Emissions standards

The emissions standards for the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) are based on Euro standards. These define the limits for exhaust emissions for new vehicles sold in European Union (EU) member states, and which vehicles must comply with when manufactured.

The emissions standards are:

• From February 2008, a standard of Euro III for particulate matter (PM) for lorries over 12 tonnes
• From July 2008, a standard of Euro III for PM for lorries between 3.5 and 12 tonnes, buses and coaches
• From October 2010, a standard of Euro 3/III for PM for larger vans and minibuses
• From January 2012, a standard of Euro 4/IV for PM for lorries over 12 tonnes, buses and coaches

Vehicle type and definitions		Date affected	Required emissions standards
Heavier lorries Heavy diesel-engined vehicles exceeding 12 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight, including goods vehicles, motor caravans, motorised horseboxes and other specialist vehicles.		4 February 2008 - Euro III for PM  January 2012 - Euro IV for PM	All Euro III vehicles meet the LEZ standard From 4 February 2008 the LEZ emissions standard is Euro III for PM. Vehicles first registered as new on or after 1 October 2001 are assumed to meet this standard. Vehicles not meeting the emissions standard could be made to do so by modifying them to meet the Euro III standard for PM. Vehicles which do not meet the LEZ emissions standard would be subject to a daily charge if used within the LEZ. From January 2012 the required emissions standard will be raised to Euro IV for PM. Vehicles first registered as new on or after 1 October 2006 are assumed to meet this standard. Vehicles not meeting the emissions standard could be made to do so by modifying them to meet the Euro IV standard for PM. Vehicles which do not meet the LEZ emissions standard would be subject to a daily charge if used within the LEZ.
Lighter lorries Heavy diesel-engined vehicles between 3.5 and 12 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight, including goods vehicles, motor caravans, motorised horseboxes and other specialist vehicles.		July 2008 Euro III January 2012 - Euro IV
Buses and coaches Diesel-engined passenger vehicles with more than eight seats plus the driver's seat exceeding 5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight.
Large vans Diesel-engined vehicles between 1.205 tonnes unladen and 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight and motor caravans and ambulances between 2.5 tonnes and 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicles Weight.		October 2010 Euro III	From 4 October 2010 the emissions standard is Euro III for PM. Vehicles registered as new on or after 1 January 2002 are assumed to meet this standard. Vehicles not meeting the emissions standard could be made to do so by modifying them to meet the Euro III standard for PM. Vehicles which do not meet the LEZ emissions standard would be subject to a daily charge if used within the LEZ.
Minibuses Diesel-engined passenger vehicles with more than eight seats plus the driver's seat below 5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight.

Vehicle weight is a good guide as to when your vehicle will be affected by the LEZ. If your type of vehicle is not listed you should use the weight limits used for lorries and large vans as a guide and/or contact your vehicle manufacturer or TfL for guidance.

In the first instance, TfL will assess the emissions standards of a vehicle through the date of its first registration as new, which is shown on the vehicle's registration document known as a V5 or V5C (or European equivalent). Find out how TfL determines the compliance status of your vehicle (PDF 44KB).

Some vehicles with Euro II engines and a very small number of vehicles with Euro I engines may also meet the required LEZ emissions standards of Euro III for particulate matter. Learn more about EuroI/II vehicles.

If you are not sure if your vehicle meets the LEZ emissions standards, you can use our online compliance check.

Operators of affected vehicles that currently do not meet the LEZ emissions standards and wish to travel within the LEZ from 4 February 2008 will be subject to a daily charge if used within the zone.

If your vehicle is affected by the LEZ and is not registered in Great Britain, you will need to register your vehicle with TfL even if your vehicle complies with the LEZ emissions standards. Vehicles registered in Northern Ireland will also need to be registered with TfL.

Date : 10-01-2008