Aberdeen Low Emission Zone

Who pays

All vehicles except motorbikes, mopeds and fully electric vehicles must meet: Euro 4 for petrol cars and vans; Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans; Euro VI for diesel buses, coaches and HGVs; Euro IV for petrol buses, coaches and HGVs. Hybrids are treated like the petrol/diesel equivalent. Rough guide: petrol from about 2006, diesel from about September 2015.

When it applies

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year (including public holidays such as Christmas Day).

How much

Discounts and exemptions

• National exemptions: vehicles for disabled people (Blue Badge holder driving or carried - register the vehicle on mygov.scot before midnight on the day of travel; disabled / disabled passenger tax class vehicles are recognised automatically)
• Emergency service vehicles
• Naval, military or air force vehicles
• Historic vehicles (first registered at least 30 years ago, no longer in production, preserved in original state)
• Showman's vehicles (must register with the council)
• Motorbikes, mopeds and fully electric vehicles are not affected
• Local time-limited exemptions up to a year for vehicles that cannot be replaced or retrofitted (apply by email to transportstrategy@aberdeencity.gov.uk); privately owned vehicles not considered
• Blue Badge exemption must be registered before midnight on the day of travel

How to pay

You cannot pay to enter - there is no daily charge or prepayment. PCNs are paid to the council: https://pcn.aberdeencity.gov.uk/lez/live/3sc/

Payment deadline

Not applicable (no entry charge). PCN: pay within 14 days for 50% discount; pay or make representations within 28 days of the PCN.

If you don't pay

PCN of £60 for the first contravention, reduced by 50% (to £30) if paid within 14 days. The charge doubles for each further contravention by the same vehicle in the same LEZ within 90 days: £120, £240, £480, capped at £480 for cars, light goods vehicles (N1) and special purpose vehicles, and at £960 (5th and later) for minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs. Resets to £60 after 90 days with no contravention. Maximum one PCN per vehicle per day (midnight to 11:59pm). If not paid within 28 days a charge certificate increases the penalty by 50%.

Good to know

Enforcement started 1 June 2024 (Transport Scotland; council PCN statistics start June 2024). Council confirms a charge certificate adds 50% after 28 days and no appeal is possible after that. Orkney/Shetland ferry traffic can avoid the zone by turning left onto Market Street. A council notice said online PCN payments/appeals were temporarily unavailable at some point - check the portal.