Low Emission Zone

What is the LEZ?

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was introduced in 2008 to encourage the most polluting heavy diesel vehicles driving in the Capital to become cleaner. The LEZ covers most of Greater London. To drive within it without paying a daily charge these vehicles must meet certain emissions standards that limit the amount of particulate matter (a type of pollution) coming from their exhausts.
Despite significant improvements in recent years, London's air pollution is still a concern.
So much so, that from 3 January 2012 the LEZ emissions standards will become more stringent. More vehicles will be affected, and those that are already affected will need to meet tighter emissions standards.

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) covers most of Greater London.
Find out if an address is within the LEZ

From 3 January 2012, larger vans, minibuses and other specialist diesel vehicles will be affected by the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) for the first time. If you own this type of vehicle, it must meet certain emissions standards to be driven within the LEZ without paying a daily charge.
It doesn't matter whether your vehicle is used for commercial or private purposes - it will still need to meet the standards.

Vehicles affected from 3 January 2012

The age and weight of a vehicle indicate the level of emissions it produces.
The table below shows those vehicle types that won't meet the LEZ emissions standards from 3 January 2012. If you own any of the vehicles listed, you will need to take action before driving within the LEZ, or pay a daily charge.

Vehicle types that won't meet the LEZ emissions standards in 2012
Vehicle Type	Weight	Age
- Larger vans - Motorised horseboxes - 4x4 light utility vehicles - Pick-ups - Other specialist vehicles	1.205 tonnes unladen, to 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight	Vehicles registered as new before 1 January 2002
- Motor caravans - Ambulances	2.5 - 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight	Vehicles registered as new before 1 January 2002
- Minibuses (with more than 8 passenger seats)	5 tonnes or less Gross Vehicle Weight	Vehicles registered as new before 1 January 2002

Why include private vehicles?

These are included because they emit the same levels of pollutants as commercial vehicles. Specifically, motor caravans and ambulances are included because they have similar emissions to vans and minibuses.
Motor caravans are defined as vehicles with living accommodation, comprised of the following as a minimum:

• Seats and a table
• Sleeping accommodation (which may be converted from the seats)
• Cooking and storage facilities, including an onboard or external water container
• At least one side window

To be classified as a motor caravan this equipment must be rigidly fixed to the living compartment. If you have converted your vehicle to operate as a motor caravan you will need to ensure that it is correctly classified as such by the DVLA.
Some examples of vehicles that might be used for private purposes but are still subject to the LEZ include:

• Light 4 x 4 utility vehicles, weighing over 1.205 tonnes unladen
• Pick-ups weighing, over 1.205 tonnes unladen
• Vehicles with a commercial vehicle body type (for example, vans), weighing over 1.205 tonnes unladen
• Minibuses with more than eight seats, plus the driver's seat
• Motor Homes/Motorised Caravans, weighing over 2.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight
• Ambulances weighing over 2.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight

If your vehicle doesn't appear in the list above, you can use the weight limit and age (date first registered) as a guide to whether you need to take action, or use our vehicle checker

Light 4x4 utility vehicles

There are many types of light 4x4 utility vehicle. It is their classification (decided by the manufacturer and the European Union) that determines whether they're affected by the LEZ or not.
Light 4x4 utility vehicles classed as cars are not affected by the LEZ. Those classed as commercial vehicles are subject to the LEZ. This can be found on a VSC registration certificate under 'Body Type.'
Any vehicle designed to carry goods, or more than nine passengers, is classed as a commercial vehicle, even it's only used for recreational purposes. These include:

• All models of pick-up vehicles, including dual cab pick-ups
• Commercial or 'panel van' variants of light utility vehicles (these can be identified by having a goods-carrying capacity in place of seating and metal panels in place of windows)
• Light utility vehicles that have more than 8 passenger seats

If your light utility vehicle is subject to the LEZ, then you can find out about your options
If you think that your light 4x4 utility vehicle has been classified incorrectly, please register your vehicle with TfL
If you have any queries, please contact us on 0845 607 0009.

