Low Emission Zones, Clean Air Zones, Ultra Low Emission Zones - What you Need to Know
Low Emission Zones
A low emission zone (LEZ) is a geographically defined area in which the most polluting vehicles are restricted or discouraged from being used. It is thought by setting a minimum emissions standard for vehicles, air quality can be improved.
Within the UK, there are LEZ’s in the following cities:
Except for London, the LEZs within the above cities only apply to buses, but it is expected in the future other vehicles will be subject to meeting certain emissions standards.
Within the UK, there are LEZ’s in the following cities:
- Brighton
- Glasgow
- London
- Norwich
- Oxford
Except for London, the LEZs within the above cities only apply to buses, but it is expected in the future other vehicles will be subject to meeting certain emissions standards.
London's Low Emission Zone & Ultra Low Emission Zone
London’s LEZ covers HGV’s, lorries, vans, buses, coaches, minibuses and other specialist diesel vehicles driven within Greater London. Tougher LEZ emissions standards for heavy diesel vehicles will be effective from 1st March 2021. Click here to view the upcoming changes.
London’s ULEZ is separate to the LEZ and covers all vehicles driven within the central London area, but this area will expand on 25th October 2021.
Click here to find out if your vehicle meets the current emissions standards required for the ULEZ and/or LEZ, or if you need to pay a daily charge.
London’s ULEZ is separate to the LEZ and covers all vehicles driven within the central London area, but this area will expand on 25th October 2021.
Click here to find out if your vehicle meets the current emissions standards required for the ULEZ and/or LEZ, or if you need to pay a daily charge.
Clean Air Zones
The first Clean Air Zones will be launched in Bath and Birmingham in early 2021. If your vehicle exceeds emissions standards you may have to pay a charge if you drive through the zone.
You’re automatically entitled to a national exemption, and do not have to pay a charge, if you have a:
Click on the below cities to find out more about local exemptions for driving in:
Bath
Birmingham
You’re automatically entitled to a national exemption, and do not have to pay a charge, if you have a:
- vehicle that’s ultra low emission
- disabled passenger tax class vehicle
- military vehicle
- historic vehicle
- vehicle retrofitted with technology accredited by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS)
Click on the below cities to find out more about local exemptions for driving in:
Bath
Birmingham
Types of Clean Air Zones
There are four types of Clean Air Zone, Class A to D.
Class |
Vehicle Type |
A |
Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles |
B |
Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles |
C |
Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses (e.g. Bath is expected to be Class C) |
D |
Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses, cars, the local authority has the option to include motorcycles (e.g. Birmingham is expected to be Class D) |
Minimum Emission Standards
Each vehicle type has a minimum emission standard. You can find your vehicle’s emission standard in your vehicle logbook or from your vehicle manufacturer.
To avoid being charged in a clean air zone, your vehicle must meet the following minimum standard:
To avoid being charged in a clean air zone, your vehicle must meet the following minimum standard:
Vehicle Type |
CAZ Minimum Standard |
Buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles |
Euro VI |
Vans, minibuses, taxis, private hire vehicles, vans |
Euro 6 (Diesel) and Euro 4 (Petrol) |
Motorcycles |
Euro 3 |
Local authorities may set a different standard for taxis and private hire vehicles. You should always check if you will need to pay a charge or contact the local authority for more information.
Click here to check if you’ll be charged to drive in a Clean Air Zone.
Click here to check if you’ll be charged to drive in a Clean Air Zone.
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If you have a corporate or commercial issue which Dyne Solicitors is unable to handle, then Butcher & Barlow’s Commercial team will certainly be able to step in and assist.
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This is an alternative to our standard retainer system and offers clients an opportunity to obtain advice where the cost is pre-determined for the whole year. This arrangement would suit clients who may from time to time need to seek legal advice but may hold off preferring a ‘wait and see’ approach.
In our experience, early intervention can reduce the risk of the situation escalating as we can give advice and guidance that nips regulatory issues in the bud before they develop into something far worse. We also strongly recommend our clients consider taking out legal expenses insurance to cover investigations and prosecutions brought by regulators.
DyneProtect© has teamed up with Butcher & Barlow solicitors to provide DyneProtect© clients access to a specialist team of corporate and commercial lawyers for up to 1 hours’ worth of free telephone advice/legal consultation.
Butcher & Barlow have a dedicated commercial and agricultural hub on Gadbrook Park in Northwich which provides advice and assistance to a host of business clients in specialist areas such as Corporate and Commercial Law, Commercial Property, Private Client and Agriculture.
If you have a corporate or commercial issue which Dyne Solicitors is unable to handle, then Butcher & Barlow’s Commercial team will certainly be able to step in and assist.
DyneProtect© has also negotiated price reductions on OLAT / Driver CPC courses run by training providers KP Legal Limited who are offering discounts to DyneProtect© clients on Operator Licensing Awareness / Compliance training (-20%) and Periodic Driver CPC training (-10%).
