Thousands of drivers get slapped with hefty LEZ fines in first month of roll out in major city

The LEZ was introduced in Edinburgh on May 31, 2022, along with LEZs in Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee, restricting the most polluting vehicles from entering certain areas.

In Edinburgh, a two-year grace period was put in place, meaning no penalty charges were issued during this time, but became active on June 1, 2024.

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Official figures from Edinburgh Council recorded 6,030 fines during the first month of the scheme.

In total, 5,756 Level 1 penalties for first contravention were handed out while 274 Level 2 penalties were given to drivers with second contravention.

Under LEZ rules, if a vehicle does not meet the specified emission standards and drivers travel through the zone they could face a £60 fine, which can be slashed by 50 per cent if paid within 14 days.

If every driver was hit with the £60 charge, the council could have raised roughly £345,000 in the first month alone.

To be LEZ compliant, petrol cars and vans must adhere to Euro 4 emissions, while Euro 6 is the standard for diesel cars and vans and Euro VI for buses, coaches and HGVs.

The LEZ rules are enforced by automatic number plate recognition cameras which operate continuously, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener for Edinburgh Council explained: “While our objective is to ultimately see zero non-compliant vehicles enter our LEZ, I’m conscious that this is a process which will take time to fully materialise.

“I was encouraged to see the relatively low level of second contraventions in the figures alongside none for further levels. This shows clearly that people are getting used to the LEZ and modifying their transport habits accordingly.”

He added that public attitudes towards LEZs are improving across Scotland, with a national poll indicating that 60 per cent of respondents were in favour of the zones.

Arthur also emphasised that any revenue generated from the LEZ “will be reinvested into the running of the zone, with any surplus funds supporting the LEZ’s wider goals”.

He said: “These ambitious goals include achieving net zero, accommodating sustainable growth, cutting congestion, and improving air quality, amongst other commitments to create a safer and more people-friendly city.

“Edinburgh is a city with big ideas for the future and the LEZ forms a key part of these.”

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Under the LEZ scheme, Blue Badge holders are exempt from all Scottish LEZs and should register their details with the exemption system on the national website so that the vehicle they are travelling in can access all the Low Emission Zones in Scotland.

Phil Mackie, a consultant at NHS Grampian, had previously welcomed the LEZ: “The World Health Organisation has identified air pollution as one of the greatest threats to human health because it causes ill health and makes existing poor health worse.

“Air pollution contributes towards millions of early deaths every year worldwide and is a major contributor to climate change.”