What emissions standards will my vehicle need to meet?

The LEZ emissions standards are based on Euro standards for the emission of particulate matter (PM). PM is very fine particles of soot emitted by vehicles, which have an effect on health. This type of pollution can contribute to asthma, heart and lung disease, other respiratory illnesses and even early death.
As of 3 January 2012, your vehicle will need to meet the Euro 3 standard for particulate matter.

How do I know if my vehicle meets the standards?

The quickest way to check if your vehicle meets the current or new standards is to enter your registration plate into our vehicle checker
Alternatively, you can use the vehicle type tool
If your vehicle was registered any time before 1 January 2002, it won't meet the Euro 3 emissions standards without modification, so you'll need to take action if you want to drive within the LEZ from 3 January 2012 without paying a daily charge. Find out what your options are
If your vehicle was registered on or after 1 January 2002, it will meet the Euro 3 emissions standards and you can drive within the LEZ without taking any action.

Case studies

We've developed some case studies to show how vehicles can meet the requirements of the LEZ scheme:

Exemptions

A small number of vehicles are entitled to an exemption from the Low Emission Zone (LEZ). These are:

• Specialist non-road going vehicles designed and built for mainly off-road use, but which may use the road for limited purposes (including agricultural and forestry tractors, mowing machines, agricultural and farm machinery and equipment, mobile cranes and road and building construction machinery)
• Historic vehicles built before 1 January 1973
• Vehicles operated by the Ministry of Defence

If your vehicle meets any of the above criteria and is registered in Great Britain, 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 Great Britain (including Northern Ireland) you are also exempt, but will need to register with Transport for London (TfL)

Discounts

Some showman's vehicles are eligible for a 100 per cent discount from the LEZ daily charge if they are registered to a person following the business of a travelling showman and have been modified or specially constructed.
For a vehicle to be eligible for the discount, modifications or special constructions for the purpose of the show must be either:

• Used during the performance, or
• Used for the purpose of providing the performance, or 
• Used for carrying performance equipment, or 
• Used for displaying animals to the public, or
• Below the chassis level, such that it isn't possible to fit emission abatement equipment

If your vehicle meets the above criteria, you'll need to register with TfL  to qualify for the

 

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including weekends and public and Bank Holidays.
Charging days run from midnight to midnight. So if you were to enter the LEZ in a vehicle that doesn't meet the required emissions standards at 11:30pm and exit at 1.00am the next day, you'd need to pay for two days.
Vehicles parked in the zone but not driving are not subject to the LEZ requirements for that day.
Remember, the LEZ isn't the same as the central London Congestion Charging zone. The Congestion Charge applies 7:00am to 6:00pm Monday-Friday, excluding public and Bank Holidays. If you drive within the Congestion Charging zone during these times you will have to pay the Congestion Charge, even if you meet the LEZ emissions standards or have paid the LEZ daily charge.

There are no barriers or tollbooths within the Low Emission Zone (LEZ). Instead, cameras will read your number plate as you drive within the LEZ and check it against our database of registered vehicles.
This database is compiled using information from The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA), the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and drivers and operators who have registered directly with us.
This tells us automatically whether your vehicle meets the LEZ emissions standards, is exempt, is registered for a discount or if you've already paid the daily charge.

If you're driving a vehicle registered outside of Great Britain (this includes vehicles registered in Northern Ireland), you'll need to register it with Transport for London (TfL) to let us know that it meets the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) emissions standards so we can add your vehicle to our database.
It's important that you do this, because if you drive in the LEZ without registering, even if your vehicle meet the standards, you'll have to pay the daily charge or may receive a Penalty Charge Notice.
Find out more about registering your vehicle

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was introduced in 2008 to encourage the most polluting diesel vehicles driving in our Capital to become cleaner.
To drive within the LEZ without paying a daily charge, your vehicle must meet certain emission standards that limit the amount of particulate matter coming from its exhaust. Particulate matter is a type of pollution that can contribute to asthma, heart and lung disease, other respiratory illnesses and even early death.
The Mayor's Air Quality Strategy published in December 2010 has more information about the link between particulate matter and health.
By reducing traffic pollution, our aim is to improve the health and quality of life of everyone visiting, working in or living in London.

