LEZ Information Leaflet

The information contained below is taken directly from Transport for London's information leaflet ‘Where can I find out more about the LEZ'. This leaflet does contain some information and guidance which is specific to vehicles registered in the United Kingdom.

Introduction

The LEZ covers most of Greater London. To drive within it without paying a daily charge, your vehicle must meet certain emissions standards that limit the amount of particulate matter coming from its exhaust. Particulate matter is a type of pollution which can contribute to asthma, heart and lung disease, other respiratory illnesses and even early death.

If your vehicle doesn't meet the LEZ emissions standards, you can still drive within the LEZ by paying a daily charge. But we would prefer you to reduce your emissions.

The Low Emission Zone at a glance

The LEZ applies to diesel lorries, buses, coaches, motor caravans, horseboxes, large vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles. Cars and motorcycles are not affected.
Your vehicle must meet certain emissions standards if you want to drive within the LEZ, or you'll need to pay a daily charge.
The LEZ emissions standards are changing from 3 January 2012 and more vehicles will be affected
The LEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including weekends and public holidays.
The LEZ covers most of Greater London. All roads within Greater London, those at Heathrow and parts of the M1 and M4 motorways within the Greater London Authority boundary are included.
The M25 motorway is not included in the LEZ (even where it passes within the GLA boundary).

Remember, the LEZ is not the same as the central London Congestion Charge zone. The Congestion Charge applies 7am–6pm, Monday–Friday, excluding bank holidays. If you drive within the Congestion Charge zone during these times you will have to pay the Congestion Charge, even if you meet the LEZ emissions standards or have paid the LEZ daily charge.

How will TfL know if I've driven within the LEZ?

The LEZ covers most of Greater London. Look out for signs at the boundary and side of the road to show where it applies. There are no barriers or tollbooths. Cameras will read your number plate as you drive within the LEZ and check it against a database. This tells us automatically whether your vehicle meets the LEZ emission standards, is exempt, is registered for a discount or you have already paid the daily charge.

If you're driving a vehicle registered outside of Great Britain, you'll need to register it with TfL to let us know that it meets the emission standards. If you meet the standards but drive within the LEZ without registering, you will have to pay the daily charge or you may incur a penalty charge.

Larger vans, minibuses and other specialist diesel vehicles

From 3 January 2012, larger vans, minibuses and other specialist diesel vehicles will be affected by the LEZ for the first time. If you own this type of vehicle, it must meet certain emissions standards to be driven within the LEZ without paying a daily charge. It doesn't matter whether the vehicle is used for commercial or private purposes – it will still need to meet the standards.

What emissions standards should my vehicle meet?

The European Union sets limits, known as Euro standards, on the amount of pollution emitted by a vehicle's exhaust. Your vehicle will need to meet the Euro 3 standard for particulate matter from 3 January 2012.

How do I know if my vehicle meets the emissions standards?

You can use the age and weight of your vehicle as indicators. Take a look at the table below. The vehicle types listed do not meet the Euro 3 standards. If your vehicle is one of them, you'll need to take action soon if you want to drive within the LEZ from 3 January 2012.

Vehicle types that will not meet the LEZ emissions standards in 2012
Vehicle type	Weight	Age
Larger vans; 4x4 light utility vehicles; Motorised horseboxes; Pickups	1.205 tonnes unladen to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight	Registered as new before 1 January 2002 For GB registered vehicles – You'll find the exact date your vehicle was first registered on your V5 certificate (the official registration document).
Ambulances; Motorcaravans	2.5 to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight
Minibuses (more than 8 passenger seats)	5 tonnes or less gross vehicle weight

If your vehicle was first registered as new with the DVLA on or after 1 January 2002, it will meet the Euro 3 standard and you won't need to take any action.

If you're unsure whether your vehicle meets the emission standards go to tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon or call (+44) 20 7310 8998

Lorries, buses, coaches and other specialist heavy vehicles

If you want to drive a lorry, bus, coach or other specialist heavy vehicle within the LEZ without paying a daily charge, it must meet certain emissions standards. These standards are changing from 3 January 2012, so even if your vehicle meets the current standards, you may need to take action soon to meet the new standards in time. It doesn't matter whether the vehicle is used for commercial or private purposes – it will still need to meet the standards.

What are the current emissions standards?

