Edinburgh Low Emission Zone

Edinburgh LEZ map: the boundary in plain words

The zone covers about 3.1 km² of the city centre. Going clockwise from the south, the boundary runs from Tollcross west to Palmerston Place. It then goes up to Queen Street in the New Town and across to Picardy Place.

From Picardy Place it runs round Abbeyhill and onto Holyrood Road. It continues along the Pleasance and returns along the Meadows to Tollcross.

The boundary roads themselves are not in the LEZ. Any vehicle can drive round the edge of the zone without a penalty.

When did Edinburgh's LEZ start?

The scheme was introduced on 31 May 2022 with a two-year grace period. Penalty charges began at 00:01 on 1 June 2024.

Edinburgh LEZ fines

The first PCN is £60, halved to £30 if paid within 14 days. Repeat entries by the same vehicle within 90 days double the charge each time.

• Cars and vans go £60, £120, £240, then stop at £480.
• Minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs can reach £960.

Edinburgh PCN numbers start with "EZ". The council says it never sends text messages about unpaid PCNs. Treat any text like that as a scam.

How to pay an Edinburgh LEZ penalty charge

• Online: through the council's LEZ penalty charge payment form.
• By phone: 0131 589 2744, 24 hours a day.
• By post: a cheque or postal order to Parking Services, PO Box 380, Sheffield, S98 1TS.
• In person: the Customer Hub, 249 High Street, EH1 1YJ, by card only.

Pay within 28 days. After that, a charge certificate adds 50%. If it is still unpaid 14 days later, the council can recover it as a debt through sheriff officers.

How to challenge an Edinburgh LEZ PCN

Challenge within 28 days of the PCN being issued. Use the council's online customer portal, write by post, or go in person. Challenges by email are not accepted.

If the council rejects your challenge, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.

Edinburgh LEZ exemptions

National exemptions apply. These cover Blue Badge holders, the disabled tax class, emergency and military vehicles, historic vehicles and showman's vehicles.

• Blue Badge: register through Transport Scotland's system. The council's older exemptions page gives a different deadline. Follow the current mygov.scot rule: up to 7 days ahead, and before midnight on the day of travel.
• Historic vehicles: at least 30 years old, of a type no longer made, and kept in original condition. If the checker does not show the exemption, email LEZ@edinburgh.gov.uk.
• Showman's vehicles: only vehicles in the "showmans" or "special vehicle" tax class qualify. Apply by email to LEZ@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Edinburgh local exemptions

Edinburgh has no local exemptions policy. It does consider temporary exemptions of up to 12 months, case by case.

These are mainly for specialised HGVs, such as road-rail vehicles or fragile artwork transport. Personal vehicles cannot apply. The LEZ Local Exemption Advisory Panel reviews each request.

Applications from taxi and private hire operators to delay while retrofitting closed at 5pm on 12 September 2024.

Edinburgh LEZ report 2025 to 2026

The council's second annual report covers April 2025 to March 2026. It records 37,092 PCNs, fewer than in the first year.

• The scheme design did not change.
• The zone was never suspended and the boundary is unchanged.
• Fewer than 20 twelve-month exemptions have been granted in total.

No changes to the scheme are planned for the next 12 months. Air quality modelling results are due at the Transport and Environment Committee in November 2026.

Edinburgh LEZ mobile camera vehicle

A Mobile Enforcement Vehicle was certified in March 2026. It began issuing PCNs shortly afterwards, alongside the ANPR cameras already in place.

Tips for drivers in Edinburgh

• Check the registration with the official vehicle emissions check service on gov.scot before you drive in.
• Use the boundary roads to travel round the centre if your vehicle is not compliant.
• Park outside the zone and walk or take public transport into the centre.

Quick answers

When did Edinburgh LEZ fines start?

Penalty charges began at 00:01 on 1 June 2024. The zone was introduced on 31 May 2022 with a two-year grace period.

How much is the Edinburgh LEZ fine?

The first PCN is £60, or £30 if paid within 14 days. Repeat entries within 90 days rise to £120, £240 and £480. Buses, coaches, minibuses and HGVs can reach £960.

Can I drive on the Edinburgh LEZ boundary roads?

Yes. The boundary roads are not in the LEZ, so any vehicle can drive round the edge of the zone.

How do I pay an Edinburgh LEZ fine by phone?

Call 0131 589 2744, which is open 24 hours a day. Have your PCN number ready. It starts with "EZ".

Does Edinburgh Council send texts about unpaid LEZ fines?

No. The council says it never sends text messages about unpaid PCNs. A text asking you to pay is a scam.

How many LEZ fines did Edinburgh issue in 2025/26?

The council's report for April 2025 to March 2026 records 37,092 PCNs. That was fewer than in the first year of enforcement.

Does Edinburgh use mobile LEZ cameras?

Yes. A Mobile Enforcement Vehicle was certified in March 2026 and began issuing PCNs shortly afterwards.