PART 1 Preliminary

Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Low Emission Zones (Emission Standards, Exemptions and Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 and come into force on 31 May 2021.

(2) In these Regulations—

“the 2019 Act” means the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019,

“the 1994 Act” means the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994( 3),

“ambulance” means a vehicle within category M intended for the transport of sick or injured persons and having special equipment for such purpose,

“the appeal period” means the period of 28 days beginning with the date of service of the notice of rejection,

“approved device” means a device approved for use in connection with the operation of a Low Emission Zone scheme in accordance with regulation 20 (approved devices) of the Low Emission Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2021( 4),

“bus” means a vehicle within category M₃,

“category M” means vehicles designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of passengers and their luggage, sub-divided into categories M₁, M₂and M₃,

“category M₁” means a vehicle designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of passengers with not more than 8 seating positions in addition to the driver’s seating position,

“category M₂” means a vehicle designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of passengers with more than eight seating positions in addition to the driver’s seating position and having a maximum mass not exceeding 5 tonnes,

“category M₃” means a vehicle designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of passengers with more than eight seating positions in addition to the driver’s seating position and having a maximum mass exceeding 5 tonnes,

“category N₁” means a vehicle designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of goods with a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes,

“category N₂” means a vehicle designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of goods with a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes,

“category N₃” means a vehicle designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of goods with a maximum mass exceeding 12 tonnes,

“CH₄” means methane,

“coach” means a vehicle within category M₃,

“compression ignition engine” means an internal combustion engine in which combustion is initiated by heat produced from compression of the air in the cylinder or combustion space,

“compression ignition engine vehicle” includes a vehicle which is propelled wholly or partly by a compression ignition engine,

“contravention” means a contravention of the prohibition in section 6(1) (restriction on driving within a zone) of the 2019 Act,

“CO” means carbon monoxide,

“the detection date” means the date on which the contravention occurred, according to a record produced by an approved device,

“ Directive 70/220/EEC” means Council Directive 70/220/EECon the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be taken against air pollution by gases from positive-ignition engines of motor vehicles( 5) as it had effect immediately before its repeal,

“ Directive 88/77/EEC” means Council Directive 88/77/EECon the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous pollutants from diesel engines for use in vehicles( 6) as it had effect immediately before its repeal,

“ Directive 97/24/EC” means Directive 97/24/ECof the European Parliament and of the Council on certain components and characteristics of two or three-wheel motor vehicles( 7) as it had effect immediately before its repeal,

“ELR test” means a test cycle consisting of a sequence of load steps at constant engine speeds to be applied in accordance with section 6.2 of Annex 1 of Directive 88/77/EEC,

“ESC test” means a test cycle consisting of 13 steady state modes to be applied in accordance with section 6.2 of Annex 1 of Directive 88/77/EEC,

“ETC test” means a test a test cycle consisting of 1,800 second-by-second transient modes to be applied in accordance with section 6.2 of Annex 1 of Directive 88/77/EEC,

“euro 3” means—

of Chapter 5 of Directive 97/24/EC,

“euro 4” means the emissions limit values set out in the rows corresponding with Category B in the first of the tables at section 5.3.1.4 of Annex 1 of Directive 70/220/EEC,

“euro IV” means the emissions limit values set out in Row B1 of Table 1 and Table 2 of section 6.2.1 of Annex 1 of Directive 88/77/EEC,

“euro 6” means the emissions limit values set out in Table 2 of Annex 1 of Regulation (EC) No 715/2007of the European Parliament and of the Council on type approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles( 8),

“euro VI” means the emissions limit values set out in the Table in Annex 1 of Regulation (EC) No 595/2009of the European Parliament and of the Council on type-approval of motor vehicles and engines with respect to emissions from heavy duty vehicles( 9),

“First-tier Tribunal” means the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (see section 1(1) (establishment of the tribunals) of the Tribunals (Scotland) Act 2014( 10)),

“hearse” means a vehicle within category M intended for the transport of deceased persons and having special equipment for such a purpose,

