Driving in Low Emission Zones in Scotland

In Scotland, Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are areas where, in order to improve air quality, the use of the most polluting vehicles is restricted. Only vehicles that meet specific Euro emissions standards, that make them less polluting, are freely allowed to circulate.

Driving in Low Emission Zones in Scotland

Vehicles that are allowed unrestricted access to LEZs in Scotland include:

  • All fully electric vehicles;
  • Most other plug-in vehicles;
  • Petrol light goods vehicles and light passenger vehicles (including cars and vans) that meet or exceed the Euro 4 standard;
  • Diesel light goods vehicles and light passenger vehicles (including cars and vans) that meet or exceed the Euro 6 standard;
  • Petrol heavy goods vehicles, coaches, buses and minibuses that meet or exceed the Euro IV standard;
  • Diesel heavy goods vehicles, coaches, buses and minibuses that meet or exceed the Euro VI standard;
  • All motorbikes and mopeds;
  • Some vehicle types and uses that are exempt.

Check if your vehicle is allowed within Scottish LEZs:
Low Emission Zones Scotland: Vehicle registration checker

Exemptions from LEZs restrictions

Several exemptions cover vehicles being used by or for people with disabilities. See details, and how to obtain the exemption, if this applies to you or your business:
Low Emission Zones Scotland: Blue badge holder exemption

There are a number of other exemptions from the LEZ vehicles’ requirements:

  • Emergency vehicles in some circumstances
  • Naval, military and air force vehicles
  • Historic vehicles
  • Showman vehicles

Find details of these exemptions in the Appendix B, Table 4, of the Glasgow City Council Low Emission Zone guidelines:
Glasgow.GOV.UK: Glasgow City Council Low Emission Zone. Appendix B: Vehicle Scope, Emission Standards, Exemptions and Penalty

Applications for time-limited exemptions, allowing for a non-compliant vehicle to enter an LEZ, may be considered - for example, for the transport of machinery or abnormal loads.

Penalties for non-compliant vehicles

Automatic number plate recognition cameras will detect if a non-compliant vehicle enters an LEZ.

There is a penalty charge for entering an LEZ with a non-compliant vehicle. The penalty is issued to the vehicle’s registered owner. The first penalty charge is £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. If the same vehicle enters the LEZ again within 90 days, the second penalty charge will be £120, and each time the vehicle re-enters an LEZ in that period the penalty amount will be double the previous one, to a maximum of £480 for cars and light goods vehicles, and of £960 for buses and HGVs.

LEZ funding support

The Energy Saving Trust administers LEZ funding support for businesses. This has included:

If any or all of these funding schemes are currently closed, you can register your interest with the Energy Saving Trust and will be notified if relevant funding becomes available in the future.

The Energy Saving Trust (Scotland) administers other green grants and loans, such as to help you buy an electric vehicle or electric bike.
Energy Saving Trust (Scotland): Grants and Loans

Scotland’s LEZs

In Scotland, there are LEZs currently in place in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. It is expected that more LEZs will be introduced, into all other Air Quality Management Areas where this is found to be appropriate.


Glasgow LEZ


Glasgow’s LEZ was introduced on 31 May 2022, and enforcement of restrictions by means of penalty charges has started on 1 June 2023.

If you are a zone resident or your home is just outside the LEZ boundary, you can apply for a resident’s grace period that lasts till the 31 May 2024. During this period LEZ enforcement rules won’t apply to you.

Glasgow’s LEZ is bordered by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south and Saltmarket / High Street to the east. The M8 is not part of the LEZ. See a map of the zone:
Glasgow LEZ interactive map

Find out all the details about Glasgow’s LEZ, including how to apply for a resident’s grace period or for a time-limited exemption, on Glasgow City Council’s webpages:


Aberdeen LEZ


Find all information about the Aberdeen LEZ on the Aberdeen City Council's website:
Aberdeen City Council: Low Emission Zone

In Aberdeen, LEZ enforcement begins on 1 June 2024.


Dundee LEZ


Find all information about the Dundee LEZ on the Dundee City Council’s website:
Dundee City Council: Dundee Low Emission Zone Scheme 

In Dundee, LEZ enforcement begins on 1 June 2024.


Edinburgh LEZ


Find all information about the Edinburgh LEZ on the City of Edinburgh Council’s website:
City of Edinburgh Council: Low Emission Zone 

In Edinburgh, LEZ enforcement begins on 1 June 2024.

Further information

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