A warning has been issued to road users as Scotland's first Low Emission Zone (LEZ) comes into force this week.
Drivers may face fines up to £480 as strict standards limit many vehicles from driving through areas in Glasgow. The zones have been set out across the city, with zones in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee coming into effect next year.
The rules have been brought in to reduce air pollution, meaning that vehicles must meet a polluting emission to avoid a penalty charge. However, not every car will break the rules as other exemptions also apply for those living within or travelling through Glasgow's Low Emission Zones.
Petrol and diesel vehicle owners face different rules as standards differ depending on the type car, van or HGV being driven.
To make sure you know exactly what the rules are and if any exemptions apply to you, the Daily Record has put together everything you need to know.
Will fines be given to drivers who fail to comply with LEZ rules?
From June 1, non-compliant vehicles will be subject to a fine for the first time in Scotland as the Glasgow LEZs come into force. Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) will be issued to the registered keeper of the vehicle in breach of the standards.
A maximum of one PCN will be issued to the vehicle's keeper in any day, meaning you cannot be fined multiple times in one journey or travelling through the zones.
The Scottish Government has set the initial fine as £60, operating in all LEZs in Scotland once in operation.
However, the charge will double with each time the vehicle is found to breach the rules by being detected in an LEZ over time - with the rates capped at £480 for cars and light goods vehicles and £960 for buses and HGVs.
Any further breaches by the same vehicle will result in future PCNs issued at the capped penalty rate.
Cars permitted to drive in Scotland's LEZ zones - full list
Petrol and diesel vehicles
Emission standard for the LEZ across Scotland have been set nationally, meaning that they will apply in all zones as they come into force across the country.
The standards were confirmed through the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 and subsequent regulations and are consistent with rules set in schemes across the rest of the UK as well as Europe.
The standards for petrol/diesel vehicles are:
- Euro 4 for petrol vehicles
- Euro 6 for diesel vehicles
- Euro IV for heavy duty petrol vehicles such as buses/coaches and HGVs
- Euro VI for heavy duty diesel vehicles such as buses/coaches and HGVs
These standards mean that diesel vehicles registered before September 2015 and petrol vehicles registered before 2006 will not be permitted to enter the LEZs.
Buses and HGVs from 2013 onward will generally meet the standards.
If you are still not sure, you can use the Transport Scotland's vehicle registration checker to see if you vehicle will comply.
Electric Vehicles
All fully electric vehicles comply with the LEZ requirements across Scotland.
Are there any exemptions?
Zone residents
People who live within the LEZ zones will be provided a grace period until June 1, 2024. The grace period means that those registered to a residential property within the zone have an extra year to meet the LEZ requirements.
However, the grace period is not automatically applied. Residents must visit register, for example by visiting the Glasgow City Council application or by contacting the relevant local council.
Letters were previously sent out to residents who qualify for the grace period, but you should contact your local council if you are not sure.
Motorcycles
Both motorcycles and mopeds are unaffected with the LEZ schemes in Scotland.
Vehicles used for people with disabilities
There are a number of exemptions that allow vehicles used for people with disabilities within the zones, regardless of meeting the standards.
The exemptions are as follows:
- Vehicles registered with a 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicles' tax class
- Vehicles receiving a reduction in annual rate of vehicle excise duty due to be used by a disabled person in receipt of a personal independence payment
- Blue badge holders - those driven by a badge holder, a passenger with a blue badge, or a blue badge which has been issued by an organisation
Blue Badge holders who require exemptions can register their details on Transport Scotland's LEZ exemption system.
Emergency vehicles
Emergency vehicles will be exempt as well as vehicles being driven by anyone who is:
- undertaking their duty as a constable
- providing a response to an emergency at the request of the Scottish Ambulance Service Board
- exercising the functions of the Scottish Ambulance Service Board, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, His Majesty's Coastguard or the National Crime Agency
Naval, military or air force vehicles
All vehicles being used for naval, military or air force purposes are exempt.
Other exempt vehicles
'Historic' and 'Showman' vehicles will also be exempt from LEZ standards.
Vehicles of 'historic interest' include those manufactured, or registered, for the first time at least 30 years previous and are no longer in production. The vehicles must also been historically preserved or maintained in its original state without undergoing changes.
'Showman's' vehicles or 'showman's goods vehicles' are defined by section 62(1) of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994.
These are highly specialised vehicles used for the purposes of travelling showmen, where the vehicle is used during the performance, used for the purpose of providing the performance or used for carrying performance equipment.
Fines will be reduced by 50 per cent if paid within the first 14 days.
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