Last year, a record number of fines were issued in the Brussels Region to motorists who entered the Brussels Low Emission Zone (LEZ) with a car that was highly polluting. This is clear from the numbers issued by the Environment Agency in Brussels.
Nearly 30,000 drivers (29,643 drivers) were fined, an increase of almost 60 percent compared to 2022. Anyone driving in the area with a highly polluting car will receive a fine of 350 euros.
On 1 January 2022, the LEZ rules were tightened and diesel vehicles with Euro 4 or lower are no longer allowed in the zone. Petrol cars with Euro 1 or lower are also no longer welcome. Euro 4 diesel cars received a warning instead of a fine until June 30. This long warning period resulted in a limited number of fines in 2022.
The number of fines increased last year due to the severity. In 2020, 12,321 fines were issued, and in 2021, this amounted to 16,642 fines. A motorist can only be fined once every three months (every quarter). Vehicles with a foreign license plate that are highly polluting will not receive a fine in Brussels when entering the LEZ.
The next significant tightening of the LEZ zone in Brussels is scheduled for January 1, 2025. From then on, Euro 5 diesel vehicles and Euro 2 petrol vehicles will be banned from the zone. Scooters, motorcycles and trucks will also be included in the scheme from 2025.
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