What emission standard do lorries need in London's LEZ?

Euro VI (NOx and PM), since 1 March 2021. A heavy vehicle meeting Euro IV or V pays £100 a day; one not meeting Euro IV pays £300.

Is the LEZ the same as the ULEZ?

No. In London, HGVs and other vehicles over 3.5 tonnes fall under the London-wide LEZ; the ULEZ charge of £12.50 a day applies to cars, vans and minibuses that don't meet its standards.

Does a truck need a sticker for a German Umweltzone?

Yes. In Berlin the green sticker is required to enter, and the stickers are valid in every German environmental zone. Driving in without one, or an exemption, costs €100.

Term

Low-emission zone (LEZ)

A low-emission zone (LEZ) is an area where vehicles may enter only if they meet an emission standard, or must pay to. The European Commission counts low and zero-emission zones as 73% of Europe's urban vehicle access regulations. London's LEZ requires heavy vehicles to meet Euro VI or pay up to £300 a day.

Also called LEZ, London LEZ, Umweltzone, urban vehicle access regulation, UVAR, clean air zoneApplies in EU, UKUpdated 14 October 2026

London's LEZ for heavy vehicles

HGV or other vehicle over 3.5 t	Daily charge
Meets Euro VI (NOx and PM)	None
Meets Euro IV or V (PM only)	£100
Does not meet Euro IV (PM only)	£300

TfL's comparison of London's schemes; standards in force since 1 March 2021

The zone covers most of Greater London and runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Heavy vehicles fall under the LEZ rather than the ULEZ, whose £12.50 daily charge is for cars, vans and minibuses. Separately, London's Direct Vision Standard requires an HGV safety permit to operate HGVs over 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight in Greater London, and since 28 October 2024 zero to two-star vehicles must have the Progressive Safe System fitted.

Worked example: a week in London

Euro V truck in the LEZ for 7 days → 7 × £100 = £700 · a truck below Euro IV → 7 × £300 = £2,100 · a Euro VI truck → £0

Daily charges from TfL's comparison table of London's schemes; the week is illustrative.

Germany's green sticker

German environmental zones work by sticker. In Berlin the green sticker is required to enter the Umweltzone, and driving or parking there without one or an exemption costs a €100 fine; the stickers are valid in every environmental zone in Germany. The Commission groups LEZs with zero-emission zones and congestion charging as urban vehicle access regulations, where access usually depends on vehicle type, emission class and payment of fees.

The mistake people make

Assuming a truck welcome in one city is welcome in the next. The Commission notes the challenges of these schemes are particularly serious for foreign vehicles, even zero-emission ones. A route that passes London and Berlin needs Euro VI or a daily charge in one, and a green sticker in the other.

FAQ