Frequently asked questions about the low-emission zone in Ghent
Do you have a question about the low-emission zone? Check here to see if your question is already answered.
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Introducing an LEZ is one of the most effective measures for improving air quality. See the air quality in Ghent.
If you buy a second-hand car, the seller must give you a Car-Pass for the vehicle. The Car-Pass provides useful information, including the Euro emissions standard.
No, that does not exist.
Please note: some commercial companies offer to get your vehicle in compliance for the Ghent low-emission zone for a fee and provide a sticker for their customers. The City of Ghent has nothing to do with this service. The stickers therefore have no legal value whatsoever. The verification by the City of Ghent is done on the basis of the number plate and is fully automated.
Yes, buses operated by schools, De Lijn and other institutions must meet general standards.
An environmental sticker from another country does not mean automatic access to the low-emission zone. Check the conditions for entering for foreign vehicles.
The confirmation e-mail accompanying your request will state the end date.
Do you not have the e-mail anymore? Check your number plate in the check tool.
For authorisation for 4 months or 1 year, you will receive a reminder e-mail a few weeks before expiry.
Yes, that is possible.
- Your authorisation has not yet started: you will receive a full refund. Request cancellation at the latest the day before the start date via the contact form.
- Your authorisation is still valid for more than 1 month: You get a partial refund.
How do you submit a request?- Submit your request via the contact form.
- This must be submitted by the original applications for authorisation, the number plate holder or their legal successor(s).
- Be sure to include the request number of the authorisation, the number plate and the account number where you want to receive the refund.
A particulate filter does not change your vehicle's euro emissions standard. Authorisation to enter the LEZ is based on your euro emissions standard and fuel. Check the conditions for access here.
Currently, that is not possible. The residents' permit to park for free near your home is only valid in that zone. A car that is not authorised to enter the LEZ can therefore no longer park there. Unless your vehicle qualifies to pay for a temporary permit.
On your car's registration certificate, or can you still not find it? Then you can also find it on the website of the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW ).
If the vehicle's number plate changes, you need to buy a new authorisation or register again.
If you resell the vehicle, the new owner must buy an authorisation or register again. Indeed, authorisations and registrations are not transferable.
This is not necessary when:
- the owner must apply for a new number plate through no fault of his own (if the number plate has been stolen or if the number plate has been declared 'to be replaced')
- the person in whose name the number plate is registered has died and someone living at the same address takes over the vehicle with a new number plate.
Please note: In the above cases, you must register this via stad.gent/lezcontact. If the registration is not in compliance, you still risk an LEZ fine.
The LEZ database relies on data from DIV (Vehicle Registration Service). Among other things, DIV uses the foreign registration certificate and conformity certificate. You hand over the original files to the DIV. Be sure to make a copy of those documents.
What do you definitely need to look out for?
- The euro emissions standard on the vehicle's Belgian registration certificate is the official euro emissions standard for the LEZ.
- Is there no euro emissions standard? Then the date of first registration of the vehicle applies. Use the online check tool to see whether you can enter the LEZ.
- Do you suspect that the euro emissions standard on your Belgian registration certificate does not match the actual euro emissions standard? Contact DIV for a possible modification. In the meantime, you can already request a correction from us with the necessary obligatory supporting documents. You can bring your vehicle into compliance until the day after you enter the LEZ.