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    Edinburgh LEZ – the Motorway guide

    On 19th May 2022, Edinburgh city centre’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was implemented. The goal behind the scheme, approved by Scottish ministers, is to help reduce harmful emissions within the zone and across the whole city, and it’s part of Edinburgh’s efforts towards Scotland’s target of achieving net zero by 2045.

    Edinburgh LEZ
    The Edinburgh LEZ was introduced on 31st May 2022 and enforced from 1st June 2023.

    Following a two-year grace period during which drivers are not penalised for non-compliance, enforcement will start on 1st June 2024. Aberdeen and Dundee have also introduced a LEZ, while Glasgow became the first of the Scottish Low Emission Zones to start charging non-compliant drivers in June 2023.

    For many who routinely drive a non-compliant vehicle within the Edinburgh LEZ, the best solution to avoid future charges would be to sell their car.

    Learn more about the Edinburgh LEZ penalty charges below. For more information about Clean Air Zones (CAZs) and Low Emissions Zones (LEZs) across the UK, read our ultimate guide.

    When does Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) start?

    The Scottish government formally introduced the Edinburgh LEZ on 31st May 2022. Although the Edinburgh LEZ is already officially in place, enforcement of it hasn’t yet started. 

    From 1st June 2024, when the two-year grace period ends, all non-compliant vehicles registered to a residential property within the zone could be penalised, along with all other eligible driver types. Read about exemptions and exceptions below.

    Where is the Edinburgh LEZ and when is it enforced?

    The LEZ boundary circles Edinburgh’s city centre with a 1.2 square mile area.

    This area runs from Queen Street in the New Town, down to Melville Drive on the other side of the Meadows. From the west end, it’ll stretch from Palmerston Place over to Abbeyhill in the east. The LEZ doesn’t include the streets on the boundary. 

    All vehicles, including non-compliant cars, can drive outside of the boundary without incurring penalty charges. 

    Within the Edinburgh LEZ, there are Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. These cameras run vehicle registrations against the national database to check whether they’re compliant with the emission regulations.

    Edinburgh LEZ map
    Edinburgh LEZ map.  https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/

    What vehicles are charged in the Edinburgh LEZ?

    The compliance standards for the Edinburgh LEZ are the same as in all other Clean Air Zones of the UK. All petrol engine vehicles must comply with Euro 4 emissions standards, all diesel with Euro 6, and when it comes to HGVs, they need to follow Euro VI protocols. These labels rate the levels of pollutants emitted by different engine designs.

    Vehicles that comply with these standards won’t be fined in the Edinburgh LEZ or any other upcoming LEZ in Scotland. Motorcycles and mopeds won’t be subject to LEZ restrictions in the capital either.

    Vehicle typeLEZ compliance standard
    Vans, minibuses, taxis, private hire vehicles, carsEuro 4 (petrol engine) and Euro 6 (diesel engine)
    Buses, coaches, heavy goods vehiclesEuro V1
    Ultra-low emission vehiclesAutomatically compliant
    The Edinburgh LEZ compliance minimum standards by vehicle type.

    Does the Edinburgh LEZ issue charges, fines, or penalties?

    Drivers in Edinburgh will benefit from the non-charging grace period. From 1st June 2024, if your vehicle is non-compliant, you’ll get a fine in the form of a penalty charge notice (PCN).

    If you’re the registered keeper of a non-compliant vehicle that enters the Edinburgh LEZ, you’ll be sent a Penalty Charge Notice of £60 through the post. This’ll get reduced to £30 if it’s paid within a fortnight of the issue date.  

    Non-compliant vehicles will get a penalty straight away if they drive within an LEZ in Scotland. There’s not an option to pay a daily charge for non-exempt vehicles. These rules differ from London’s ULEZ and other CAZs in the UK.

    If you do receive a penalty from a LEZ in Scotland, you won’t get a criminal record. However, the more breaches detected by the ANPR cameras, the more money you’ll have to pay.

    Edinburgh LEZ fines, by vehicle registrationAmount payable
    First penalty£60 (halved to £30 when paid within 14 days)
    Second penalty£120
    Third penalty£240
    Fourth penalty and beyond£480
    The Edinburgh LEZ vehicle charges

    Has enforcement of Edinburgh’s LEZ begun?

    Most new diesel and petrol vehicles will automatically be compliant with the Euro 4 and Euro 6 standards required by the Edinburgh LEZ. 

