Low-emission zoneFrance

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Traffic rules

France

53. Low-emission zone

A low-emission zone, or LEZ, is a defined area where access by more polluting vehicles is restricted in order to reduce traffic-related air pollution. Vehicles that do not satisfy the required emission criteria may be prohibited from entering or may require a temporary permit, exemption or day pass.

Access rules commonly depend on factors such as the vehicle category, fuel type and Euro emission standard. Low-emission-zone requirements vary between countries and cities, so drivers should check the applicable rules before entering the zone.

Start of a low-emission zone, categories 1, 2 and 3 allowed. (Toulouse, France)
Wikimedia.org • Abdoucondorcet • CC BY-SA

What is a low-emission zone?

A low-emission zone is an area where access by more polluting vehicles is restricted in order to improve air quality.

Why are low-emission zones introduced?

They are intended to reduce traffic-related air pollution, particularly pollutants produced by older or higher-emitting vehicles.

Which vehicles can be restricted in a low-emission zone?

Restrictions may apply to cars, vans, trucks, buses, motorcycles or other motor vehicles, depending on the local regulations.

How is access to a low-emission zone determined?

Access commonly depends on the vehicle's fuel type, Euro emission standard, vehicle category and sometimes other technical characteristics.

What is a Euro emission standard?

A Euro emission standard indicates which European pollutant-emission requirements a vehicle satisfies. Higher Euro numbers generally represent newer and stricter emissions requirements.

Are diesel and petrol vehicles treated the same?

Not necessarily. Low-emission zones often apply different access criteria to diesel and petrol vehicles because their pollutant-emission characteristics differ.

Can electric vehicles enter a low-emission zone?

Fully electric vehicles are generally permitted because they produce no combustion-engine exhaust emissions while driving, although local registration or administrative requirements may still apply.

Can a vehicle that does not meet the normal criteria still enter?

Some low-emission zones provide exemptions, temporary permits or day passes for certain vehicles or circumstances.

How can you recognise a low-emission zone?

Traffic signs normally indicate the entrance and exit of the zone. Drivers should check the applicable restrictions before passing the entry sign.

How are low-emission zones enforced?

Enforcement may use automatic licence-plate cameras, roadside controls or registration databases. The exact system varies between cities and countries.

Do foreign vehicles have to follow low-emission-zone rules?

Yes. Foreign vehicles must comply with the applicable access criteria and may also have to complete an online registration before entering.

Are low-emission-zone rules the same everywhere?

No. Each country, region or city can establish different boundaries, emission requirements, exemptions and enforcement procedures.

Selective barriers

Priority at the next junction

1 France 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Advisory speed 9 Footpath 10 Bike path 11 Pedestrian warning 12 Tunnel 13 Bridge 14 Cycling street 15 Pedestrian zone 16 Speed bump 17 Toll road 18 Customs 19 One-way traffic 20 Quay 21 Slope 22 Bus lane 23 Bus stop 24 Dead end 25 Stop sign 26 Give way 27 Roundabout 28 Priority road 29 Road narrowing 30 Priority over oncoming traffic 31 Give way to oncoming traffic 32 Pedestrian crossing 33 Railway crossing 34 Mandatory direction 35 Turn prohibition 36 School area 37 Overtaking 38 Crossing animals 39 Slippery road 40 Rockfall 41 Aircraft 42 Curve 43 Chevron 44 Wrong-way driving 45 Roadworks 46 Crosswind 47 Height limit 48 Width limit 49 Length limit 50 Weight limit 51 Radar speed sign 52 Selective barriers 53 Low-emission zone 54 Priority at the next junction 55 Traffic lights 56 Traffic lights warning 57 Pedestrian lights 58 Road markings 59 Junction layout 60 Bike box 61 Speed feedback 62 Driving licence 63 Location marker 64 Road number 65 Countdown markers 66 Public toilet 67 Rest area 68 Traffic mirror 69 Emergency telephone 70 International border 71 Cycling route 72 End of restriction 73 Parking 74 No parking 75 No stopping 76 Parallel parking 77 Alternate-side parking 78 Parking meter 79 Parking disc 80 Disabled parking 81 Traffic management 82 Merging 83 Reversing 84 U-turn 85 Carpool 86 Traffic jam 87 Uncontrolled crossroad 88 Road surface 89 Ring road 90 Exit 91 Information point 92 Horse riding 93 Provisional licence 94 Hazardous cargo 95 Emergency exit 96 Runaway truck ramp 97 Radio service 98 Oversize load 99 Lane 100 Tyre inflation station ...