From 3 January 2012, the current emissions standards are changing and more vehicle types will be affected.

Lorries, buses, coaches and heavy specialist vehicles

Currently, these vehicles need to meet the Euro III standard for particulate matter (PM), but as of 3 January 2012 this will be raised to Euro IV standard for PM:
Vehicles first registered as new on or after 1 October 2006 will meet the Euro IV standard.
Find out more about the 2012 changes and how they'll affect your vehicle

Larger vans, minibuses and specialist diesel vehicles

As of 3 January 2012, these vehicle types will be affected by the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) for the first time. If you own this type of vehicle, it will need to meet the Euro 3 emissions standard for PM to be driven within the LEZ.
Vehicles first registered as new on or after 1 January 2002 will meet the Euro III standard.
Find out more about the 2012 changes and how they'll affect your vehicle

Eligible Engines

A small number of Euro I and II lorries, buses and coaches meet the current Euro III emissions standard for PM because of the engine fitted in the vehicle. These are known as Eligible Engines.
However, from 3 January 2012 vehicles with Eligible Engines will no longer meet the required emissions standards, which are changing to Euro IV for PM.
Any Reduced Pollution Certificates (RPCs) or Low Emission Certificates (LECs) issued to vehicles with Eligible Engines will only be valid until 2 January 2012.
To be able to drive within the zone without charge from 3 January 2012, vehicles with Eligible Engines will need to be fitted with an approved full particulate filter.
Find out more about Eligible Engines
Find out more about fitting a full filter

Partial filters

To meet the current Euro III for PM standards, some vehicles have been able to fit an approved partial filter.
However, from 3 January 2012 there will be no approved partial filters that allow a vehicle to meet the new LEZ standards of Euro IV for PM.
To be able to drive without paying the daily charge from 3 January 2012, vehicles with partial filters will need to be fitted with an approved full particulate filter.
Find out more about fitting a full filter

Vehicles with current Reduced Pollution Certificates and Low Emission Certificates

If your vehicle currently has a valid Low Emission Certificate (LEC) or Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC), the changes in 2012 mean your vehicle may not meet the new standards. If this is the case, you may have to take action to drive without charge in the zone.

Vehicles with RPCs:

All vehicles that have a valid RPC meet the current LEZ emissions standards. However, when the standards change in 2012, not all of these vehicles will meet the new LEZ emissions standards.
There are three types of RPCs, 'M', 'P', and 'G'. You can identify which type of RPC you have by checking which box has been ticked on your certificate.

Vehicles with RPC 'M' certificates:

RPCs issued to vehicles because they've been modified by the manufacturer are classified as 'M' certificates. Vehicles with these won't meet the new LEZ emissions standards in 2012.

Vehicles with RPC 'P' certificates:

RPCs issued to vehicles because they have a full filter fitted are classified as 'P' certificates. Vehicles with these will meet the new LEZ emission standards in 2012, so you won't need to take any further action.

Vehicles with RPC 'G' certificates:

RPCs issued to vehicles because they have been converted to run on gas are classified as 'G' certificates. Vehicles with these will meet the new LEZ emission standards in 2012, so you won't need to take any further action.

Vehicles with LECs:

All vehicles with a valid LEC meet the current LEZ emissions standards.
However, not all vehicles that currently have a valid LEC will meet the new LEZ emissions standards in 2012.
If you have a LEC because your vehicle has an Eligible Engine, or because it has been fitted with a partial filter (see above), your LEC will no longer be valid from 3 January 2012.
If your vehicle has been fitted with a full filter or has been converted to run on gas, your LEC will be valid after 3 January 2012, providing that your vehicle passes a re-test when your current certificate expires.
If you think your vehicle might be misclassified by TfL, please register your vehicle

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