The European Union sets limits, known as Euro standards, on the amount of pollution emitted by a vehicle's exhaust. Until 2 January 2012, your vehicle has to meet the current heavy duty Euro III standard for particulate matter.

Does my vehicle meet the current standards?

Your vehicle will meet the current Euro III standard for particulate matter if:

It was first registered as new with the DVLA on or after 1 October 2001.
You have a valid Low Emission Certificate (LEC) or a Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC) for fitting an approved partial or full filter or converting to an approved gas engine, or you are driving an older vehicle with an Eligible Engine – a pre-October 2001 engine that meets Euro III standards for particulate matter.

You'll find a list of Eligible Engines and more information at tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon.

You can drive within the LEZ now, but may need to take action to meet the new standards by 3 January 2012.

What's changing?

From 3 January 2012, the required emissions standards will be tightened to Euro IV for particulate matter. If your vehicle doesn't meet these standards, you'll need to take action.

If your vehicle has been previously fitted with a partial filter or has an eligible engine, it will no longer meet the standards from 2012. If your vehicle currently has a valid RPC or LEC, it will only be valid from 2012 if you have received it because your vehicle is fitted with a full filter. All other LECs and RPCs will only be valid for entry into the zone until 2 January 2012.

How do I know if my vehicle meets the new standards?

You can use the age and weight of your vehicle as indicators. Take a look at the table opposite. The vehicles listed do not meet the Euro IV standards. If your vehicle is one of them, you'll need to take action soon if you want to drive within the LEZ from 3 January 2012.

Vehicle types that will not meet the LEZ emissions standards in 2012
Vehicle type	Weight	Age
Lorries; Breakdown and recovery vehicles; Concrete mixers; Fire engines; Gritters; Motorcaravans; Motorised horseboxes; Refuse collection vehicles: Removals lorries; Road sweepers; Snow ploughs; Tippers	More than 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight	Registered as new before 1 October 2006 For GB registered vehicles –You'll find the exact date your vehicle was first registered on your V5 certificate (the official registration document).
Buses; Coaches (more than 8 passenger seats)	More than 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight

If your vehicle was first registered as new with the DVLA on or after 1 October 2006, it will meet the Euro IV emissions standards and you won't need to take any action.

If you're unsure whether your vehicle meets the emissions standards go to tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon or call (+44) 20 7310 8998.

What can I do if my vehicle doesn't meet the LEZ emission standards?

If your vehicle doesn't meet the LEZ emissions standards, you have a number of options. We'd recommend you take action as soon as possible, as some take longer than others.

Fit an approved filter

You may be able to reduce your emissions enough to meet the LEZ emissions standards by fitting an approved filter to your exhaust. Ordering a filter, getting it fitted and certified takes at least three months, so you should do this as early as possible.

Selecting a filter

It's important to fit an approved filter as this is the only way to obtain the certificate to prove that your vehicle meets the LEZ emissions standards (see below). If an unapproved filter is fitted you'll still be liable for the daily charge. You'll find a list of approved suppliers and filters at tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon.

Getting it certified

Once your filter is fitted it will need to be tested so the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) can issue either a Low Emission Certificate (LEC) or Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC). LECs are issued to all types of vehicle, but RPCs are only issued to some lorries, buses, coaches or other specialist heavy vehicles.

For UK vehicles you can get your vehicle tested at a VOSA test station or by an Authorised Examiner (AE), who will inform VOSA if your vehicle meets the emissions standards. You'll need to repeat the test and renew your certification annually. But please note that AEs can only test filters the year they are fitted – after that you'll need to go to a VOSA test centre.

Once VOSA issues a certificate, they automatically inform TfL but it can take up to 10 days to update our database. So you should allow enough time before driving within the LEZ, or pay the daily charge in the meantime.

To locate your nearest test centre and find out more about booking a test, call VOSA on 0300 123 9000.

Your approved filter supplier should be able to direct you to your nearest AE.

Upgrade your vehicle

You may choose to upgrade to a new (or newer) model that does meet the LEZ emissions standards.

Reorganise your fleet

If you operate a fleet of vehicles, you could reorganise it so that only vehicles meeting the LEZ emissions standards are driven within the LEZ.

