London low emission zone

The London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was introduced in early 2008 to help improve the air quality in London by preventing the most polluting vehicles from being driven into the Greater London area. A charge is payable for older, diesel-engined lorries, buses/coaches that do not meet the required emission standards when they are driven in the zone. Larger vans and minibuses are currently subject to a consultation to defer the date to 3 January 2010 that the low emission zone effects these types of vehicles.

The LEZ applies irrespective of whether the above mentioned vehicles are used for commercial or private use.

Where and when does it operate?

The LEZ covers most of Greater London. The majority of roads (including those at Heathrow and the M1 and M4 motorways) fall within the zone. However, the M25 motorway is not included even where it passes within the boundary.

The LEZ operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and public holidays. Once you pay for a day, you can drive within the zone as many times as you like on that day. The daily charging period runs from midnight to midnight. This means that if you enter the zone before midnight and leave it after midnight, you will need to pay for two days.

What vehicles are currently effected?

All lorries over 3.5 tonnes and minibuses/coaches with more than eight passenger seats and with a gross vehicle weight over 5 tonnes which do not meet Euro III emission standards for particulate matter are effected.

What are the future emission standards?

From 3 January 2012, all lorries over 3.5 tonnes and minibuses/coaches with more than eight passenger seats and with a gross vehicle weight over 5 tonnes will need to meet Euro IV emission standards for particulate matter.

What about vans?

Transport for London is currently consulting on behalf of Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, on deferring the date that the low emission zone affects larger vans (vans between 1.205 tonnes unladen and 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight), minibuses and motor caravans from 4 October 2010 to 3 January 2012. These vehicles will need to meet Euro 3 emission standards.

How do I register and pay?

Transport for London (TfL) assumes that lorries (over 3.5 tonnes), buses and coaches are Euro III compliant if they were first registered on or after 1 October 2001. Vans and minibuses are assumed to be compliant if registered on or 1 January 2002. In other words, these vehicles will be automatically registered as LEZ compliant. Euro III vehicles purchased before the mandatory dates need to be registered with TfL for the vehicle to be recognised as compliant.

For further information about registering your vehicle see: www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/lez/

Vehicles that do not meet TfL's emissions standards will be subject to a daily charge of £200 for entering the LEZ (£100 for large vans and minibuses). If this daily charge is not paid, the registered keeper will be issued with a penalty charge notice.

For further information about how to pay see: www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/lez/payments/

Are there any discounts and exemptions?

A small number of vehicles are exempt from the LEZ and do not need to be registered with TfL. These include:

vehicles designed and built for mainly off-road use, eg agricultural vehicles.
historic vehicles (those constructed before 1 January 1973).
military vehicles not registered with the DVLA or military vehicles from outside the UK.