“heavy goods vehicle” means—

“HC” means hydrocarbons,

“light goods vehicle” means a vehicle within category N₁,

“light passenger vehicle” means a vehicle within category M₁,

“local authority” means the local authority operating a low emission zone scheme or, as the case may be, local authorities jointly operating such a scheme,

“maximum mass” means the technically permissible maximum laden mass as specified by the manufacturer,

“minibus” means a vehicle within category M₂,

“motor caravan” means a vehicle within category M with living accommodation space which contains the following equipment as a minimum—

where this equipment must be rigidly fixed to the living compartment but the table may be designed to be easily removable,

“moped” means a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle with a maximum design speed of not more than 45 km/h that is characterised by—

“motorcycle” means a two-wheeled vehicle fitted with an internal combustion engine having a cylinder capacity of more than 50 cm3 and having a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h,

“NH₃” means ammonia,

“NMHC” means non-methane hydrocarbons,

“NO_x” means oxides of nitrogen,

“notice of rejection” means the notice served on a person by a local authority under regulation 9(3), where the local authority is satisfied that none of the grounds on which representations have been made have been established,

“PM” means particulate matter,

“PN” means particle number,

“the payment period”, in relation to a penalty charge notice, means the period of 28 days beginning with the date of service of the notice,

“positive ignition engine” means an internal combustion engine in which combustion is initiated by a localised high temperature in the combustion chamber produced by energy supplied from a source external to the engine,

“positive ignition engine vehicle” includes a vehicle which is propelled wholly or partly by a positive ignition engine,

“reference mass” means the mass of the vehicle in running order less the uniform mass of the driver of 75 kilograms and increased by a uniform mass of 100 kilograms,

“registered keeper” means the person in whose name a vehicle is registered under section 21 (registration of vehicles) of the 1994 Act( 11),

“relevant vehicle” means the vehicle in which the contravention occurred,

“THC+NO_x” means combined mass of hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen,

“Type I” means a test as described in section 5.3 of Annex 1 of Directive 70/220/EEC(test for simulating/verifying the average tailpipe emissions after a cold start) and carried out using the procedure described in Annex 3 of that Directive,

“Type I for mopeds and motorcycles” means a test as described in section 2.2.1.1 of Annex 1 of Chapter 5 of Directive 97/24/ECand carried out using the procedure described in Appendix 1 of that Annex,

“Type II for mopeds and motorcycles” means a test as described in section 2.2.1.1 of Annex 1 of Chapter 5 of Directive 97/24/ECand carried out using the procedure described in Appendix 2 of that Annex,

“Upper Tribunal” means the Upper Tribunal for Scotland (see section 1(1) (establishment of the tribunals) of the Tribunals (Scotland) Act 2014),

“WHSC” means the World Harmonised Steady state Driving Cycle as defined in Regulation No. 49 of the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations( 12),

“WHTC” means the World Transient Steady state Driving cycle as defined in Regulation No. 49 of the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations,

“writing” and “written” include electronic communications within the meaning of section 15 (general interpretation) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000( 13).

PART 2 Emission standards and exemptions

Emission standards

2.  For the purpose of section 6(1)(a) (restriction on driving within a zone) of the 2019 Act( 14) the emission standard for—

(a) a compression ignition engine vehicle is the standard specified for that vehicle in—

(i) Table 1 in schedule 1 (euro 6 standards for compression ignition engine vehicles), or

(ii) Table 2 in schedule 1 (euro VI standards for compression ignition engine vehicles),

(b) a positive ignition engine vehicle is the standard specified for that vehicle in—

(i) Table 1 in schedule 2 (euro 4 standards for positive ignition engine vehicles), or

(ii) Table 2 in schedule 2 (euro IV standards for positive ignition engine vehicles),

(c) mopeds and motorcycles is standard specified for those vehicles in the Table in schedule 3 (euro 3).