Convert to gas

You can convert your vehicle to run on pure gas with a spark ignition, using an approved conversion. If your vehicle is registered in Great Britain, you'll need to register the conversion with the DVLA and obtain a certificate from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

Please note that vehicles converted to run on biodiesel do not meet the required emissions standard.

Pay the daily charge

If your vehicle does not meet the LEZ emissions standards you will need to pay the daily charge. However, we would strongly encourage you to make sure your vehicle meets the standards instead.

Do I need to register my vehicle?

Most vehicles do not need to register with TfL before driving within the LEZ but some do.

If your vehicle is registered anywhere outside Great Britain (including Northern Ireland)

You will need to register your vehicle with TfL if:

Your vehicle meets the LEZ emission standards.
Your vehicle qualifies for an exemption or discount.
Your vehicle is NI-registered and has been issued with a Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC).

If your vehicle is registered in Great Britain

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. See how your vehicle is listed at tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon.
You are a showman with a modified or specially constructed vehicle.

What if I've already registered my vehicle with TfL?

Larger vans, minibus and other specialist diesel vehicles
If you've previously registered your vehicle with TfL as meeting the Euro 3 standards for particulate matter, you don't need to re-register.
Lorries, buses, coaches and other specialist heavy vehicles
Please note that the LEZ emissions standards for heavy vehicles are changing from 3 January 2012. If you previously registered your vehicle with TfL as meeting Euro III standards for particulate matter, you'll need to ensure you meet the new Euro IV standards and re-register.

If you've previously registered your vehicle with TfL as meeting the Euro IV standards for particulate matter, you don't need to re-register.
Showman's vehicles
If you've previously registered with TfL, you don't need to re-register.

How do I register?

Registering your vehicle is simple and completely free. It can take up to 10 working days though, so be sure to allow enough time before driving within the LEZ.

Step 1.	Complete and print the registration form (available in most European languages) from epcplc.com/lezlondon or tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon or call 0343 222 1111 (UK) or (+44) 20 7310 8998 (overseas).
Step 2.	Complete a separate form for each vehicle you want to register.
Step 3.	Return your completed form to: Low Emission Zone, PO Box 343, Darlington, DL1 9QD, UK Or lezlondon@tfl.gov.uk.
Remember to include any requested documentary evidence to verify your vehicle's emission standards, filters that have been fitted or eligibility for exemptions or discounts.
Step 4.	We'll send you an email or letter, advising whether your registration has been successful. If you drive within the LEZ before you've received this confirmation you'll need to pay the daily charge.

Are there any exemptions or discounts?

Exemptions

Only a small number of vehicles are entitled to an exemption or 100% discount from the LEZ.

Specialist non-road going vehicles designed and built for mainly off-road use, but which may use the road for limited purposes. These include agricultural and forestry tractors, mowing machines, agricultural and farm machinery and equipment, mobile cranes and road and building construction machinery.
Historic vehicles built before 1 January 1973.
Vehicles operated by the Ministry of Defence.

If your vehicle meets any of the above criteria and is registered in Great Britain, you are automatically exempt and do not need to register with TfL.

If your vehicle meets any of the above criteria but is registered outside Great Britain (including Northern Ireland) you are also exempt, but will need to register with TfL.

Discount for showman's vehicles

Showman's vehicles are eligible for a 100% discount from the LEZ daily charge if:

They are registered to a person following the business of a travelling showman AND have been modified or specially constructed. For further information, go to tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon.

If your vehicle meets the above criteria, you'll need to register with TfL to qualify for the discount. This applies to both GB and non-GB vehicles.

What is the daily charge?

If your vehicle does not meet the required LEZ emissions standards, you must pay a daily charge for each day it's driven within the LEZ. The charging day operates from midnight to midnight. Charges apply every day of the year, including weekends and public holidays.

Vehicle	Weight	Daily charge
Larger vans; 4x4 light utility vehicles; Motorised horseboxes; Pickups	1.205 tonnes unladen - 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight	£100
Ambulances; Motorcaravans	2.5 to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight
Minibuses (more than 8 passenger seats)	5 tonnes or less gross vehicle weight
Lorries; Breakdown and recovery vehicles; Concrete mixers; Fire engines; Gritters; Motorcaravans; Motorised horseboxes; Refuse collection vehicles; Removals lorries; Road sweepers; Snow ploughs; Tippers	More than 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight	£200
Buses; Coaches (more than 8 passenger seats)	More than 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight	£200

Paying the daily charge

When can I pay?

