Glasgow's LEZ - Key Information

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Glasgow's Low Emission Zone (LEZ) came into force on 1 June 2023.

Unless exempt, all vehicles entering the city centre zone area must meet the less-polluting emission standards or face a penalty charge

Motorcycles and mopeds are unaffected.

How Glasgow's LEZ works

Glasgow's LEZ: 

• commenced enforcement on 1 June 2023
• applies to all vehicles entering the zone, unless exempt
• operates continuously, 24 hours a day, all year round
• covers an area of the city centre bounded by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south and Saltmarket/High Street to the east
• identifies non-compliant vehicles entering the zone by using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras

You can read the full details of Glasgow's LEZ Final Scheme Design by clicking on this link (PDF, 3 MB)(opens new window).

Key Dates

Glasgow's LEZ has been phased in to give everyone time to prepare:

• Phase 1 (buses only) was introduced on 31 December 2018
• Phase 2 (all vehicles) came into force on 1 June 2023
• Enforcement for vehicles registered to a residential property within the zone area began on 1 June 2024, following the expiry of a one-year grace period.

Zone Boundary

Glasgow's LEZ is approximately one square mile in size.

It covers an area of the city centre bounded by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south and Saltmarket/High Street to the east.  

The M8 motorway is not included within Glasgow's LEZ.

Click on the links below, for further details about specific roads/streets affected by Glasgow's LEZ:

• Glasgow LEZ - Interactive Map
• Glasgow LEZ - by street/road name (PDF, 170 KB)(opens new window)
• Glasgow LEZ - technical boundary map (PDF, 4 MB)(opens new window)

Emission standards

Petrol/Diesel Vehicles:

Emission standards for LEZs in Scotland have been set in legislation at national level - these are:

• Euro 4 for petrol vehicles
• Euro 6 for diesel vehicles
• Euro IV for heavy duty petrol vehicles such as buses/coaches and HGVs
• Euro VI for heavy duty diesel vehicles such as buses/coaches and HGVs

These standards were publicly consulted on in 2018 and 2019/20 and confirmed through the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 and subsequent regulations. They are consistent with similar schemes across the UK and Europe.

For practical purposes, it is generally the case that diesel engine vehicles registered after September 2015, and petrol vehicles registered from 2006 onwards will meet the required LEZ standards. Buses and HGVs from 2013 onwards also generally meet the Euro 6 standard.

Use the Transport Scotland's vehicle registration checker to see if your vehicle will comply.

Fully electric vehicles comply with LEZ requirements in Scotland.

National LEZ Exemptions

Motorcycles and mopeds are unaffected by LEZ schemes in Scotland.

There are also a limited number of specific vehicles that are exempt from LEZ regulations:

1. Vehicles for disabled persons:

There are several exemptions which cover vehicles being used for the purposes of disabled persons, as outlined in the following circumstances:

• A vehicle registered with a 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicles' tax class.
• A vehicle receiving a reduction in annual rate of vehicle excise duty because the vehicle is being used by a disabled person in receipt of personal independence payment at the standard rate.
• Blue Badge holders

If the vehicle receives a disabled vehicle/disabled passenger vehicle tax class exemption - please email LEZ@glasgow.gov.uk to register for an exemption.

The Blue Badge holder exemption covers:

• A vehicle being driven by any person who is in receipt of a blue badge.
• A passenger in the vehicle who has been issued with a blue badge.
• A vehicle is being driven with a blue badge which has been issued to an organisation.

Blue Badge holders are exempt and can register their exemption on Transport Scotland's LEZ exemption system.

2. Emergency Vehicles:

The vehicle is being driven by any person who is:

• undertaking their duty as a constable
• providing a response to an emergency at the request of the Scottish Ambulance Service Board
• exercising the functions of the Scottish Ambulance Service Board, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Her Majesty's Coastguard or the National Crime Agency

3. Naval, Military or Air Force Vehicles:

• vehicles being used for naval, military or air force purposes

4. Historic Vehicles:

Vehicles of 'historical interest' means a vehicle which is considered to be of historical interest to the UK, and which -

• was manufactured, or registered, for the first time at least 30 years previously,
• is of a type no longer in production, and
• has been historically preserved or maintained in its original state and has not undergone substantial changes in the technical characteristics of its main components.

If your vehicle meets the above criteria, you do not need to register for an exemption.

5. Showman's Vehicles:

Vehicles described as either "showman's goods vehicle" or "showman's vehicle" according to section 62(1) of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994.

Note: these are highly specialised vehicles used for the purposes of travelling showmen, where the vehicle is used during the performance, used for the purpose of providing the performance or used for carrying performance equipment.

If your vehicle meets the above criteria for a Showman's vehicle please email LEZ@glasgow.gov.uk to register for an exemption.

Time-Limited (Temporary) Exemptions

Glasgow's LEZ scheme allows for applications for a time-limited (temporary) exemption under circumstances where entry of a non-compliant vehicle is required for a specific, defined purpose not considered in legislation or regulations.

Privately owned vehicles will not be considered for time-limited exemptions.

Applications will be determined on their individual merits. Examples of this may be but are not limited to:

• abnormal loads or machinery transport
• historic vehicles or vehicles of particular speciality not covered by other exemptions and used for a specific purpose
• any other non-compliant vehicle use deemed appropriate on application to the council

Applications for time-limited exemptions will not normally be considered for the routine transport of people or goods or for routine commercial operations. However, the council may apply a time-limited exemption, by reference to the vehicle's use, upon consideration of an application.

It is expected that any exemptions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

Time-limited exemptions can be granted for up to a year and may be subject to conditions or restrictions as deemed appropriate by the council.

