The London Low Emission Zone (LEZ)
What is the LEZ?
The LEZ is designed to encourage the most polluting diesel vehicles driving in London to become cleaner, says Transport for London.
It is linked to the Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy, which sets out a framework for improving London’s air quality and measures aimed at reducing emissions from transport.
The LEZ went live across Greater London on 4 February 2008. If you do not want to pay a daily charge of £200 for a HGV over 3.5-tonnes GVW, or pay a penalty fine of up to £1,000 your vehicle needs to meet a minimum of Euro-3 standards for the level of particulate matter it produces.
Where is the LEZ?
The LEZ covers nearly all roads in Greater London, including parts of the M1 and the M4. The M25 is excluded from the zone, even where it passes through the LEZ boundary).
To find out if an address is in the zone, use TfL’s address finder tool.
Changes in 2012
From 3 January 2012, emission standards are changing to a minimum of Euro-4.This means vehicles registered as new before 1 October 2006 will not meet the new standards.
How to register your vehicle
Most vehicles registered in Great Britain don't need to register with TfL.TfL has access to data from DVLA, VOSA and SMMT to determine whether a vehicle meets the LEZ emissions standards.
You will only need to register your vehicle with TfL if your vehicle is listed by TfL as not meeting emissions standards but you can provide documentary evidence that it does.
Non-GB registered vehicles that meet the required LEZ standards will need to register with TfL in advance.
To check if your vehicle is affected go to http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/lez/17700.aspx#tkt-tab-panel-3
Copies of the relevant guidance notes and LEZ vehicle registration forms can be found here. Copies of these documents can be obtained by calling 0845 607 0009 (+44 (0) 20 7310 8998 from outside the UK).
Fines and Enforcement
The LEZ is monitored by fixed and mobile cameras which read your vehicle's number plate as you drive in the zone and check it against a database of registered vehicles.
A daily charge is applicable for each day(from midnight to midnight) the vehicle is driven in the LEZ and does not meet the required emissions standards. There are no days when the LEZ does not apply.
You can pay a fine via the TfL website. The daily charge for lorries entering the zone and failing to meet emissions standards is £200.
If you do not pay the charge you are liable for a penalty charge. For lorries this is £500 paid within 14 days, £1,000 thereafter.
LEZ’s outside of London
There are no LEZ’s outside of London in the UK that are applicable to HGV’s. For international operators a pan-European guide can be found here.