Payment can be made up to 64 working days before the day of travel, on the day of travel, or up to midnight on the first working day after travelling within the LEZ. The charge is the same on whichever of these days you pay.

Please note that the charging hours run from midnight to midnight. So if you were to enter the LEZ at 23:30 and exit at 01:00 the next day, you'd need to pay for two days.

Can I pay for more than one vehicle at a time?

Yes, if you know in advance which vehicles will be driven within the LEZ on which days.

How do I pay?

You can pay the daily charge in the following ways:

Online – credit card or debit card, go to tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon
Online payments can be made 24 hours a day – please remember to make a note of your receipt number. You can also request a receipt by post or email.
By phone – credit card or debit card
Simply call 0343 222 1111 (UK) or (+44) 20 7310 8998 (overseas).

Lines are open 06:00-00:30, Sunday-Friday / 6:00-22:00 Saturday. Or you can set up an LEZ customer account with TfL to access our 24-hour automated telephone payment system.
By post – cheque
You'll need to complete a ‘Paying the Low Emission Zone Charge' postal form. Download this at tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon or call (+44) 20 7310 8998. Payments should be sent to Low Emission Zone, PO Box 343, Darlington, DL1 9QD, UK.

Remember to allow at least 10 days before your date of travel to allow time for your payment to clear.

However you pay, please make sure that you give the correct number plate and date of travel. If you don't, you might be issued with a penalty charge notice.

What if I've hired a vehicle?

If you intend to drive within the LEZ, you should check with your hire company that the vehicle meets the LEZ emissions standards. If it doesn't, and the hire company hasn't made an arrangement to pay the daily charge, you will need to pay it.

What is a penalty charge notice?

We may issue you with a penalty charge notice if:

You drive within the LEZ in a vehicle that doesn't meet the LEZ emissions standards, and don't pay the daily charge by midnight the next working day.
You are driving a vehicle that needs to be registered with TfL and haven't done so.
You give the wrong number plate or date of travel when paying the charge.

The amount of the penalty charge notice depends on the type of vehicle you're driving and how soon you can pay it. You may receive separate penalty charge notices for each charging day that you drive within the LEZ (remember that the charging day runs from midnight to midnight). Penalty charge notices are issued to non-GB registered vehicles through our dedicated debt recovery agency.

You can pay a penalty charge online at tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon by calling (+44) 20 7310 8998 or by post.

Vehicle	Weight	Penalty charge	Penalty charge
Larger vans; 4x4 light utility vehicles; Motorised horseboxes; Pickups	Larger vans, minibuses and other specialist diesel vehicles	£500	£250
Ambulances; Motorcaravans	2.5 to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight
Minibuses (more than 8 passenger seats)	5 tonnes or less gross vehicle weight
Lorries; Breakdown and recovery vehicles; Concrete mixers; Fire engines; Gritters; Motorcaravans; Motorised horseboxes; Refuse collection vehicles; Removals lorries; Road sweepers; Snow ploughs; Tippers	More than 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight	£1,000	£500
Buses; Coaches (more than 8 passenger seats)	More than 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight	£1,000	£500

Can I challenge a penalty charge notice?

Yes, by following the representations and appeals process. You'll receive full details of this with your penalty charge notice. If your initial representation is rejected, you can also make an appeal to the London Tribunals, which is completely independent. If you believe a penalty charge notice is incorrect, please let TfL know immediately.

What if I don't pay it?

If you don't pay your penalty charge notice or make a representation within 28 calendar days, it'll increase to £1,500 or £750 (depending on vehicle size). After that the debt may be passed on to a bailiff agency, which could increase it further.

Recovery of unpaid penalties to non-GB registered vehicles is undertaken by a dedicated European debt recovery agency.

For full details of the enforcement process, go to tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon.

Where can I find out more about the LEZ?

If you have any questions that aren't answered, please
Visit tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon
Call 0343 222 1111* (UK) or (+44) 20 7310 8998** (overseas)
Or write to Low Emission Zone, PO Box 343, Darlington, DL1 9QD, UK.

This leaflet is also available in other languages on request.

*Calls from BT landlines cost up to 4p per minute. The cost of calls from other lines may vary.
**International call rates apply.