A Low Emission Zone (LEZ) has officially been introduced in Edinburgh in an effort to provide "cleaner air, better health and a more pleasant and attractive city".
The LEZ, which was launched on May 31, restricts the most polluting vehicles driving into Edinburgh city centre.
It is hoped that it will lower pollution and encourage more locals and visitors to use public transport in the city.
READ MORE — Cost of living Scotland payment dates and claimant eligibility criteria
While the LEZ has officially been introduced, it will not be enforced until June 1 2024 — after which motorists who breach the rules by driving a vehicle that does not meet set standards for exhaust emissions into the LEZ area will be punished.
Here is a rundown of everything you need to know about Edinburgh's new Low Emission Zone.
How does Edinburgh's Low Emission Zone work?
The LEZ will be in effect at all times — 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It will be monitored via Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, which are linked to a national vehicle licensing database.
The cameras will therefore be able to detect vehicles that do not comply with the minimum emission standards.
However, according to the City of Edinburgh Council website, the majority of vehicles currently driving through the city centre already meet these standards.
What are the emission standards in Edinburgh's Low Emission Zone?
Only vehicles that meet certain standards will be permitted to enter the LEZ in Edinburgh.
The minimum criteria is as follows:
- Euro 4 for petrol cars and vans (generally vehicles registered from 2006)
- Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans (generally vehicles registered from September 2015)
- Euro VI for buses, coaches and HGVs (generally vehicles registered from January 2013).
However, these dates are only an approximation, and you should look for your vehicle on Transport Scotland's online checker.
Where is the Low Emission Zone in Edinburgh?
On its website, the council states: "The main aim is to reduce air pollution in areas where the damage to our health is the greatest. We looked at lots of evidence when we considered the different options for the boundary for Edinburgh's proposed LEZ."
As can be seen on the map above, the LEZ will include areas such as the West End, Queen Street and the New Town, Greenside at the top of Leith Walk, Abbeyhill on the east, the Pleasance, the Meadows, and Tollcross.
What happens if I breach Edinburgh's Low Emission Zone?
Once the rules begin to be enforced on June 1 2024, you will be issued with a fine if you drive into the LEZ with a non-compliant vehicle.
The initial penalty will be £60, though this will be reduced to £30 if it is paid within 14 days.
However, a surcharge will applied in cases where a further breach of the rules is detected.
According to the council, penalty charges will be capped at £480 for cars and light goods vehicles and £960 for buses and HGVs.
Are there any exemptions?
Certain categories of vehicle will continue to be allowed into the LEZ, even if they do not comply with emission standards.
This is because these vehicles cannot be easily adapted to meet the new requirements.
The following types of vehicle will all be exempt from Edinburgh's new LEZ:
- historic vehicles (vehicles over 30 years old, no longer in production and preserved in original state)
- emergency vehicles
- military vehicles
- showman’s vehicles.
Additionally, the council may introduce temporary exemptions in "exceptional and unique circumstances" when necessary — though no local exemptions have been announced yet.
