Aberdeen's Low Emission Zone has been enforced since 1 June 2024 and runs 24 hours a day all year. The penalty rules are set nationally, so they are the same as in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee. Aberdeen is strict on one point: paying a penalty closes the case, including any appeal already sent.
Doubles for each further breach in the same zone, capped at £480 for cars and light goods vehicles and £960 for minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs. Resets after 90 days.
Where it applies
Aberdeen city centre. Use the council's LEZ map or Traffic Scotland's journey planner for the exact streets; we have not been able to confirm a street-by-street description from the council's own pages.
When it applies
24 hours a day, all year.
Who can enter
| Vehicle | Rule |
|---|---|
| Compliant vehicles | Free to enter |
| Non-compliant, non-exempt vehicles | Not allowed; £60 penalty |
Paying: You cannot pay to enter. Aberdeen City Council LEZ page. Check your vehicle: Scottish LEZ vehicle checker.
Exemptions, discounts and permits
- Blue Badge holders apply online for an exemption for a non-compliant vehicle.
- Time-limited exemptions of up to a year are for vehicles that cannot be replaced or retrofitted; privately owned vehicles are not considered.
How to challenge the penalty
You challenge by making written representations to Aberdeen City Council within 28 days of the date of service. The regulations count from the "date of service" of the notice. Use the date printed on your notice if it gives one.
These are the grounds the law allows, under the Low Emission Zones (Emission Standards, Exemptions and Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (SSI 2021/177):
| Ground | When it fits | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| The contravention did not happen | The vehicle meets the standard, is exempt (for example a registered Blue Badge holder was in it), or was not driven in the zone. | reg 8(4)(a) |
| I was not the registered keeper on that date | You were not the keeper on the detection date (sold before, bought after, or never yours). | reg 8(4)(b) |
| Someone else is liable (hirer, buyer or trader) | You were the keeper, but the vehicle was on hire, had been sold or transferred, or was used by a motor trader, so the law makes that person liable. | reg 8(4)(c), 5 and 8(5) |
| The penalty is not payable by me as hirer or user | The notice was sent to you as hirer, buyer or trader, but you were not that person at the time. | reg 8(4)(d) |
| The penalty is more than the law allows | For example a surcharge was added although more than 90 days had passed since the last contravention in that vehicle and zone. | reg 8(4)(e) and 4(6)–(7) |
| Extenuating circumstances | The contravention did happen, but it would be unreasonable to penalise you, for example a medical emergency or an official diversion through the zone. | reg 8(4)(f) |
Scotland is the only scheme here where "extenuating circumstances" is a full legal ground (reg 8(4)(f)), so the tribunal can allow an appeal on it.
Challenge online: official page.
- Appeal online or in writing, not by phone. The fine is put on hold while the appeal is considered.
- Do not pay if you want to appeal: payment closes the case.
If the authority says no
It sends a notice of rejection. You then have 28 days to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (General Regulatory Chamber), or to pay. See our guide to appealing to the tribunal.
Worked example
A first PCN for a non-compliant van is £60, or £30 if paid within 14 days of service. A second within 90 days is £120.
Can I challenge this charge? Free check
Free. Your answers stay on this device. Nothing is sent to us.
Letters for Aberdeen LEZ
Built from your checker answers, with the right grounds and regulation numbers for your scheme. You see the start of the letter before you pay, then edit it and download it as Word or PDF.
Representation letter
Your formal challenge to the authority, citing each ground that fits with its regulation number, the evidence you enclose and a request to cancel.
Start my letterFull pack
The representation, a tribunal appeal statement, replies at the charge certificate and debt registration stages, witness statement and out-of-time wording, and a bailiff fee check.
Start the full packOne penalty per purchase, usable for 6 months. Full refund within 14 days if you haven't downloaded a letter. Templates you send yourself, not legal advice. See sample letters
Questions people ask
Can a private car get a time-limited exemption?
No. Aberdeen says privately owned vehicles will not be considered for time-limited exemptions.
Sources
Last checked: 13 November 2026. Every fact on this page was checked against these official pages. How we check
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