Exemptions

3.—(1) For the purpose of section 6(1)(b) (restriction on driving within a zone) of the 2019 Act a vehicle is exempt if—

(a) it is being driven by any person—

(i) in the exercise of their duty as a constable,

(ii) providing a response to an emergency at the request of the Scottish Ambulance Service Board,

(iii) in the exercise of the functions of—

(aa) the Scottish Ambulance Service Board under article 4(1)(a) (functions of the Board) of the Scottish Ambulance Service Board Order 1999( 15),

(bb) the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service,

(cc) Her Majesty’s Coastguard,

(dd) the National Crime Agency,

(iv) for naval, military or air force purposes,

(b) it is being driven by a person to whom a badge has been issued under section 21(2) (badges for display on motor vehicles used by disabled persons) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970( 16),

(c) a passenger in the vehicle has been issued with a badge under that section of that Act,

(d) a badge for the vehicle has been issued under section 21(4) of that Act( 17),

(e) it is one to which paragraph 1ZA of schedule 1 (annual rates of duty) of the 1994 Act( 18) applies by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) of that paragraph,

(f) it is exempt from payment of vehicle excise duty under paragraph 19(1) or 20(1)( 19) of schedule 2 (exempt vehicles) of the 1994 Act,

(g) it is a showman’s goods vehicle or a showman’s vehicle,

(h) it is a vehicle of historical interest.

(2) In this regulation—

“showman’s goods vehicle” and “showman’s vehicle” have the meanings given by section 62(1)( 20) (other definitions) of the 1994 Act,

“vehicle excise duty” has the meaning given by section 1(1)( 21) (duty and licences) of the 1994 Act,

”vehicle of historical interest” means a vehicle which is considered to be of historical interest to the United Kingdom and which—

where “type” in relation to the vehicle has same meaning as “type of vehicle” in Article 3(32) of Regulation (EU) 2018/858of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles( 22).

PART 3 Penalty charges and enforcement

Penalty charges

4.—(1) The penalty charge payable in respect of a first contravention is the amount specified in the entry in column 3 of the table in schedule 4 corresponding to the vehicle type specified in column 1 of that table in which the contravention occurred.

(2) The penalty charge payable in respect of a second contravention is—

(a) the amount specified in the entry in column 3 of the table in schedule 4 corresponding to the vehicle type specified in column 1 of that table in which the contravention occurred, and

(b) the surcharge specified in column 4 of that table corresponding to the entry in column 1 of that table for that vehicle.

(3) The penalty charge payable in respect of a third contravention is—

(a) the amount specified in the entry in column 3 of the table in schedule 4 corresponding to the vehicle type specified in column 1 of that table in which the contravention occurred, and

(b) the second surcharge specified in column 5 of that table corresponding to the entry in column 1 of that table for that vehicle.

(4) The penalty charge payable in respect of a fourth contravention is—

(a) the amount specified in the entry in column 3 of the table in schedule 4 corresponding to the vehicle type specified in column 1 of that table in which the contravention occurred, and

(b) the third surcharge specified in column 6 of that table corresponding to the entry in column 1 of that table for that vehicle.

(5) The penalty charge payable in respect of a fifth and any subsequent contravention is—

(a) the amount specified in the entry in column 3 of the table in schedule 4 corresponding to the vehicle type specified in column 1 of that table in which the contravention occurred, and

(b) the fourth surcharge specified in column 7 of that table corresponding to the entry in column 1 of that table for that vehicle.

(6) This paragraph applies where—

(a) a person is found liable to pay a penalty charge under section 6(2) of the 2019 Act by virtue of a contravention occurring in a particular vehicle in relation to a particular low emission zone (“the relevant contravention”), and

(b) the relevant contravention occurs 90 days or more after that person’s most recent previous contravention for which they were found liable under section 6(2) of the 2019 Act in that particular vehicle in that particular zone.

(7) Where paragraph (6) applies, the relevant contravention is to be treated as if it were a first contravention for the purposes of paragraphs (1) to (5).

(8) If a penalty charge is paid before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date of service of a penalty charge notice under regulation 6, the penalty charge is reduced by 50 per cent.

(9) Where a charge certificate is served under regulation 7 the penalty charge is increased by 50 per cent.

