The London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is now in operation.

LEZ emissions standards
Vehicle registration
Payments
Enforcement

Operators of both vehicles registered within Great Britain (GB) and outside of Great Britain will need to meet the required emissions standards for the LEZ.

The aim of the LEZ is to improve air quality in London by deterring the most polluting vehicles from being driven in the area. The vehicles affected are older diesel-engined trucks, buses, coaches, large vans, minibuses and other specialised vehicles that are derived from trucks and vans such as motor caravans and motorised horse boxes.

Cars, motorcycles and small vans are not included in the LEZ.

LEZ emissions standards

• From 4 February 2008, a standard of Euro III for particulate matter (PM) for lorries over 12 tonnes
• From 7 July 2008, a standard of Euro III for PM for lorries between 3.5 tonnes, buses and coaches
• From 4 October 2010, a standard of Euro 3/III for PM for larger vans and minibuses
• From 3 January 2012, a standard of Euro 4/IV for lorries over 3.5 tonnes, buses and coaches

Vehicle registration

Operators of affected vehicles registered outside of Great Britain including trucks, buses, coaches, large vans, minibuses and other specialised vehicles will have to register their vehicles by post or email with Transport for London (TfL) if they meet the required emissions standards in order to drive within the LEZ without paying a daily charge.

Registration can take a maximum of two weeks so operators are advised to register as early as possible before driving in the zone.

To register your vehicle for the LEZ you can:

• download a registration form in English and email it to us at: lezregistrations@tfl.gov.uk OR
• download a form in your chosen language.

Operators of affected vehicles that do not meet the required emissions standards and wish to travel within the LEZ will need to modify or upgrade their vehicle to meet the emissions standards. If they do not, they will need to pay a daily charge.

If you are unsure of how your vehicle is affected, you can check whether your vehicle meets the LEZ emissions standards by using the compliance check or by calling the LEZ helpline on +44 (0) 207 310 8998.

Payments

A daily charge must be paid for each day the vehicle is driven within the zone and does not meet the required emissions standards.

The charging day operates from midnight to midnight.

Charges apply every day of the year including weekends and public holidays.

Vehicle	Weight	Date affected	Daily charge
Lorries, motor caravans and horseboxes	Exceeding 12 tonnes	4 February 2008	£200
Buses and coaches	Exceeding 5 tonnes	7 July 2008
Lorries, motor caravans and horseboxes	Between 3.5 and 12 tonnes
Large vans and horseboxes	Between 1.205 unladen and 3.5 tonnes	4 October 2010	£100
Motor caravans	Between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes
Minibuses	Below 5 tonnes

Payment can be made on the Transport for London website by phone +44 (0) 207 310 8998 or by post.

Enforcement

The LEZ is enforced through fixed and mobile cameras which read your vehicle registration number plate as you drive within the LEZ.

If a vehicle is identified as not meeting the LEZ emissions standards, and the required daily charge has not been paid for the date of travel within the zone, then a Penalty Charge Notice may be issued to the registered keeper of the vehicle.

Links have been established with many of the European Vehicle Licensing Agencies and penalties will always be issued and recovered where it is possible to do so.

For further information on the London Low Emission Zone please read the information leaflet provided.

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