Aberdeen Low Emission Zone
Aberdeen's Low Emission Zone has been enforced since 1 June 2024. It covers Union Street, the Castlegate and the streets around them. A non-compliant vehicle gets a £60 penalty, cut to £30 if paid within 14 days.
- Enforced since Saturday 1 June 2024
- Runs 24 hours a day, every day
- First fine £60, or £30 within 14 days
Aberdeen LEZ map
The shaded area is the zone. Drag and zoom the map to check a street.
Zone boundary: Aberdeen City Council. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Aberdeen LEZ map: streets in the zone
The Aberdeen LEZ is a small city centre zone of about 0.86 km², around Union Street and the Castlegate. The rail and bus stations are outside it.
Union Street, Union Terrace and Union Bridge are included in full. So are Castle Street, Castle Terrace, Crown Street and Exchange Street. The same goes for Diamond Street, Justice Street, Market Stance, Shiprow and Netherkirkgate.
Roads partly inside the Aberdeen LEZ
These roads mark the edges of the zone. Only the stretch shown is included.
- Holburn Street: Union Street to Ashvale Place.
- Hardgate: Justice Mill Lane to Willowbank Road.
- Willowbank Road: Hardgate to Springbank Terrace.
- Bon-Accord Street: Union Street to Springbank Terrace.
- Bridge Street: Union Street to Wapping Street.
- Market Street: Union Street to the Union Square bus station.
- Denburn Road: Rosemount Viaduct to Wapping Street.
- Schoolhill: Upperkirkgate to Back Wynd.
- Gallowgate: Upperkirkgate to Littlejohn Street.
- King Street: West North Street to Castle Street.
- Castlehill: Commerce Street to Castle Terrace.
- Rose Street: Thistle Street to Union Street.
- Thistle Street: Rose Street to Chapel Street.
Car parks inside the Aberdeen LEZ
The Chapel Street, Shiprow, Queen Street and Justice Mill Lane car parks are inside the zone. A non-compliant vehicle will be fined for driving to them.
Leaving the Orkney and Shetland ferry
Leaving the ferry terminal on Commercial Quay, turn left onto Market Street to avoid the zone. Turning right takes you into it almost at once.
When did the Aberdeen LEZ start?
The council approved a two-year grace period on 24 June 2021. The zone was introduced on 30 May 2022, and enforcement began on 1 June 2024.
What the Aberdeen LEZ applies to
The zone applies to vehicles driving in it. Stationary vehicles are not subject to LEZ restrictions. Ships in the harbour and trains are outside the scheme.
The national standards apply. Petrol cars and vans need Euro 4 and diesel cars and vans need Euro 6. Diesel buses, coaches and HGVs need Euro VI. Motorcycles and mopeds are not restricted.
Check the registration with the official vehicle emissions check service on gov.scot. Registration dates are only a rough guide.
Aberdeen LEZ fines
The first PCN is £60, or £30 if paid within 14 days. Repeat entries by the same vehicle within 90 days double the charge, to £120, £240 and £480.
Cars and vans stop at £480. Minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs can reach £960.
Aberdeen differs on one point. It lists special purpose vehicles under the £960 cap. Glasgow and Edinburgh put them on the £480 ladder with cars and vans.
How to pay or appeal an Aberdeen LEZ PCN
- Pay or appeal within 28 days, online through the council's PCN portal. Appeals can also be made in writing.
- Written appeals go to the Parking and Bus Lane Appeals Team, PO Box 10505, Aberdeen, AB12 9EW. There are no phone appeals.
- Do not pay while you appeal. Paying closes the case.
- The council aims to reply within 56 days.
- If it rejects your appeal, pay the amount on the Notice of Rejection within 28 days. You can also go to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.
If a Charge Certificate is issued, request a review or pay in full within 28 days. Otherwise debt collection agents may add fees.
Aberdeen LEZ exemptions
National exemptions apply. These cover Blue Badge holders, the disabled tax class, emergency and military vehicles, historic vehicles and showman's vehicles.
The council also grants time-limited exemptions of up to one year. These are for specialist vehicles that cannot be replaced or retrofitted. A renewal needs a new application, sent by email to transportstrategy@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
Residents' private cars cannot get an exemption.
LEZ grants for Aberdeen drivers and businesses
The council's LEZ page still quotes a £2,500 business grant, which is out of date. The Energy Saving Trust's business fund now pays £2,000 per vehicle disposed of, for up to three vehicles.
Households can get up to £3,000 to scrap a non-compliant vehicle and switch to other travel. Both funds are in their final year, 2026/27, and may close sooner if the money runs out.
Quick answers
- Is Union Street in the Aberdeen LEZ?
Yes. Union Street, Union Terrace and Union Bridge are all included in full.
- Are Aberdeen's train and bus stations in the LEZ?
No. The rail and bus stations are outside the zone. Market Street is included only from Union Street to the Union Square bus station.
- Which Aberdeen car parks are inside the LEZ?
The Chapel Street, Shiprow, Queen Street and Justice Mill Lane car parks are inside the zone. Driving to them in a non-compliant vehicle leads to a PCN.
- How do I avoid the Aberdeen LEZ from the ferry terminal?
Leaving the Orkney and Shetland ferry terminal on Commercial Quay, turn left onto Market Street. Turning right enters the zone almost at once.
- When did Aberdeen LEZ fines start?
Enforcement began on 1 June 2024. The zone was introduced on 30 May 2022 with a two-year grace period.
- Can I appeal an Aberdeen LEZ fine by phone?
No. Appeal online, or by post to the Parking and Bus Lane Appeals Team, PO Box 10505, Aberdeen, AB12 9EW. Do it within 28 days.
- Does the Aberdeen LEZ apply to parked vehicles?
No. Stationary vehicles are not subject to LEZ restrictions. The rules apply to vehicles driving in the zone.