Three more Scots cities set to bring in low emission zones
IN less than one month, city centre low emission zones (LEZ) will be launched in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. The schemes aim to cut emissions and pollution in the city centre by stopping some vehicles from entering.
Edinburgh and Aberdeen’s LEZ schemes will go live from June 1 – exactly one year after Glasgow’s scheme started operating. The Dundee LEZ will start on May 30.
All three zones officially started two years ago, but a “grace period” was enacted to give people time to prepare for full enforcement in 2024.
What is a low emission zone (LEZ)?
A LOW emission zone, or LEZ, is an area only accessible to vehicles that meet minimum emission standards. This means not all vehicles are affected by the zone and the majority of drivers can still access the city centre.
However, any vehicles that breach the emission standards will be issued a fine for entering the zone. There are some exemptions regardless of emission standards, including: blue badge holders, motorbikes, mopeds and emergency vehicles.
The Scottish Government says the aim of the LEZ is to improve air quality in city centres. Councils say profit earned from the fines will be reinvested to meet Scotland’s net-zero and clean air targets.
Can I drive in an LEZ?
IF your vehicle meets the minimum emission standards, you can enter the zone. Low emission zone restrictions only affect the most polluting vehicles.
This typically means the zone will have an impact on diesel vehicles registered before September 2015 and petrol vehicles registered before 2006. Motorists can use the “LEZ vehicle checker” to see if their vehicle complies on the LEZ Scotland website.
All four Scottish LEZs follow the same emission standards set by the Scottish Government.
How does an LEZ work?
COUNCILS use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to check if vehicles are compliant. If a driver enters a Scottish LEZ with a non-compliant vehicle, they will be issued an initial fine of £60.
But, like a parking ticket, the fine reduces by 50% if it is paid within the first 14 days. If a vehicle reenters the LEZ within 60 days of its last breach, the penalty charge will
double. Fines will continue to double until reaching a maximum of £480 for cars and light goods vehicles and £960 for buses and HGVs.
Glasgow Low Emission Zone
the LEZ, which means the Tay Road Bridge is fully accessible to all vehicles.