Drivers warned of £480 charge for using cars in four UK cities from next month

Motorists in four major UK cities are being put on alert as stinging penalties are expected for driving petrol and diesel vehicles. Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow are preparing to impose new clean air and low emission zones that could hit drivers’ wallets.

Aberdeen’s low-emissions zone will start charging non-compliant vehicles from June 1, while the Dundee rules will come into force on May 30, 2024. Drivers in these zones still have the chance to benefit from two support schemes that offer up to £3,000 for households and £. 2,000 for companies to upgrade or modernize their vehicles.

Edinburgh is due to activate its zone on June 1, with Glasgow following suit for vehicles registered to residential properties in the area. A Glasgow City Council representative outlined the penalty-based approach to Scottish LEZs, stating: “Scottish LEZs operate through a system of penalties, set out in legislation to deter entry of non-compliant vehicles and maximize quality benefits of air that can be supplied. .”

Entering a LEZ with a non-compliant vehicle in Scotland will result in a £60 fine, which doubles with each subsequent offence, capped at £480 for cars and light goods vehicles (LGVs). Larger vehicles such as minibuses, buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) face maximum fines of even more than £980.

Entry criteria for the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) will be based on the Euro engine classification standards, which are used both internationally and nationally. The minimum requirements are Euro 4 for petrol cars and vans – typically vehicles registered from 2006, and Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans – generally vehicles registered from September 2015, Birmingham Live reports.

This extends to Euro 6 for petrol and diesel taxis and private hire vehicles, under the standard license conditions set out in the Taxi Emission Standards Policy (2021), and Euro VI for buses, coaches and HGVs – usually registered vehicles since January 2013.

Penalty Notices (PCNs) must be paid within 28 days of the date they were issued. If payment is not made within this time frame, a charge certificate will be issued, increasing the PCN penalty charge by 50%.

If the increased tax is not paid within 14 days, the tax certificate and PCNs can be recovered as an enforceable debt.