What is a Low Emission Zone?
A low emission zone (LEZ) is an area where only certain vehicles are allowed to enter based on their emissions standards. The LEZ is being introduced to address air pollution in the city centre, mainly nitrogen dioxide (NO2), caused by road traffic. There are low emission zones (LEZ) being introduced to the four biggest cities in Scotland - Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee - after a change in legislation from the Scottish Government.
Aberdeen City Council introduced a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Aberdeen city centre on 30 May 2022 with a two year grace period. This means that between May 2022 and 31 May 2024, drivers will not be fined for entering the LEZ with a non-compliant vehicle.
Important: enforcement of the LEZ will start on Saturday 1 June 2024.
People can now enter their vehicle registration number on the official website for Scotland’s Low Emission Zones to confirm if their vehicle will comply.
What are the benefits of the LEZ?
- Improved air quality
- Protection of public health and wellbeing
- Support Scotland to reach its Climate Change targets by reducing our road transport’s contribution to emissions
- Create a vibrant, accessible, and safe city centre
- Prioritise active and sustainable transport movement
- Promote the city as a desirable place to live, visit and invest in
Find out more about the areas included in the low emissions zone.
How does it work?
The LEZ will:
- operate continuously, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are linked to local and national vehicle licencing databases, to monitor all vehicles driving in a LEZ. They will detect vehicles which do not comply with the emission standards. Stationary vehicles are not subject to LEZ restrictions
- be enforced by Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). When a non-compliant vehicle is detected driving within a LEZ a PCN is issued to the registered keeper of that vehicle . More information about PCNs is in our FAQ at the bottom of the page.
- be enforced from 1 June 2024
- we will not issue PCNs until this date
Vehicle checker
About 85% of vehicles in the area are already compliant with the LEZ. You can check your vehicle can go into Aberdeen's low emission zone and other LEZs in Scotland by using the online vehicle checker below:
The vehicle checker will allow you to check if your vehicle can drive within LEZs in Scotland based on whether it is considered compliant or non-compliant with the emission standards.
Important: the checker does not provide an exemption status and cannot check foreign vehicles.
For non-UK registered vehicles your vehicle must be LEZ compliant to drive in the LEZ otherwise you will receive a Penalty Charge Notice. Please contact your national vehicle authorities to confirm compliance status before your journey.
Emission Standards
Emission standards for LEZs in Scotland have been legally agreed at national level for more information please visit the Low Emission Zone Scotland website.
Blue badge holders
If your vehicle is already compliant, you do not need to register for a Blue Badge Exemption. Check if your vehicle is already compliant using the vehicle checker.
If you are a Blue Badge holder, and the vehicle you are travelling in is non-compliant and does not have disabled vehicle / disabled passenger vehicle tax class, then you will need to register for an exemption in advance of travel to the LEZ.
Blue badge holders can find out more or apply for exemption on the Low Emission Zones Scotland website.
Individuals unable to access or use the online registration system can call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 (option 2). The telephone line will not cater to organisational accounts or general LEZ queries.
This line will be open Monday – Friday: 8am to 8pm, and Saturday: 9am to 5pm.
More information can be found the on the Low Emission Zone Scotland website.
Map and LEZ signage
For a detailed view of the Low Emission Zone area you can use our interactive map of the LEZ, where you can zoom in and out to see all of the streets and locations.
You an also view a list of the streets included in the low emissions zone.
The boundary signage has now been installed within the Low Emission Zone area. The advance warning signage is still to be erected.
Exemptions
Blue badge holders and other types of specialist vehicles (such as emergency service vehicles and historic vehicles) are exempt from all Scottish LEZs.
Aberdeen City Council can grant additional time-limited exemptions for certain specialist vehicles which are not suitable for replacement or retrofit.
This is not intended to absolve individuals or organisations from complying with the LEZ for an indeterminate period of time, and will only be granted in specific circumstances where the air quality impacts will be minimal, and where the applicant can demonstrate that efforts are being made to comply with the LEZ in the quickest possible timescale.
Time-limited exemptions can be granted for up to a year. Should an applicant wish to renew their exemption for an additional year, the application process must be repeated.
If you wish to apply for an exemption for a particular vehicle, please fill out the form below and return to transportstrategy@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
Please note that it is not possible within the legislation for exemptions to be granted for residents' private cars.