(10) In this regulation—

“first contravention” refers to the first occasion in which a person is liable to pay a penalty charge under sections 6(2) and 7(4) (proving contraventions and issue of penalty charge notice) of the 2019 Act by virtue of a contravention occurring in a particular vehicle in relation to a particular low emission zone,

“second contravention” refers to the second occasion in which the same person as in the first contravention is liable to pay a penalty charge under sections 6(2) and 7(4) of the 2019 Act by virtue of a contravention occurring in the same vehicle and in relation to the same low emission zone as the first contravention,

“third contravention” refers to the third occasion in which the same person as in the first contravention is liable to pay a penalty charge under sections 6(2) and 7(4) of the 2019 Act by virtue of a contravention occurring in the same vehicle and in relation to the same low emission zone as the first contravention,

“fourth contravention” refers to the fourth occasion in which the same person as in the first contravention is liable to pay a penalty charge under sections 6(2) and 7(4) of the 2019 Act by virtue of a contravention occurring in the same vehicle and in relation to the same low emission zone as the first contravention,

“fifth and any subsequent contravention” refers to the fifth and any subsequent occasion in which the same person as in the first contravention is liable to pay a penalty charge under sections 6(2) and 7(4) of the 2019 Act( 23) by virtue of a contravention occurring in the same vehicle and in relation to the same low emission zone as the first contravention.

Liability of persons other than the registered keeper for penalty charges

5.—(1) A penalty charge under section 6(2) of the 2019 Act is payable by a person other than the registered keeper of a vehicle in the circumstances specified in paragraphs (2) to (5).

(2) Where the relevant vehicle is not registered in terms of section 21 (registration of vehicles) of the 1994 Act( 24), a penalty charge is payable by the person by whom the relevant vehicle was used or kept at the time of the contravention.

(3) Where the registered keeper has sold or transferred the relevant vehicle before the time of the contravention, a penalty charge is payable by the person by whom the relevant vehicle was used or kept at the time of the contravention.

(4) Where at the time of the contravention—

(a) the registered keeper of the relevant vehicle was a vehicle hire firm, and

(b) the relevant vehicle was hired to a person under a hiring agreement with the vehicle hire firm,

a penalty charge is payable by the person hiring the relevant vehicle.

(5) Where at the time of the contravention the relevant vehicle was used or kept by a person who was a vehicle trader and that vehicle trader was not the registered keeper, a penalty charge is payable by that person.

(6) In this regulation—

“hiring agreement” means an agreement for the hire of a vehicle—

“vehicle trader” has the same meaning as in regulation 3(1) (interpretation) of the Road Vehicle (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002( 27).

Penalty charge notices

6.—(1) Where a local authority has reason to believe that a penalty charge is payable under section 6(2) of the 2019 Act, it may serve a notice (“a penalty charge notice”) on—

(a) the registered keeper, or

(b) any person by whom the penalty charge is payable under regulation 5.

(2) A penalty charge notice must be served before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the detection date.

(3) But where—

(a) within 14 days of the detection date a local authority has made a request to the Secretary of State for the supply of relevant information, and

(b) that information has not been supplied before the end of the period described in paragraph (2),

the local authority may serve a penalty charge notice within 14 days beginning with the date on which the information is received under sub-paragraph (a).

(4) In paragraph (3) “relevant information” means—

(a) information relating to the identity and address of the registered keeper of the vehicle,

(b) the emission standard of the vehicle involved in the alleged contravention.

(5) A penalty charge notice must—

(a) specify the registration mark of the vehicle involved in the contravention,

(b) specify the detection date and time at which the alleged contravention occurred,

(c) specify the reasons why the local authority believes that a contravention has occurred and that a penalty charge is payable by the recipient of the notice,

(d) specify the amount of the penalty charge,

(e) describe the manner in which the penalty charge may be paid to the local authority which has served the notice under paragraph (1),

(f) state that the penalty charge must be paid before the end of the payment period, unless representations have been made under regulation 8(1),

(g) state that if the penalty charge is paid before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date of service of the penalty charge notice, the penalty charge will be reduced by 50 per cent,

(h) state that representations may be made, on any of the grounds specified in regulation 8(4), to the local authority against the decision to serve the penalty charge notice, but that representations made outside the payment period may be disregarded,

