With discussions over climate change ramping up in recent years, countries around the world are taking action to positively affect the environment for future generations.
Various areas across the UK have had their motoring lives changed recently following the inclusions of Low Emission Zones (LEZ), Ultra-low Emission Zones (ULEZ), and Clean Air Zones (CAZ).
The reasoning for these zones being implemented is to reduce pollution caused by
vehicles, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM).
So, what does this mean for certain areas in the UK? And what are the differences between these three zones? That’s what we will cover in this article today.
What is a Low Emission Zone?
A Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is an area where restrictions are imposed upon the highest polluting vehicles.
These LEZs have been imposed across the UK recent years, with London being the first city introduced to a Low Emission Zone in 2008.
Since then, 10 areas in the United Kingdom have been introduced to Low Emission Zones, including locations such as
Edinburgh,
Portsmouth, and
Glasgow implementing the LEZ rules.
These rules consist of cars needing to meet certain emission standards, which are as follows:
- Euro 4 for petrol cars and vans - typically vehicles registered from 2006
- Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans - typically vehicles registered from September 2015
- Euro 6 for petrol and diesel taxis and private hire vehicles, according to standard licence conditions, as set out in the Taxi Emission Standards Policy (2021)
- Euro VI for buses, coaches, and HGVs – typically vehicles registered from January 2013
If these standards are not met, the penalty charge notice (PCN) are:
Non-compliant cars, vans, and special purpose vehicles
- £60 initial PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) per vehicle – if paid within 14 days, reduced to a £30 fine
- £120 PCN upon the second breach if the same vehicle has been driven again within 90 days of first breach
- £240 PCN upon the third breach if the same vehicle has been driven a third time within 90 days of first breach
- £480 PCN upon the fourth breach if the same vehicle has been driven a fourth time within 90 days of first breach
Non-compliant minibuses, buses / coaches, and heavy goods vehicles
- £60 initial PCN per vehicle – if paid within 14 days, reduced to a £30 fine
- £120 PCN upon the second breach if the same vehicle has been driven again within 90 days of first breach
- £240 PCN upon the third breach if the same vehicle has been driven a third time within 90 days of first breach
- £480 PCN upon the fourth breach if the same vehicle has been driven a fourth time within 90 days of first breach
- £960 PCN upon the fifth breach if the same vehicle has been driven a fifth time within 90 days of first breach
LEZ Vehicle Exemptions
- Vehicles for people with disabilities (blue badges)
- Historic vehicles
- Showman’s vehicles
- Emergency vehicles
- Military vehicles