Glasgow LEZ in force from tomorrow, 1 June

Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) will to come into force tomorrow (1 June 2023.)

All vehicles, including PCVs, entering the city centre will need to meet the less-polluting emission standards or face a penalty charge. Diesel buses and coaches will need to meet Euro VI standards to avoid being charged.

The initial penalty charge for all non-compliant vehicles entering a LEZ in Scotland will be £60. A scheme surcharge however 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 start however after the first penalty charge notice (PCN) at the initial base tier of £60 is issued. Penalty charge rates are capped at £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.

Certain vehicle types are also exempt from LEZ emission requirements in Scotland, including vehicles of ‘historic interest’. This encapsulates PCVs manufactured, or registered, for the first time at least 30 years ago; 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.

In exceptional circumstances, Glasgow’s LEZ scheme will allow for time-limited (temporary) exemptions of up to one year. You can find out more and access the application process by clicking here.