(i) state that the penalty charge must not be paid if representations have been made under regulation 8(1) and notice of a decision in respect of those representations has not been served under regulation 9(1)(b),

(j) state the grounds specified in regulation 8(4),

(k) specify where representations are to be sent,

(l) state that unless, before the end of the payment period—

(i) the penalty charge is paid, or

(ii) representations have been made under regulation 8(1),

the local authority may issue a charge certificate under regulation 7 (and describe the effect of that regulation were it to do so),

(m) state that if the representations are rejected an appeal may be made to the First-tier Tribunal against the decision to serve a penalty charge notice on any of the grounds specified in regulation 8(4),

(n) state that the recipient of the penalty charge notice may, by giving notice in writing to the local authority, request that the local authority provide the recipient, free of charge, with a copy of the record of the contravention produced by the approved device pursuant to which the penalty charge notice was served or with such still images from that record as, in the local authority’s opinion, establish the contravention.

(6) Where the recipient makes a request as described in paragraph (5)(n), the local authority must comply with the request within 14 days of receipt of that request.

(7) In this regulation “registration mark” has the meaning given by section 23 (registration marks) of the 1994 Act.

Charge certificates

7.—(1) Where—

(a) a penalty charge notice is served on a person, and

(b) the penalty charge to which it relates is not paid before the end of the relevant period,

the local authority that served the penalty charge notice may serve on that person a statement (a “charge certificate”) to the effect that the penalty charge is increased by 50 per cent.

(2) The ‘relevant period’ for the purposes of paragraph (1) means—

(a) where a notice of rejection is served but no appeal is made under regulation 10, the period of 28 days beginning with the date of service of the notice of rejection,

(b) where there has been an unsuccessful appeal against the imposition of the charge to the First-tier Tribunal and no subsequent appeal to the Upper Tribunal, the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which the decision of the First-tier Tribunal is sent to the appellant,

(c) where there has been an unsuccessful appeal against the imposition of the charge to the Upper Tribunal, the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which the decision of the Upper Tribunal is sent to the appellant,

(d) where an appeal to either the First-tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal is withdrawn, the period of 14 days beginning with the date on which it is withdrawn, and

(e) where no representations are made under regulation 8(1) within the payment period, that period.

(3) If representations are received by a local authority after the payment period and taken account of under regulation 8(3), the local authority must cancel a charge certificate served under paragraph (1).

(4) Where in relation to a penalty charge notice—

(a) the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) has expired, and

(b) the increased charge for which the charge certificate provides is not paid before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date on which the certificate is served,

the local authority concerned may recover the increased charge as if it were payable under an extract registered decree arbitral bearing a warrant for execution issued by the sheriff for any sheriffdom.

(5) In paragraph (4), “the increased charge” means the penalty charge payable in respect of a contravention in accordance with a charge certificate served in relation to that contravention under paragraph (1).

Representations in respect of penalty charges

8.—(1) The recipient of a penalty charge notice may make written representations within the payment period to the local authority against the decision to serve a penalty charge notice on any of the grounds specified in paragraph (4).

(2) Where a representation is made under paragraph (1), the recipient of the penalty charge notice must include evidence relevant to the specified ground relied upon.

(3) The local authority may consider whether it is reasonable and appropriate to take account of such representations made under paragraph (1) which are received by them after the end of the payment period.

(4) The specified grounds are—

(a) that the alleged contravention did not occur,

(b) where the penalty charge notice has been served on the recipient on the basis that the recipient was the registered keeper of the relevant vehicle, that the recipient was not the registered keeper on the detection date,

(c) where the recipient of the penalty charge notice was the registered keeper of the relevant vehicle on the detection date, that the penalty is payable by another person under regulation 5,

(d) where the penalty charge notice has been served on the recipient on the basis that the recipient, though not the registered keeper of the relevant vehicle, was the person by whom the penalty charge was payable under regulation 5, that the penalty charge was not payable by that person,

(e) that the penalty charge exceeded the amount applicable in the circumstances of the case, and

(f) that the contravention did occur but in light of extenuating circumstances, it would be unreasonable to impose a penalty charge notice.

