Low-emission zones in the United Kingdom (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: The UK has no single scheme. England has Clean Air Zones, London has the ULEZ and Scotland has four Low Emission Zones. Cars need Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 petrol. London charges non-compliant vehicles GBP 12.50 a day.

RuleWhat applies
Type of schemeDriving in a low-emission zoneNo single UK scheme. England: Clean Air Zones (classes A to D; only class D includes cars). London: the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), run by the Mayor. Scotland: four Low Emission Zones run by councils. [1]
Where the zones areDriving in a low-emission zoneEngland Clean Air Zones: Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Tyneside (Newcastle and Gateshead); cars are covered in the class D zones (Birmingham, Bristol). London: all boroughs, not the M25. Scotland: Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow city centres. [1]
Which vehicles may enterDriving in a low-emission zoneCars must meet Euro 6 (diesel) and Euro 4 (petrol) in English Clean Air Zones, London's ULEZ and Scottish LEZs. Electric vehicles and some exempt classes are not charged or fined. [1]
Foreign vehicles: sticker or registrationDriving in a low-emission zoneLondon: non-UK vehicles must meet the ULEZ standards or pay the daily charge, and must be registered with TfL even if compliant. England Clean Air Zones: the online service cannot check vehicles registered outside the UK. Scotland: the vehicle checker cannot be used for non-UK vehicles. [2]
FineDriving in a low-emission zoneLondon ULEZ: daily charge GBP 12.50; penalty charge GBP 180 (GBP 90 if paid within 14 days). Scotland: GBP 60 (GBP 30 if paid within 14 days), doubling on repeats within 90 days up to GBP 480 for cars. England Clean Air Zones: a penalty charge notice may follow non-payment; the amount is not given on the page read. [3]

Notes

  • Wales and Northern Ireland were not covered by the pages read.

Sources

  1. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (GOV.UK): Clean Air Zones - GOV.UK (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. Transport for London: Ultra Low Emission Zone (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  3. Transport for London: Penalty charges for ULEZ (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.