City centre residents issued reminder as LEZ grace period set to come to an end

CITY centre residents have been issued a reminder that the low emission zone (LEZ) grace period is set to come to an end next month. 

Glasgow's LEZ came into force on Thursday, June 1, 2023, meaning all vehicles entering the zone must meet less-polluting emission standards or face a penalty charge.

The LEZ covers an area of the city centre bounded by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south and Saltmarket / High Street to the east.

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Residents with a non-compliant vehicle registered to a residential property within the zone were able to apply for the grace period which covered the first year of operation.

Now, Glasgow City Council have issued a letter to those living within the LEZ or close to its boundary to remind them the grace period expires at 11.59pm on Friday, May 31.

After this period, any vehicle which enters the LEZ and does not meet the required emission standards will be subject to a penalty charge.

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The letter, seen by the Glasgow Times, read: "On June 1, 2023, Glasgow's LEZ came into force.

"All vehicles entering the city centre zone must now meet the less-polluting standards or face a penalty charge.

"Zone residents have, however, had extra time to prepare, with a one-year grace period built into the scheme design.

"Since the LEZ came into force, those with a non-compliant vehicle registered to a residential property within the zone area have been able to apply for this grace period which covers the first year of scheme operation."

It continued: "Please note that the residents' grace period expires on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 11.59pm.

"After this time, entry into Glasgow's LEZ by a vehicle which does not meet the required emission standards will be subject to a penalty charge."

The initial penalty charge for all non-compliant vehicles entering a LEZ in Scotland is £60, with the charge doubling with each subsequent breach detected by the same vehicle.

Charges are capped a £480 for cars and light goods vehicles and £960 for buses and HGVs with any further breaches detected by the same vehicle resulting in future penalty charges being issued at the capped rate.

Vehicles for disabled persons are exempt from LEZ requirements in Scotland.

Motorcycles and mopeds are not included in Scottish LEZ schemes, meaning no restrictions apply to these vehicle types.