Driving charges · Low emission zone
Dundee Low Emission Zone
Within the A991 Inner Ring Road, excluding the Bell Street, West Marketgait NCP and Wellgate car parks; the council lists the streets included (e.g. Albert Square, Commercial Street, High Street, Murraygate, Nethergate east of West Marketgait, Reform Street, Seagate, Union Street, Whitehall Street).
Who pays
All vehicles except motorbikes, mopeds and fully electric vehicles must meet: Euro 4 for petrol cars and vans; Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans; Euro VI for diesel buses, coaches and HGVs; Euro IV for petrol buses, coaches and HGVs. Hybrids are treated like the petrol/diesel equivalent. Rough guide: petrol from about 2006, diesel from about September 2015.
When it applies
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year (including public holidays such as Christmas Day).
How much
| Vehicle | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All non-compliant, non-exempt vehicles (cars, vans, minibuses, buses, coaches, HGVs) | No charge to pay (fines apply) | No daily charge and no way to prepay - non-compliant vehicles are not allowed in the zone and are fined (see penalty). Tiers: £60 / £120 / £240 / £480 (cars, vans, special purpose vehicles capped at £480); minibuses, buses, coaches, HGVs go on to £960 from the 5th contravention. |
Discounts and exemptions
- National exemptions: vehicles for disabled people (Blue Badge holder driving or carried - register the vehicle on mygov.scot before midnight on the day of travel; disabled / disabled passenger tax class vehicles are recognised automatically)
- Emergency service vehicles
- Naval, military or air force vehicles
- Historic vehicles (first registered at least 30 years ago, no longer in production, preserved in original state)
- Showman's vehicles (must register with the council)
- Motorbikes, mopeds and fully electric vehicles are not affected
- Local time-limited exemptions (max 1 year, renewable by reapplying) where operators show they are doing all they can to comply; not available for private cars
How to pay
You cannot pay to enter - there is no daily charge or prepayment. PCNs are paid to the council: https://pcnportal.dundeecity.gov.uk/LEZ/Live/3sc
Payment deadline
Not applicable (no entry charge). PCN: pay within 14 days for 50% discount; pay or make representations within 28 days of the PCN.
If you don't pay
PCN of £60 for the first contravention, reduced by 50% (to £30) if paid within 14 days. The charge doubles for each further contravention by the same vehicle in the same LEZ within 90 days: £120, £240, £480, capped at £480 for cars, light goods vehicles (N1) and special purpose vehicles, and at £960 (5th and later) for minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs. Resets to £60 after 90 days with no contravention. Maximum one PCN per vehicle per day (midnight to 11:59pm). If not paid within 28 days a charge certificate increases the penalty by 50%.
Good to know
Enforcement started 30 May 2024. Dundee's own penalty table shows light goods vehicles (N1) rising to £960 at the 5th PCN, which conflicts with the Scottish Government and Edinburgh pages (N1 capped at £480); the national £480 cap is used here. The scheme can be suspended for major events or emergency diversions. Council does not accept Amex or JCB.
Sources: www.mygov.scot/low-emission-zones · www.mygov.scot/low-emission-zones/vehicles · www.mygov.scot/low-emission-zones/exemptions · www.mygov.scot/low-emission-zones/fines · www.transport.gov.scot/news/low-emission-zones-introduced-ac · www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/city-development/sustaina