Aberdeen Low Emission Zone: Everything you need to know

Aberdeen's Low Emission Zone goes live on Saturday, meaning fines will be handed out to non-compliant cars.

The Scottish Government scheme is being introduced to improve air quality in the country's four biggest cities.

Glasgow's LEZ has been live for a year, whilst Dundee's was enforced on Thursday and Edinburgh's will also be introduced on June 1.

Signage and cameras were installed around the boundary of Aberdeen's low emission zone in February, however the 'grace period' comes to an end tomorrow.

Where is the Low Emission Zone?

The zone covers Union Street and all adjoining streets.

To get onto the Granite Mile, drivers must enter through another LEZ street.

Streets covered by the LEZ include:

• Adelphi
• Alford Place
• Back Wynd
• Belmont Street
• Bon Accord Crescent
• Bon Accord Street
• Broad Street
• Crimmon Place
• Crown Street
• Denburn Road
• Flourmill Lane
• Guild Street
• Hardgate
• Holburn Street
• Huntly Street
• King Street (after East North Street junction towards Castlegate)
• Marishcal Street
• Market Street
• Queen Street
• Schoolhill
• Shiprow
• Skene Terrace
• Summer Street
• Thistle Street
• Union Terrace
• Upper Kirkgate
• Virginia Street
• Willowbank Road
• Windmill Brae

Most city centre car parks are accessible without entering the zone but NPC Shiprow, NPC Justice Mill Lane, Chapel Street car park and Summer Street car park are all affected.

What happens if I enter the Low Emission Zone?

If a motorist enters the LEZ and their car meets emission standards, they will not be fined.

However, if the vehicle is non-compliant and has not qualified for an exemption, a fine of £60 will be issued.

This will be reduced by 50% - or to £30 - if it is paid within 14 days.

A fine will double for every breach after the first - for example, if a non-compliant car enters the LEZ for a second time in a non-compliant car the fine will increase to £90.

Any subsequent breach after 90 days will reset the penalty back to £60.

For example, if a driver has already been fined £60 for entering the zone and drives through for a second time after 90 days, they will be fined £60 again rather than the penalty doubling to £90.

Fines are capped at £480 for cars and light goods vehicles whilst all other vehicles have their fines capped at £960.

How do I know if my car is compliant?

Non-compliant cars generally include petrol vehicles older than 2006 or diesel vehicles older than 2015.

You can check if your car is compliant on the Low Emission Zone Scotland website by entering your registration number.

If a vehicle is non-compliant and the driver holds a blue badge, they can apply for an exemption - they will not need to do this if they are a blue badge holder and the car meets emission standards.

Other types of specialist vehicles are also exempt, such as emergency services and historic vehicles.

Additional time-limited exemptions can be granted by the local authority for certain specialist vehicles which are not suitable for replacement.

You can find more information on Aberdeen's low emission zone on Aberdeen City Council's website.