Drivers furious over Low Emissions Zone malfunction which sees motorists unfairly fined

Hemma Visavadia

By Hemma Visavadia


Published: 19/06/2024

- 18:20

Updated: 20/06/2024

- 12:19

Motorcyclists and Blue Badge holders are exempt from LEZ rules

Drivers in a major city have expressed their fury over being fined for breaching Low Emission Zone rules despite having an exemption.

The LEZ rules in Aberdeen currently exempt Blue Badge holders and motorcyclists as well as emergency service vehicles and historic vehicles.


But as the clear air scheme came into effect in June, drivers with exemptions have complained that their vehicles have been fined.

Under the LEZ rules, Petrol drivers must adhere to Euro 4 emissions standards, which generally impact vehicles registered before 2006.

Low Emission ZoneTo be LEZ compliant, petrol and diesel vehicles must adhere to emissions rules PA

Owners of diesel cars and vans, however, will need to abide by Euro 6 rules (usually registered after September 2015), while buses, coaches and HGVs must be Euro VI (registered from January 2013).

If a vehicle does not meet the specified emission standards and drivers travel through the zone they could face a £60 fine, which can be slashed by 50 per cent if paid within 14 days.

The LEZ operate continuously, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is enforced through automatic number plate recognition cameras.

The cameras are linked to local and national vehicle licencing databases, to monitor all vehicles driving in a LEZ.

They detect vehicles which do not comply withthe emission standards. Stationary vehicles are not subject to LEZ restrictions.

Shockingly, Aberdeen City Council was forced to issue an apology to many motorcyclists who were unintentionally fined by LEZ.

The council reported that within the city some bikers accidentally received notifications of a £60 fine.

A spokesperson for the local authority told GB News it was sorry for "any inconvenience caused" adding that cancellation could be requested online.

The council said: "We are aware some motorcyclists may have been issued Low Emission Zone Enforcement Notices following the initial launch in Aberdeen.

"We can confirm that motorcyclists are exempt from the Low Emission Zone and we apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

"Any motorcycle that has received a notice can request its cancellation online."

Although the council did not detail how many motorcyclists were affected by the error.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

\u200bAberdeen LEZ boundary mapAberdeen LEZ boundary map ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL

Enforcement for Low Emission Zones in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow were rolled out from June 1 with drivers with non-compliant vehicles being charged as a result.

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