Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in Belgium

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Belgian low emission zones: which cities are covered, which vehicles are admitted, compulsory registration and fines.

Coverage, Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in Belgium

Lesson objectives

Understand what a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is and identify the three zones in Belgium Locate your vehicle's Euro standard and verify its eligibility in an LEZ Know the access rules specific to each zone and the consequences of non-compliance

What is a Low Emission Zone (LEZ)?

The code defines the concept itself, in article 2.63 : a "low emission zone" is "a zone whose access by motor vehicles is subject to a selective access policy justified by reasons related to quality of life, in particular because of the nuisances caused by these vehicles on the environment and health due to poor air quality ". The same article specifies the signalling: the beginning of the zone is marked by signal F117 , the end by signal F118 . The traffic code stops there: the access conditions are not governed by it but by regional texts, which it expressly refers to, the Brussels ordinance of 2 May 2013 (Brussels Code of Air, Climate and Energy Management), the Flemish decree of 27 November 2015 relating to low emission zones and the Walloon decree of 17 January 2019 . This is why the rules differ from one city to another.

LEZ entry sign in urban area

How does access to an LEZ work? The Euro standard

Access to an LEZ is regulated according to the Euro standard of your vehicle. This standard defines the level of polluting emissions your car is authorised to produce. The higher the Euro standard number, the more recent the vehicle and the stricter the pollutant emission limits. For example, a Euro 6 vehicle is more environmentally friendly than a Euro 4 vehicle. Each LEZ sets a minimum Euro standard to authorise access. Vehicles that do not comply with this standard are prohibited from circulating in the zone.

Euro standard

European standard setting the maximum emission limits for new vehicles. It is found in section V.9 of the registration certificate. The higher the number, the more recent the vehicle and the less it is allowed to pollute , a Euro 6 is subject to stricter limits than a Euro 4. It is this number, not the apparent age or condition of the vehicle, that determines access to a low emission zone.

Where to find your vehicle's Euro standard

Your vehicle's Euro standard is shown on the registration certificate (registration document) , which is the official identity document of your car. You will find it in section V.9 of the certificate. This is the only reliable source for verifying whether your vehicle is admitted to an LEZ.

Checking your eligibility: the method, not the number

The minimum Euro standards required change regularly and differ from one zone to another: memorising them is pointless and quickly becomes outdated. What matters is the method. 1. Read your vehicle's Euro standard in section V.9 of your registration certificate. 2. Check the rule in force in the zone concerned with the regional or local authority. 3. If your vehicle does not meet the required standard, you cannot enter, you go around or use public transport. In the exam, you will be asked where the Euro standard is read and when the zone applies, not what number a particular city requires this year.

The three low emission zones in Belgium

Although the three Belgian LEZs operate on the same principle (restriction based on Euro standard), each has its own access rules and its own minimum required standards . Before visiting one of these cities, consult the official information to find out: The minimum Euro standard required The hours of application (some zones may have limited hours) Any exceptions (emergency vehicles, school transport, etc.)

The three LEZs in Belgium

Antwerp (Antwerpen) , Flemish urban zone Brussels , Capital city urban zone Ghent (Gent) , Flemish urban zone

Urban traffic in a low emission zone

When does the LEZ apply?

Frequent exam question: when does the signal marking the beginning of a low emission zone apply? Answer: permanently . Unless otherwise indicated on an additional sign, the zone applies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week , including public holidays. Unlike a prohibition with specific hours, it has no off-peak period. And unlike a standard prohibition sign, its scope does not stop at the next junction: it runs from F117 to F118 .

Common exam trap : Do not confuse with other zones (speed-limited zones, pedestrian zones) which may have specific hours. An LEZ always applies, unless explicitly indicated otherwise on an additional sign.

Signals F117 and F118

The code precisely names the two signals (art. 2.63): the F117 marks the beginning of a low emission zone, the F118 marks its end . These are zonal signals: between the F117 and F118, the regulations apply to all roads within the zone, not just the street where the sign is posted. Do not confuse them with an ordinary prohibition signal, whose scope ends at the next intersection.

Crit'Air Sticker

Certificate of pollutant emissions affixed to the windscreen of a vehicle, used in certain European countries (notably France) to regulate access to low emission zones. In Belgium, the system is based on the Euro standard of the registration certificate rather than a physical sticker.

Consequences of non-compliance with LEZ rules

Entering a low emission zone with a non-compliant vehicle exposes you to a regional administrative fine , the amount and procedure of which are set by the applicable regional text, not by the highway code, which merely defines the zone and sets its signalling. Control is mainly carried out by automatic number plate reading : the absence of a physical barrier does not mean the absence of control. Some zones provide for prior registration for foreign vehicles, and temporary passes in limited numbers.

Practical advice : Before travelling to Antwerp, Brussels or Ghent, consult the official websites of the local authorities to find out the exact LEZ rules. Check your Euro standard on your registration certificate (section V.9). If you are not compliant, use public transport or bypass the zone.

The eco-score: a complementary tool

Beyond the Euro standard, there is another indicator: the eco-score . This indicator is expressed by a value between 0 and 100 : the higher it is, the more environmentally friendly the vehicle is. The eco-score allows you to compare different vehicles according to their technologies and fuels, regardless of their Euro standard. Although it is not directly used for access to LEZs in Belgium, it provides a complementary view of a vehicle's environmental impact.

Eco-score

Environmental indicator of a vehicle, expressed on a scale of 0 to 100. The higher the value, the more ecological the vehicle is. It takes into account engine technology, fuel type and other environmental performance factors.

Summary of key points

Legal definition (art. 2.63): zone whose access to motor vehicles is subject to a selective access policy for reasons of air quality Signalling : F117 at the beginning, F118 at the end, zonal signals, the scope does not end at the next intersection Application : 24/7 , unless otherwise stated on an additional sign Access conditions : set by the Regions , Brussels ordinance of 2 May 2013, Flemish decree of 27 November 2015, Walloon decree of 17 January 2019, therefore different depending on the zone Euro standard : section V.9 of the registration certificate; the higher the number, the stricter the emission limits The required thresholds are evolving : remember the verification method, not a specific number Penalty : regional administrative fine, control by automatic number plate reading Eco-score (0 to 100): complementary indicator, with no effect on zone access

What now?

First take the quiz for this lesson to validate your learning, then practise on the exam simulator and MCQs . Next lesson: Eco-driving and vehicle maintenance .

BelgianLicenses

Theory without practice is forgotten: move on to the MCQs to durably anchor your learning.