    It’s always worth double-checking your vehicle’s status, but almost all petrol engines have been rated at least Euro 4 standard since 2006. Euro 6 has been the standard for diesel since 2016. 

    Switching to a hybrid or electric vehicle is recommended before the 2035 switchover. This is a good way to avoid emission charges, changes to tax categories, and other costs linked to fuel type.If you’re buying a used vehicle, information about its Euro rating can be found in the V5C logbook. You can also put the associated reg through a compliance checker, such as Motorway’s ULEZ checker.

    What vehicles are compliant with the Edinburgh LEZ?

    Most new diesel and petrol vehicles will automatically be compliant with the Euro 4 and Euro 6 standards required by the Edinburgh LEZ. 

    It’s always worth double-checking your vehicle’s status, but almost all petrol engines have been rated at least Euro 4 standard since 2006. Euro 6 has been the standard for diesel since 2016. 

    Switching to a hybrid or electric vehicle is recommended before the 2035 switchover. This is a good way to avoid emission charges, changes to tax categories, and other costs linked to fuel type.

    If you’re buying a used vehicle, information about its Euro rating can be found in the V5C logbook. You can also put the associated reg through a compliance checker, such as Motorway’s ULEZ checker.

    Are there grants for getting a compliant vehicle in Edinburgh?

    Yes, Scotland launched a Low Emission Zone Support Fund in 2021 and so far over £8 million in funding has been allocated to grants. These are issued to residents and small businesses who are within 20km of a LEZ and can’t otherwise afford to upgrade or retrofit their vehicles. 

    Read more about grants for households and microbusinesses to get compliant vehicles in our guide to Scottish LEZ.

    There are certain vehicle categories that are exempt from the Edinburgh LEZ.
    There are certain vehicle categories that are exempt from the Edinburgh LEZ.

    Does the Edinburgh LEZ have exemptions or exceptions?

    Blue Badge holders can apply for an exemption from LEZ charges if their vehicle isn’t LEZ compliant.

    The categories of vehicles exempt from the Edinburgh LEZ penalties are as follows:

    Vehicles exempt from the Edinburgh LEZ 
    Motorcycles and mopeds
    Disabled tax class or disabled passenger tax class
    Police vehicles
    Ambulance and emergency service vehicles
    Scottish Fire and Rescue
    His Majesty’s Coastguard
    Military vehicles
    Registered historic vehicles
    Registered Showman’s vehicles
    Vehicles that are exempt from Scotland’s LEZ penalty

    How to check if my vehicle is compliant with Scotland’s LEZ?

    Simply enter your reg in our ULEZ Checker to check if your petrol car, van, or minivan is compliant with Euro 4 emissions standards, or that your diesel car, van, or minivan is compliant with Euro 6.

    London’s ULEZ and the Edinburgh LEZ have the same compliance criteria, so you can use our ULEZ Checker to make sure you can drive through regulated cities in Scotland without being subject to penalties.

    How to sell a non-compliant vehicle?

    If your vehicle isn’t compliant with the Edinburgh LEZ, the good news is – you can still sell it, in order to fund the purchase of a compliant vehicle. It may also be a great time to sell, due to the Edinburgh LEZ increasing your compliant vehicle’s value. 

    If you’re looking to sell a compliant or non-compliant vehicle, Motorway provides a simple – and free – way of getting the best price when selling, no matter the model.

    Sell on Motorway and our network of 5,000+ verified car dealers compete to give you their best price.

    Simply enter your reg on the homepage and you’ll get an instant estimated sale price based on up-to-the-minute market data. Then, just answer a few easy questions about your car. You’ll be guided through the steps to complete your vehicle profile, including taking the right photos of your car. You can do it from your phone in a matter of minutes.

    If you choose to enter your car into a daily sale, it’ll be shown to our nationwide network of more than 5,000 verified dealers looking to add to their stock of used cars. Interested dealers will then compete to buy your car, offering you their best price.

    In as little as 24 hours you’ll receive your best offer – and, if you choose to go ahead with the sale, your car will be collected for free by the dealer and the money will be quickly and securely transferred to your bank account.

    Selling your car?

    Read about everything you need to know about how to sell your car with more guides here. There’s a lot to learn as Clean Air Zones and emissions standards in the UK change in the run-up to 2035.

    Sell your car the Motorway way

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