The application form is available by clicking on this link.

Public Hire Taxi Operators:

There is a separate application process for public hire taxi operators who require an extension to an existing time-limited exemption. The online application form can be accessed by clicking on this link.

Temporary Suspension of Glasgow's LEZ

The council can temporarily suspend the zone (in full or in part) for events of local/national significance.

We will determine any need to suspend Glasgow's LEZ for events on a case-by-case in consultation with the Scottish Government.

We may also suspend Glasgow's LEZ in emergency situations such as if an incident on a nearby road requires traffic to be temporarily diverted through the zone area.

Any emergency suspension will be determined by the council.

Zone Residents (Grace Period)

Zone residents have had extra time to prepare for Glasgow's LEZ.

Enforcement for vehicles registered to a residential property within the LEZ area began on 1 June 2024, following the expiry of a one-year grace period.

We issued several letters to zone residents in the run-up to full scheme enforcement. We did this to ensure that zone residents' were aware of the grace period and when it would expire.

It is not possible to extend the residents' grace period.

Operation and Enforcement

As emissions at all times contribute towards the levels of harmful nitrogen dioxide in our city centre, Glasgow's LEZ is in operation continuously.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras linked to a national vehicle licensing database monitor vehicles driving into Glasgow's Low Emission Zone. 

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.

Statutory roadside signage was erected at all entry points into the LEZ at the end of 2022, with supplementary on-road markings also applied at suitable locations. 

Transport Scotland installed signage on the M8 so that those exiting the motorway for the city centre are aware of the zone area. 

Penalties

You cannot pay to enter a LEZ.

If a non-compliant vehicle is detected in Glasgow's LEZ, a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) will be issued to the registered keeper of that vehicle.

A maximum of one PCN will be issued to the vehicle's registered keeper for breaching LEZ rules in any one day.

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.

All revenue (above that incurred in running the LEZ scheme itself) can only be used for activities that help reduce air pollution and/or contribute toward achieving our climate change targets.

Funding Support

Find out more about the financial support available in Scotland and how you can apply by visiting the Energy Saving Trust website.

This includes support to move away from older, more polluting vehicles, moving to electric vehicles, or installing charge points.

Specifically, the LEZ Support Fund provides households and micro-businesses with financial support to travel more sustainably and meet the established air quality standards. Delivered through Energy Saving Trust, the LEZ Support Fund is means-tested and offers help to those most affected by the introduction of LEZs.

Active/Sustainable Travel Options

Active Travel

Active travel is a fantastic way to avoid driving into Glasgow's LEZ and is beneficial to your health and fitness. If you don't have far to travel, you could consider walking or cycling to your destination.

If your journey is longer, why not walk or cycle to the bus stop, railway station or other form of public transport?

Don't have access to a cycle? Why not consider Glasgow's hugely popular cycle hire scheme. 

Other useful resources include:

• Transport Scotland's Active Travel site
• Paths for All's Health Walks
• Living Street's Family Walk to School Kit
• Cycling Scotland's Essential Cycling Skills guide
• Sustrans' map of the National Cycle Network

Public Transport

Glasgow has a comprehensive public transport system which can be used as an alternative to the car.

Find out more from SPT, ScotRail and Traveline Scotland.

Car Sharing

As a Co-wheels member, you can have access to cars in Glasgow, as well as hundreds more right across the UK. Cars are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be booked by the hour, day or as long as you want.

The cars are conveniently located in reserved on-street parking bays across Glasgow.

To support the operation of Glasgow's LEZ, funding from Transport Scotland has ensured that all Co-wheels vehicles available for hire in the city centre LEZ zone are now fully electric.

FREE Eco Stars Scheme - Helping Businesses Reduce Emissions

ECO Stars is the FREE recognition scheme that aims to help fleet operators improve efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and emissions whilst achieving cost savings.

The initiative is operated on behalf of the council by TRL and is available for fleets of any size. 

Membership has shown in numerous case studies to have had a dramatic improvement in fuel efficiency which saves money and reduces environmental impact.

Case Studies:

Read the case studies below to see how Eco Stars can help your business or organisation:

• Community Transport Champion NATA is an Air Quality Eco Star
• McLays Foods Embraces Eco Stars Scheme to Reduce Vehicle Emissions

Improving Glasgow's Air Quality

Whilst Glasgow's air quality has much improved in recent years, there remains an ongoing commitment to achieving the best air quality possible to benefit the health of city residents and visitors.

Our recently refreshed Air Quality Action Plan (PDF, 963 KB)(opens new window) updates the actions the council will take between now and 2029 to minimise emissions from road traffic which are the main source of the harmful pollutant, nitrogen dioxide. The Action Plan's priority actions include:

• A review of air quality monitoring - with a focus around schools, hospitals and care homes.
• The continuation of vehicle idling awareness campaigns and enforcement.
• Supporting the development and implementation of transport strategies which benefit air quality.
• Supporting the expansion of our active travel network to encourage more walking, wheeling and cycling.

The Plan also supports the acceleration of heat networks to reduce pollution from fossil fuel.

Other initiatives such as electric vehicle charge points and car clubs also help to promote sustainable and low emission transport options.

Similarly, Glasgow's Transport Strategy (PDF, 4 MB)(opens new window) strives to improve air quality through sustainable transport investment and decision-making, whilst also supporting the delivery of a Clyde Metro following its emergence as a key recommendation as a future transport priority in the Scottish Government's second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

Air quality improvement is also embedded within policies such as our Climate Plan (PDF, 15 MB)(opens new window), Active Travel Strategy and City Centre Transport Plan, all of which encourage walking, wheeling and cycling and more sustainable forms of travel for everyday journeys.