The government of the Brussels-Capital Region has confirmed that it will create a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Brussels. The aim of this is to prevent the worst-polluting vehicles from entering Brussels from 2018 in order to protect the environment and the health of its citizens. Whom will this affect? Where will it be? When will it be implemented? How does it work? KBC Brussels can help answer your questions about driving in the capital.
When will it be implemented?
The LEZ will be progressively enforced in Brussels from January 2018. In the first year, only the worst-polluting diesel vehicles will be affected (Euro 1 or no Euro emissions standard). Petrol vehicles will not be affected in 2018. After that, petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned based on their age. From 2025, only Euro 6 standard (or higher) vehicles will be allowed in Brussels.
Where will it be?
The LEZ covers the 19 districts of the Brussels-Capital Region. Certain exceptions will be made for access roads to the park & ride sites on the outskirts of the city. The ring road will not be affected.
Which vehicles are affected?
The ban will cover private cars, vans under 3.5 tonnes, buses and coaches, registered in Belgium or abroad, that no longer comply with the current Euro emissions standard. You can usually find your vehicle’s Euro emissions standard in the vehicle registration document. If not, visit www.ecoscore.be and enter the chassis number indicated in your vehicle registration document. For reference, the Euro 1 standard corresponds to vehicles first registered between 1992 and 1996. If your vehicle was first registered after 2011, it will generally be classed as Euro 5 and will not be affected by the ban before 2025.
Other vehicles (heavy goods, two-wheeled, etc.) will not be affected (view full list here).
How does it work?
As a vehicle enters the city, it is automatically checked by smart cameras, which scan the vehicle’s number plate and compare it with a database containing the vehicle’s registrations and Euro emissions standard. From summer 2018, you must notify the relevant authorities in Brussels if your vehicle was registered abroad.
What are the penalties?
Drivers will be fined 350 euros if their number plate is scanned and found to be non-compliant. However, some exemptions are allowed, and day passes will be available to purchase after summer 2018 granting holders access to Brussels for one day, with a maximum of eight days per year.
Want to know more about the Low Emissions Zone in Brussels?
Visit www.lez.brussels, the official LEZ website of the Brussels-Capital Region.
