Low Emission Zone (LEZ) Penalty Charge Notices

To reduce levels of harmful vehicle emissions in our city centre, Glasgow's Low Emission Zone (LEZ) came into force on 1 June 2023.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras linked to a national vehicle licencing database monitors vehicles driving into Glasgow's Low Emission Zone. They detect vehicles which do not comply with the required emission standards.

When a non-compliant vehicle is detected in the zone, a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) will be issued to the registered keeper of the vehicle.

There are some exemptions and zone residents have extra time to comply.

You can find out more information about the operation of Glasgow's LEZ here.

Who can drive into Glasgow's LEZ?

Only vehicles which meet LEZ emission standards can drive into Glasgow's LEZ - otherwise a Penalty Charge Notice will be issued to the registered keeper. 

Some vehicles are exempt from LEZ requirements however, including vehicles for disabled persons.

Blue Badge holders who require exemptions can register their details on Transport Scotland's LEZ exemption system.

Motorcycles and mopeds are unaffected by LEZ schemes in Scotland.

A grace period for zone residents means that vehicles registered to a residential property within the zone area do not need to meet LEZ requirements until 1 June 2024. This grace period is not applied automatically however. More information can be found here.

What happens if I am caught driving into Glasgow's LEZ in a vehicle that does not meet LEZ requirements?

The registered keeper of the vehicle can expect to receive a Penalty Charge Notice. It will contain details of the alleged contravention, details of the vehicle and photographs that in the authority's opinion establish the contravention.

How much do I have to pay?

Set at national level by the Scottish Government for consistency across cities, the initial penalty charge for all non-compliant vehicles entering a LEZ in Scotland is £60.

A scheme surcharge means that the penalty charge amount will double with each subsequent breach of the rules by the same vehicle detected in the same LEZ. Surcharging will only apply however after the first (or previous PCN) can be expected to have been received by the vehicle's registered keeper.  

Penalty charge rates are capped at £480 for cars and light goods vehicles, and £960 for buses and HGVs.  Any further breaches of LEZ rules by the same vehicle detected in the same LEZ once this cap is reached will result in future PCNs issued at the capped penalty charge rate.

Where there are no further breaches of the rules detected within the 90 days following a previous violation, the penalty rate will be reset to the base tier charge of £60.

All PCNs will be reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days.

Is there a right of appeal against a LEZ Penalty Charge Notice?

There is a right of appeal. The regulations set out the grounds on which the registered keeper can make representations to us; these are listed on the Penalty Charge Notice.

Appeals against a Penalty Charge Notice may be made here.

You can make representations against the Charge Notice within 28 days, beginning with the date of service. If you make representations outwith this period then they may be rejected. We will send you a response. It will be either a "Notice of Acceptance" or a "Notice of Rejection."

If we reject your representation, you have the right to appeal to an independent adjudicator namely, the First Tier Tribunals, Transport Appeals. We will enclose the appropriate form to enable you to appeal to them with the "Notice of Rejection". If the Parking and Bus Lane Tribunal Service rejects your appeal, the amount payable will be the full amount of the relevant penalty charge.

Do not ignore a LEZ Penalty Charge Notice

It will carry additional charges if it is not paid (or contested) promptly.

• If payment remains outstanding 28 days after a 'Charge Notice' has been issued or after an appeal or representation has been refused we may issue a 'Charge Certificate' increasing the penalty by a further 50% of the original charge.
• Upon the issue of a Charge Certificate, your right of appeal has been removed. If the Notice remains unpaid, it may be passed to our debt recovery agent for further action.

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