London low emission zone (LEZ)

What is the London Low Emission Zone?

The Greater London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) focuses on reducing particulate matter emitted from diesel-engine vehicles (including hgvs, buses and coaches) throughout the 32 London boroughs and the Corporation of London

The LEZ operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and has various compliance stages dependent on vehicle weight and Euro standard. If you don’t comply with the compliance standards then you need to pay a daily access fee or face penalty charges. Cars are not included in the LEZ.

What area does the LEZ cover?

• All public roads are included within the LEZ, in addition to the following motorways:
• M1 south of London Gateway Services
• M4 east of Junction 3
• M4 spur to Heathrow

View a map of the London LEZ
Transport for London (TfL) have a tool on their website to enter a street name or postcode where you can then see its location in relation to charging zones, which can be found here. 

What vehicles does the LEZ apply to?

The London Low Emission Zone requirements impact the following vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes GVW: HGVs, lorries, vans, motor caravans, motorised horseboxes, breakdown and recovery vehicles, snow ploughs, gritters, refuse collection vehicles, road sweepers, concrete mixers, fire engines, tippers, removal lorries and other specialist vehicles.  

The Minimum emissions standard is: Euro VI/6 (NOx and PM), there is no charge for compliant vehicles, however, there will be a £100.00 daily charge for vehicles that only meet euro IV/4 or V/5 (PM only). There will be a £300.00 daily charge for vehicles that do not meet Euro IV/4. (PM only).  

Vans and other specialist vehicles including 4x4 light utility vehicles, motorised horse boxes, breakdown and recovery vehicles and dual-purpose vehicles exceeding 1.205 tonnes unladen weight (ULW) and not exceeding 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW) will require a minimum emissions standard of Euro 3 (PM) or pay a daily charge of £100.00. 

How can I get more information?

TfL’s website offers guidance on where the LEZ operates, charging times, a postcode and map search, exemptions and discounts and further advice for operators. 

London Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

In a bid to further tackle harmful emissions and to improve air quality in central London, The Mayor of London along with Transport for London (TfL) introduced an Ultra-Low Emission Zone which was launched on 8 April 2019. 

The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week (except Christmas Day) in the same area as the current central London congestion charging zone. The scheme will apply to cars and motorcycles as well as vans, minibuses and HGVs. The ULEZ standards apply in addition to the congestion charge and the existing Low Emission Zone requirements. 

From 25th October 2021, the ULEZ will expand to cover central London to create a single, larger zone up to, but not including the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205).  

ULEZ standards

• Motorcycle, moped and similar vehicles - ULEZ standard: Euro 3
• Petrol-engined cars, vans and minibuses - ULEZ standard: Euro 4
• Diesel-engined cars, vans and minibuses - ULEZ standard: Euro 6
• hgvs, buses and coaches - ULEZ standard: Euro VI

Discounts and exemptions

The list of exemptions is limited and extend to:  

• Residents  

• Taxis 

• Historical vehicles 

• Discounts for showman’s vehicles  

• Vehicles for the disabled  

• Private Hire Vehicles  

A full list can be found at the TfL website here.  

If your vehicle meets any of the above criteria and is registered in the UK, it is automatically exempt and you don't need to register with TfL. If your vehicle meets any of the above criteria but is registered outside the UK, you are also exempt, but will need to register with TfL. 

ULEZ daily charge 

Vehicles that do not meet the ULEZ standards will be required to pay a daily charge to drive within the zone. Charges will depend on the vehicle type. 

• Motorcycle, moped and similar vehicles (Euro 3 applies) (£12.50) 

• Petrol-engined cars, vans and minibuses (Euro 4 applies) (£12.50) 

• Diesel-engined cars, vans and minibuses (Euro 6 applies) (£12.50) 

• Hgvs, buses and coaches (Euro VI applies) (£100) 

It is possible that a vehicle which is subject to the ULEZ and/or LEZ emissions standards and is driven during congestion charging hours would have to pay all three daily charges. 

Penalties

TfL may issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if you drive within the ULEZ without meeting emissions standards or paying the appropriate daily charge. Failure to pay the daily access charge for a non-compliant HGV will result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £1,000 (reducible to £500 if paid within 14 days). For large vans, minibuses and other relevant vehicles between 1.205 and 3.5 tonnes the penalty is £160 (reducible to £80 if paid within 14 days). Failure to pay a PCN within 28 days will result in the fine increasing to £1,500 or £240 (depending on vehicle size). 

Emissions schemes operating and confirmed in London

Please see the table below for a brief overview of the current emissions schemes operating and confirmed in London. More details from Transport for London can be found here.