Drivers in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow face hefty fines under new clean air rules | Coventry Live

Traveling north? Be prepared – motorists north of the border have been given a stark warning as they could soon face hefty fines for driving petrol and diesel cars in four of the UK’s biggest cities: Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

New regulations on clean air and low emission zones are introduced in these locations. So you better watch out.

Aberdeen’s low emission zone will start charging from Saturday 1 June and enforcement in Dundee will start on 30 May 2024. There are two further support schemes available for drivers who need to upgrade or replace their vehicles, allowing households to claim up to £3,000 and businesses up to £2,000.

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The Edinburgh zone comes into effect on June 1, as does Glasgow – but only for vehicles registered to a residential property in the zone. A Glasgow City Council spokesperson shed light on operating practices, saying: “Scottish LEZs operate through a system of penalties, set out in legislation to deter non-compliant vehicles from entering and maximize air quality benefits that can be provided”.

All vehicles breaching these LEZ standards in Scotland will be fined £60, doubling with each subsequent offense to a maximum of £480 for cars and LGVs. For minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs, fines could be as high as £980, Birmingham Live reports.

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 – usually vehicles registered from 2006 and Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans – usually vehicles registered from September 2015.

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 – generally vehicles registered from 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.

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