entering the zone with your vehicle. However, it's crucial to remember that driving within the LEZ comes with a hefty price tag if your vehicle doesn't meet the required emissions standards. The charges for non-compliance can be substantial, which is why it's so important to check your vehicle's compliance status before setting off.
Transport for London would prefer you drive a more efficient vehicle rather than pay. The aim of these charges is not to deter drivers, but to incentivize the use of cleaner, more environmentally-friendly vehicles in the city.
You can check if your car meets London's Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) standards in a few ways. One way is through your vehicle's MOT test results. The MOT test includes emissions testing, and your certificate should indicate if your vehicle meets the required standards. If you're unsure, reviewing these documents or discussing them with your MOT test centre can provide clarity.
You can also contact the vehicle's manufacturer for detailed emissions specifications. Have the model, make, and production year ready for a smooth process.
The easiest way to get a glimpse into emissions is by using our online LEZ checker tool. We won't be able to give you the exact numbers, but we'll tell you whether it's enough to enter Greater London without paying a charge.
The London Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round, including weekends and public holidays. This means there's no downtime or off-peak periods like the Congestion Charge — the rules apply at all times.
So, whether you're driving through the city for a late-night delivery or an early morning commute, you'll need to ensure your vehicle meets the necessary emissions standards or you'll be facing the daily charge. This round-the-clock operation helps to maintain a consistent effort towards reducing pollution and creating a cleaner, healthier London.
Recognising whether you've entered London's Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) is simple. There are no physical barriers or toll booths but 2,800+ signs and cameras are posted along entry/exit points and throughout the area. These signs are fairly obvious and hard to miss, with clear indications of the zone's boundary.
You can also use a navigation app, which will let you know when you're about to enter or if the route you've planned goes through the LEZ.
Once you've entered the LEZ with a non-compliant vehicle, there's nothing you can do to avoid the daily charge. The only way to avoid a fine is by paying the appropriate fee within three days of entering the zone.
However, there are certain exceptions where you may be able to appeal a penalty charge notice (PCN). These include instances where your vehicle was registered exempt but not updated in their database or if your vehicle is federally exempt and wrongfully charged.
The easiest way to submit an enquiry is to use TfL's online form. On the TfL website, you can also start a webchat for a more immediate and personalised response.
You can also call 0343 222 2222 (phone) or 020 7649 9123 (textphone) to reach TfL directly for any enquiries. To challenge a charge or PCN, call 0343 222 3333.