The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) covers most of Greater London and operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It was introduced in 2008 to encourage the most polluting heavy diesel vehicles driving in the Capital to become cleaner.

When does it operate?

The LEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including weekends and public and bank holidays.

Charging days run from midnight to midnight. So if you were to drive within the LEZ between 23:30 and 01:00 the next day, you'd need to pay for two days.

Vehicles parked in the zone but not driving are not subject to LEZ requirements for that day.

LEZ emissions standards will get even tougher from October 2020. Find out about changes to the emissions standards.

Remember, the LEZ isn't the same as the central London Congestion Charge zone. The Congestion Charge applies 07:00-18:00 Monday to Friday, excluding public and bank holidays. If you drive within the charging zone during these times you need to pay the Congestion Charge, even if you meet the LEZ emissions standards and have paid the daily LEZ Charge.

Find out more about the central London Congestion Charge zone.

Where does it operate?

The LEZ covers most of Greater London.

All roads within Greater London, those at Heathrow and parts of the M1 and M4 are included. However, the M25 is not included (even where it passes within the GLA boundary). Look out for signs at the boundary and side of the road to see where it applies.

Interactive map

Enter a street name, postcode or landmark in the box below to view its location in relation to the zone. To confirm if an address is inside or outside the zone, use the postcode checker below the map.

Search

Information in the map may not be accurate. Results provided by the postcode search tool take precedence.

Postcode search

Use our postcode checker to determine if an address falls within the LEZ (results will not show on the map above).

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Low Emission Zone Map PDF 1.61MB

Signage

Look out for signs at the boundary and side of the road to see where it applies.

Low Emission Zone sign At all LEZ entry points there are signs like these.
Within the zone LEZ sign

Inside the Zone

Once you're inside the LEZ, on main roads there are signs to remind you that you're in the zone and that the scheme is enforced by cameras: 

LEZ advance warning signs

Advance warning signs

On major approaches to the M25, advance warning signs like these indicate the position of the LEZ boundary, allowing you to choose to divert onto the M25: 

LEZ additional advance sign

Additional advance signs

Closer to the boundary itself, some approaches have additional advance signs to indicate a route you may take to avoid entering the zone:

How does it operate?

There are no barriers or toll booths within the LEZ. Instead, cameras will read your number plate as you drive within the LEZ and check it against our database of registered vehicles.

This database is compiled using information from the DVLA, DVANI, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA - formerly VOSA), generic vehicle weight data typical of the make and model, and drivers and operators who have registered with us.

This tells us automatically whether your vehicle meets the LEZ emissions standards, is exempt, is registered for a discount, or if you've already paid the daily charge.

Vehicles registered outside the UK

If you're driving a vehicle registered outside the UK, you'll need to register it with us to let us know that it meets the LEZ emissions standards so we can add your vehicle to our database.

It's important that you do this, because if you drive in the LEZ without registering, even if your vehicle meets the standards, you'll have to pay the daily charge, or may receive a Penalty Charge Notice.

Find out more about registering your vehicle.

Non-road mobile machinery

We also need to reduce emissions from non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) to protect and improve Londoners' health. NRMM used on construction sites was responsible for 7% of NOx emissions, 14% for PM2.5 and 8% of PM10 emissions in Greater London in 2013.

To address these NRMM emissions London has introduced a NRMM LEZ using the Mayor's planning powers to impose minimum emissions standards for machinery used on construction sites. More information is on the NRMM London website.

Future changes to LEZ and ULEZ

In addition to the existing LEZ emissions standards operating across most of Greater London, a phased implementation of tighter emissions standards will affect different vehicle types and different geographical areas within London.

From 8 April 2019

Any petrol or diesel vehicle driven within the Congestion Charge area in central London will need to meet the new tighter emissions standards of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

These are stricter emissions standards than the London-wide LEZ standards already in operation. Your vehicle may not meet the ULEZ emissions standards even if it currently meets the LEZ standards.

From 26 October 2020

Emissions standards, daily charges and penalties will change for lorries, buses, coaches, and other specialist vehicles over 3.5 tonnes being used within the LEZ. (Vehicles that comply with ULEZ will already meet the tighter emissions standards.)

Check the table of emissions standards changes.

From 25 October 2021

The ULEZ boundary around central London will be extended to create a larger zone bounded by the North and South Circular Roads. If you are driving any vehicle within this enlarged area you will need to meet new tighter emissions standards or pay a daily charge. This daily charge is in addition to the weekday Congestion Charge.