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Low-emission zoneWorldwide

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56. 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.

Sign warning drivers in London that they are about to enter the Ultra Low Emission Zone and Congestion Charging Zone. (Eaton Square, United Kingdom)
Wikimedia.org • David Hawgood • 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.

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