Where is the Aberdeen Low Emission Zone?
The boundary of Aberdeen’s LEZ is overly complicated. It includes parts of Virginia St, Market St and WIllowbank Rd to the south, parts of Holburn St and Albyn Place to the west, and a section of Schoolhill that is currently blocked off to through-traffic in the north. Main city centre carparks such as Harriet St, Loch St, Denburn and Trinity Centre can be accessed without entering the LEZ, although the Denburn Rd underpass is included in the enforcement area.
How does it work?
Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras identifies whether vehicles coming into the zone are compliant. Non-compliant vehicles are fined on an increasing basis, at £60 for a first offence (£30 if paid quickly), increasing to a maximum of £480 for cars and light goods vehicles, or £960 for buses and heavy goods vehicles.
How do I check if my vehicles are compliant?
As a result of FSB lobbying, Transport Scotland set up this simple online vehicle registration checker. As a general rule petrol vehicles made after 2006 and diesel vehicles made after 2015 should be compliant, although it’s best to double check.
Are there any exemptions or extensions?
Blue badge holders are able to apply for an exemption. Motorcycles and mopeds are not affected by the scheme. Taxis have an additional year (1 June 2025) to comply.
Is there any available support to get a compliant vehicle?
Yes. Micro businesses can apply for support through the Energy Saving Trust for the disposal of non-LEZ compliant vehicles and may qualify for extra help to purchase a purpose built cargo or electric cargo bike to support their business needs.
What are affected FSB members thinking?
Business owners fully expect any additional costs incurred by their suppliers, due to the LEZ, to be passed onto them. Many believe that the cumulative effect of city centre policies that restrict private vehicular access will reduce customer numbers further.
Many organisations are working positively and collectively to make Aberdeen city centre more vibrant and attractive, but FSB members know that their customers want ever-easier and ever-faster access to their city centre shops, not websites that help them pre-plan an avoidance route around imposed barriers.
Policies aiming to “transition” shoppers away from private vehicles and onto public transport do not feel very “just” for hard-pressed small business owners who are still recovering through pandemic, cost-of-living and cost-of-doing-business crises.
FSB continues to bring the opinions of FSB members to policy makers; advocating on their behalf and helping small business owners sustain their businesses through the good and the more difficult times.
More information on the Aberdeen LEZ…
https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/roads-transport-and-parking/low-emission-zone