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The UK has 3 LEZs:
Greater London has had a Low Emissions Zone in place from the 4th February 2008. Until January 2012, lorries, buses and coaches over 3.5T must meet Euro 3(PM) standards. From January 2012 the standard is Euro 4(PM). There may be a standard set for larger vans and minibuses from October 2010, however this is under review.
Norwich has a small LEZ in the city centre affecting local buses, operated by an agreement with the local operators.
Oxford is planning a bus-related LEZ, with compliance by 2014 for Euro 5.
For London:
Vehicles affected
The LEZ applies to diesel-engined lorries over 3.5 tonnes, buses, coaches, large vans and minibuses.
It also includes other specialist vehicles that are derived from lorries and vans including: motorised horseboxes; breakdown and recovery vehicles; refuse collection vehicles; snow ploughs; gritters; road sweepers; concrete mixers; tippers; removals lorries; fire engines; extended-cab dual purpose pickups and some light utility vehicles. Motor caravans, ambulances and large hearses (over 2.5 tonnes) are also included.
Dates & Standards
The emissions standards are:
- From 4th February 2008, a standard of Euro 3 for particulate matter (PM) for lorries over 12 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), and buses and coaches over 5 tonnes GVW.
- From July 2008, a standard of Euro 3 for PM for lorries between 3.5 and 12 tonnes, buses and coaches
- From January 2012, a standard of Euro 3 for PM for larger vans and minibuses. The date is not yet fully confirmed, but set out in the London Mayor's draft Air Quality Strategy, which is subject to consultation.
- From January 2012, a standard of Euro 4 for PM for lorries over 3.5 tonnes GVW, buses and coaches over 5 tonnes GVW.
The table below details which vehicles the LEZ applies to and when they have to meet the relevant emissions standards, however, see above note about vans in 2010 to supplement the diagram.
*Note, the date of phase 3 is now likely to be January 2012, not October 2010 as in the above table, which has not as yet been updated by TfL.
Retrofitting allowed?
Yes. There are also a number of other options available to meet the LEZ emissions standards.
- Certify your engine emissions ? Some Euro II and a few Euro I engines may have sufficiently low particulate matter emissions that they will meet LEZ 2008 emissions standards without modification.
- Modify your vehicle - possible modifications include fitting pollution abatement equipment (a diesel particulate filter) or a cleaner engine. All modifications must be approved to ensure they achieve the required emission standards.
TfL will only accept vehicle modifications that have been certified by an approved body as reducing the particulate matter emissions sufficiently to meet the required LEZ standards. How to obtain certification depends on where a vehicle is registered.
Vehicles registered in Great Britain
All GB registered vehicles under-going modification will need to be inspected by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) that they have fitted an approved modification.
After a successful test, VOSA will issue either a Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC) or Low Emissions Certificate (LEC). Holders of an RPC or LEC will not need to register their vehicle with TfL as their details will be passed on to TfL by VOSA.
Vehicles registered outside Great Britain (including Northern Ireland)
Operators need to submit evidence to TfL of any modification from a recognised certification authority in their country of registration.
- Pay the daily charge - if you have no other option, pay the daily LEZ charge for each day you drive within the zone.
What is the LEZ boundary:
The LEZ covers most of Greater London, following the Greater London Authority boundary. All public roads, including certain motorways within the boundary are included within the LEZ. A more detailed interactive map of the zone can be found on the Transport for London website.
LEZ road signs
Entering the LEZ: Within the LEZ:
 
Enforcement
Enforcement is with fixed and mobile cameras which read your vehicle's number plate as you drive in the zone and check it against a database of registered vehicles that:
- meet with the LEZ emissions standards, or
- have paid the daily charge (see below), or
- are either exempt or registered for a 100% discount.
Note: Operators of all vehicles that do not meet the LEZ emissions standards, or qualify for an exemption or a 100% discount must pay the daily charge or they may be liable for a penalty charge.
Payment
A daily charge is applicable for each day the vehicle is driven within the zone and does not meet the required emissions standards. The charging day operates from midnight to midnight. Charges apply every day of the year including weekends and public holidays.
- Pay online ? you can pay by credit or debit card online;
- Pay by phone ? simply call 0845 607 0009 between 6.00am and 12.20am, Sunday to Friday, or between 6.00am and 10.00pm on Saturdays. Operators calling from outside the UK should call +44 (0) 207 310 8998
Payment can be made up to 64 working days in advance of the day of travel, on the day of travel, or up to midnight on the first working day after driving in the zone. The charges are given in the table below.
Vehicle registration
For LEZ vehicle registration forms and guidance notes click here or by calling 0845 607 0009 or from abroad +44 (0) 207 310 8998.
Vehicles registered in Great Britain
Most GB operators will not have to register their vehicles with Transport for London (TfL), including those that are exempt. TfL will use data from the following sources to determine whether a vehicle meets the LEZ emissions standards:
- Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
- Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)
- Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
However, operators of showman's vehicles that are entitled to a 100% discount will need to register with TfL to qualify for the discount.
Vehicles registered outside of Great Britain, including Northern Ireland
All these vehicles affected by the LEZ (including those which are exempt or entitled to a 100% discount) have to be registered with TfL, even if they meet the required emissions standards and are to be driven in the LEZ.
To register your vehicle for the LEZ scheme you can download a registration form How to register in English, or visit the Euro Parking Collection website for a form in your chosen language.
Foreign vehicles
Are included, see above for Vehicles registered outside of Great Britain.
Hours of operation
The LEZ operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year including weekends and public holidays.
What an LEZ is called in the country
Low Emission Zone or LEZ.
Exemptions and discounts
A small number of vehicles will be granted an exemption or 100% discount from the LEZ.
Exemptions
The following vehicles will automatically be exempt from the LEZ if registered in Great Britain. These will not need to be registered with TfL and are not subject to the LEZ charge:
- Vehicles designed and built for mainly off-road use, but which may be used on the road for limited purposes (e.g. road and building construction machinery)
- Historic vehicles (constructed before 1 January 1973)
- Military vehicles (not registered with the DVLA or country equivalent)
Eligible vehicles registered outside Great Britain (including Northern Ireland) will need to register with TfL for an exemption.
Discounts
Certain showman's vehicles are eligible for a 100% discount. This will only apply to vehicles which have been custom built and are permanently fitted with equipment forming part of a show.
Operators of such vehicles will need to register with TfL to qualify for the discount.
Penalties
If you drive an affected vehicle in the zone and it does not meet the required emissions standards, is not exempt or entitled to a 100% discount and you do not pay the daily charge, you may be liable for a Penalty Charge. This will be issued to the registered keeper of the vehicle.
- Lorries, buses and coaches - £1000 Penalty Charge per day. This will be reduced to £500 if paid within 14 calendar days, but increased to £1500 if not paid within 28 calendar days
- Large vans and minibuses - £500 Penalty Charge per day. This will be reduced to £250 if paid within 14 calendar days, but increased to £750 if not paid within 28 calendar days
Further information
Transport for London (TfL)
Phone (within the UK): 0845 607 0009
Phone (from outside the UK): +44 (0) 207 310 8998
Text phone: 0207 310 8999
Write to: Low Emission Zone, PO Box 4544, Coventry CV6 9DW
An information leaflet is also available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Belgian French, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Flemish, German, Italian, and Polish. To obtain your copy visit the Transport for London website or call 0845 607 0009
City website
www.tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon
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