The low emission zones, also known as LEZs, will help improve air quality and protect public health. This means that the vehicles that release the most pollution will have restricted access to some roads in the city centre.
Here are the cities currently planning to have Low Emission Zones:
- Glasgow from Thursday 1 June 2023
- Dundee from Thursday 30 May 2024
- Aberdeen and Edinburgh from Saturday 1 June 2024
You can use Scotland’s vehicle checker to see if you can use your vehicle in a Low Emission Zone – you will need your vehicle’s registration number.
If you are caught driving a vehicle that is not allowed in a Low Emission Zone, the owner of the vehicle will be given a fine. This is known as a ‘Penalty Charge Notice’.
These Low Emission Zones will be in force 24 hours a day, all year round. However, some vehicles are not subject to the same rules:
- A vehicle with a ‘disabled’ or ‘disabled passenger vehicles’ tax class
- A vehicle with a reduced rate of vehicle excise duty because it is being used by a disabled person who receives personal independence payment (PIP) at the standard rate
- A vehicle being driven by any person who has a blue badge
- A vehicle with a passenger who has a blue badge
- A vehicle being driven with a Blue Badge which has been issued to an organisation
Enforcement systems will automatically detect if your vehicle has a disabled vehicle or disabled passenger vehicle tax class.
If your vehicle does not have one of the above tax classes but you are a blue badge holder, you must register for an exemption before you travel into a Low Emission Zone. You can register for a long-term or one-day exemption – they will apply to all Low Emission Zones across Scotland.
You can find out more details on the exemptions for Low Emission Zones and register for an exemption at www.lowemissionzones.scot/blue-badge-exemption
If you cannot access the online registration system, you can call the Scottish LEZ Exemption System Registration line 0800 328 5691. This line is open every day between 8am and 8pm.