HGVs, lorries, vans, buses/minibuses, coaches and specialist heavy vehicles
Vehicles in this category:
- HGVs, lorries, vans or other specialist vehicles over 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW
- Buses/minibuses and coaches over 5 tonnes GVW
These vehicles must meet the Euro VI standard for Nitrous Oxide (NOx) and Particulate Matter (PM).
The standard for goods vehicles above 1.205 tonnes unladen weight and not exceeding 3.5 tonnes GVW, and the standard for buses and coaches not exceeding 5 tonnes GVW are unchanged. The standard for these vehicles is Euro 3 for PM only.
Use our vehicle checker to see if your vehicle meets the emissions standards. Petrol or diesel vehicles in central London must also meet Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standards, even if they meet LEZ standards.
Meeting the standards
The LEZ emissions standards are based on Euro standards for the emission of NOx and PM. NOx is oxides of nitrogen which act as respiratory irritants and PM is very fine particles of soot emitted by vehicles - this pollution can harm our lungs and worsen chronic illnesses such as asthma, lung and heart disease and puts the health of our children at risk. Find out more about London's air quality.
The age and weight of a vehicle indicate the level of PM it produces.
Vehicles included in the standards
Over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight:
- Lorries
- Vans
- Motor caravans
- Motorised horseboxes
- Breakdown and recovery vehicles
- Snow ploughs
- Gritters
- Refuse collection vehicles
- Road sweepers
- Concrete mixers
- Fire engines
- Tippers
- Removal lorries
- Other specialist heavy vehicles
Over 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight:
- Buses/minibuses
- Coaches
The LEZ is enforced based on manufacturer declared emissions of the vehicle rather than age, but:
- Euro VI (NOx and PM) engines are generally those first registered with the DVLA after 1 January 2014
- Euro IV (PM) engines are generally those first registered with the DVLA as new after 1 October 2006
- All vehicles which meet the ULEZ standards will also meet the LEZ standards
Vehicles won't meet the standards if they:
- Do not meet the Euro VI standard for NOx and PM (for goods vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight or buses and coaches exceeding 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight).
- Do not meet the Euro 3 standard for PM (for goods vehicles not exceeding 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight or buses and coaches not exceeding 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight).
If your vehicle doesn't meet the LEZ standards, you will need to pay the daily LEZ charge.
Find out more about vehicles with LECs and RPCs.
HGV Safety Permit
If you drive an HGV over 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight in Greater London at any time you will need to apply for an HGV Safety Permit. A penalty charge notice will be issued to vehicles without a permit.
Applying for a permit is free of charge. Find out more about the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) for HGVs.
