What you need to know about the LEZ from a professional point of view

Do you often enter the LEZ for professional purposes? Are you an entrepreneur or a merchant? Then have a look at these questions below.

Are vans (category N1), trucks (category N2/N3), buses (category M2/M3) and agricultural and forestry truckers subject to the same entry requirements?
I drive a diesel-powered vehicle for interventions on public roads. What should I do?
I drive a diesel-powered vehicle used within the scope of markets, carnivals and itinerant trades. What should I do?
I need to enter the low-emission zone with a mobile crane. What should I do?
I need to enter the low-emission zone with an abnormal load. What should I do?
What about commercial number plates (dealer plates)?
Are there any communication materials about the low-emission zone which I can distribute through my channels?
Is it possible to enter the low-emission zone with buses operated by schools or other institutions?
Are there any specific premiums or subsidies for entrepreneurs and companies?

Are vans (category N1), trucks (category N2/N3), buses (category M2/M3) and agricultural and forestry truckers subject to the same entry requirements?

Yes. The entry requirements for the low-emission zone apply to passenger transport (category M), freight transport (category N) and agricutlral and forestry tractors (category T). Euro 4 standard diesel-powered vehicles and some specific vehicles qualify for a paid permit. The price depends on the vehicle category.

Click here for an overview.

I drive a diesel-powered vehicle for interventions on public roads. What should I do?

If you drive a Euro 3 or 4 standard diesel-powered vehicles used for the supervision, inspection and maintenance of infrastructure and installations of public interest, you can enter the low-emission zone with a paid temporary permit.

More information can be found here.

I drive a diesel-powered vehicle used within the scope of markets, carnivals and itinerant trades. What should I do?

  • Euro 4 standard diesel-powered vehicles used within the scope of markets, carnivals and itinerant trades qualify for a paid temporary permit at the regular price.
  • Euro 3 standard diesel-powered vehicles used within the scope of markets, carnivals and itinerant trades qualify for a paid temporary permit at an increased price provided that they meet specific conditions.
  • Diesel-powered vehicles used within the scope of markets and itinerant trades that fail to meet the Euro 3 standard qualify for a paid temporary permit at an increased price II provided that they meet specific conditions.
  • Owners of carnival vehicles can apploy for a LEZ day pass up to 12 times a year.

I need to enter the low-emission zone with a mobile crane. What should I do?

A mobile crane that does not meet the entry requirements needs to be registered before you enter the low-emission zone with this vehicle.

More information can be found here.

I need to enter the low-emission zone with an abnormal load. What should I do?

An abnormal load with a valid permit from the Flemish Roads and Traffic Agency that does not meet the entry requirements for the low-emission zone needs to be registered before you enter the low-emission zone with this vehicle.

More information can be found here.


What about commercial number plates (dealer plates)?

There are two categories of commercial number plates: dealer plates (starting with the letter Z) and test drive plates (starting with the letters ZZ). These number plates are not linked to one vehicle.The owner of the number plate assumes responsibility to use the number plate in a responsible manner:

  • If a commercial number plate is attached to a vehicle only allowed to enter the LEZ with a paid temporary permit, the owner has the possibility to buy a permit.
  • If a commercial number plate is attached to a vehicle not allowed to enter the LEZ, the owner has the possibility to buy a LEZ day pass up to eight times a year.

The use of commercial number plates will be checked by law enforcement officers in the street.

Are there any communication materials about the low-emission zone which I can distribute through my channels?

Yes, there are. Do you want to inform your customers, staff or pupils about the low-emission zone? Readymade materials (video, web banners) are available. Please send an email to lez@stad.gent.

Is it possible to enter the low-emission zone with buses operated by schools or other institutions?

Only buses for transporting people with disabilities are exempt from the entry requirements. Buses operated by school, De Lijn or other institutions will have to meet the general standards.

Are there any specific premiums or subsidies for entrepreneurs and companies?

Yes, there are. The City of Ghent wants to support Ghent-based companies and entrepreneurs as much as possible in switching to environmentally friendly means of transport. An overview of subsidies for Ghent-based entrepreneurs and companies can be found here.