A minibus belonging to a local charity in my constituency received LEZ fines of £500. As of 1 March 2021 the LEZ emissions standards for HGVs, vans and other specialist heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes(GVW) as well as for buses, minibuses and coaches over 5 tonnes (GVW) changed from Euro IV for particulate matter (PM) to Euro VI for PM and nitrogen oxides (NOX). These vehicles need to meet the Euro VI emission standard or pay a daily charge of £100.

However, this minibus is ULEZ compliant until 2025 as it is registered as a disabled PCV. When the charity then applied for an LEZ Account, they found that they were indeed LEZ compliant, and do not have to pay the charge. Given that no changes have been made to the minibus, how can they be complaint with an LEZ permit on the basis of their disabled PCV status, but still have incurred fines on the basis of non-compliance with the standards set out above? Is there a gap in TfL systems, whereby some vehicles are receiving fines because they are not aware of the need to apply for an LEZ account? How many other vehicles might this error apply to, and how will TfL remedy this situation?

I would ask your constituent to contact Transport for London with details of the relevant vehicle so that TfL can urgently investigate the issues described by your constituent.

Some organisations who operate minibuses used for community transport may be eligible to register for a temporary 100 per cent discount from the ULEZ charge until 29 October 2023. A small number of these vehicles may now be subject to LEZ since the LEZ emissions standards were tightened in March 2021 and it is possible that your constituent’s vehicle falls into this category