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About Low Emission Zones in Scotland

Vehicle exemptions for Low Emission Zones

Last updated
2 Apr 2026

Certain non-compliant vehicles are ‘exempt’ from Low Emission Zone (LEZ) restrictions. This means they can be driven in a LEZ.

These are:

  • vehicles for disabled people
  • emergency service vehicles, such as a police car or ambulance
  • military vehicles
  • vehicles of historic interest that meet specific criteria
  • showman’s vehicles that meet specific criteria

Vehicles for disabled people

Blue Badge holders

If you have a Blue Badge, your vehicle may be exempt from the emission standards.

The exemption applies to:

  • a vehicle driven by any Blue Badge holder
  • a vehicle with a passenger who has a Blue Badge
  • a vehicle being driven with an organisation’s Blue Badge

Before you drive in a LEZ, you can register your exemption. Register for a Blue Badge exemption.

You only need to do this if your vehicle is non-compliant with the emission standards. Check if you can drive your vehicle in a LEZ.

If you do not register your exemption, you may get a fine. You can appeal it with the council. Check information on LEZ fines.

Vehicle tax exemption or reduction

If you get a vehicle tax exemption or reduction, your vehicle may be exempt from the emission standards.

To be exempt, both of the following must apply:

  • you get an exemption or a reduction in vehicle tax
  • your vehicle is registered in the ‘disabled vehicle’ or ‘disabled passenger vehicle’ tax class

If you get an exemption, your vehicle will be automatically recognised as exempt. You do not need to do anything.

If you get a reduction, your vehicle may not be automatically recognised as exempt. If you get a fine, you can appeal it with the council. Check information on LEZ fines.

Vehicles of historic interest

Your vehicle is exempt and can be driven in a LEZ if it is of historic interest to the United Kingdom.

To be exempt, all of the following must apply to the vehicle:

  • it was either manufactured or registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994, for the first time at least 30 years ago
  • it is no longer in production
  • it is historically preserved or maintained in its original state
  • it is free from substantial changes in the technical characteristics of its main components

Your vehicle will be automatically recognised as exempt. You do not need to do anything.

Showman’s vehicles

These are known in law as a ‘showman’s vehicle’ or ‘showman’s goods vehicle’. This refers to specialist vehicles used by travelling showpeople.

Your vehicle is exempt and can be driven in a LEZ if it meets the legal definition in Section 62(1) of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994. 

Before you drive your vehicle in an LEZ, you must register it as exempt with the local council. Contact the local council to do this.

Local exemptions

Councils can allow their own local time-limited exemptions of up to one year. For example, so that highly specialised construction or recovery vehicles can be driven in a LEZ.

You can check local exemptions on each council’s website:

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