(5) Where the ground mentioned in paragraph (4)(c) is relied on in any representations made under paragraph (1), those representations must include a statement of the name and address (if known) of the person who is considered by the recipient of the penalty charge notice to be responsible for payment of the penalty charge under regulation 5.

Response to representations

9.—(1) Where representations are made to a local authority under regulation 8(1) within the payment period, or taken account of by the local authority under regulation 8(3), it must—

(a) consider those representations and any supporting evidence provided,

(b) serve on the person by whom the representations were made a notice under paragraph (2) or, as the case may be, paragraph (3).

(2) Where a local authority accepts that at least one of the grounds specified in regulation 8(4) is established, it must—

(a) cancel the penalty charge notice,

(b) serve a notice on the person by whom representations were made—

(i) stating that the penalty charge notice has been cancelled,

(ii) explaining the local authority’s decision, and its reasons for that decision, on each of the grounds on which representations were made

(c) refund any penalty charge paid in relation to the cancelled penalty charge notice.

(3) Where a local authority is satisfied that none of the grounds on which representations are made is established, it must serve on the person by whom those representations were made a notice to that effect (“a notice of rejection”).

(4) A notice of rejection must—

(a) state the reasons for the local authority’s decision on each ground on which representations were made,

(b) state that an appeal against the imposition of the penalty charge may be made to the First-tier Tribunal within the appeal period, or such longer period as the First-tier Tribunal may allow,

(c) state the grounds upon which an appeal may be made (being the same grounds as are specified in regulation 8(4)),

(d) describe in general terms the manner and form for making an appeal,

(e) state that the First-tier Tribunal has power to make an award of expenses,

(f) state that if the penalty charge is paid before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date of service of the notice of rejection, the penalty charge will be reduced by 50 per cent, and

(g) state that unless, before the end of the appeal period—

(i) the penalty charge is paid, or

(ii) an appeal is made to the First-tier Tribunal against the imposition of the charge,

the local authority may issue a charge certificate under regulation 7 (and describe the effect of that regulation were it to do so).

(5) Where a penalty charge notice is cancelled under paragraph (2), the local authority may serve another penalty charge notice in relation to the alleged contravention that was the subject of the cancelled penalty charge notice on any person (other than the person on whom the original penalty charge notice was served) appearing to it to be liable to pay the charge in respect of that contravention.

(6) Regulation 6(2) to (6) applies in relation to a notice served under paragraph (5) as if—

(a) for paragraph (2) there were substituted—

“(2)  A penalty charge notice must be served before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which notification of cancellation is made under   regulation 9(2) ”,

(b) for sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (3) there were substituted—

“(a) within 14 days of the date on which the penalty charge notice is cancelled a local authority has made a request to the Secretary of State for the supply of relevant particulars ”, and

(c) in paragraph (3)(b), the reference to paragraph (2) were a reference to that paragraph as modified by sub-paragraph (b) of this paragraph.

Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal

10.—(1) A person on whom a penalty charge notice has been served may, on any of the grounds set out in regulation 8(4) and before the end of the appeal period or such longer period as the First-tier Tribunal may allow, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against the imposition of the penalty charge if—

(a) that person has made representations to the local authority under regulation 8(1), and

(b) that person has received from the local authority a notice of rejection under regulation 9(3).

(2) An appeal is to made by a notice of appeal sent in writing to the First-tier Tribunal.

Enforcement arrangements

11.  A local authority may enter into arrangements with any person for the exercise by that person of any function conferred by or under section 7 of the 2019 Act( 28) and these Regulations.

Interference with operation of low emission zone scheme

12.—(1) A person commits an offence if, with intent to avoid payment of, or with intent to avoid being identified as having failed to pay, a penalty charge payable under section 6(2) of the 2019 Act, the person—

(a) interferes with any approved device used for or in connection with a low emission zone scheme,

(b) interferes with any traffic sign or direction used for or in connection with a low emission zone scheme,

(c) causes or permits the registration plate of a motor vehicle to be obscured,

(d) makes or uses any false document, or

(e) makes a false representation in response to a penalty charge notice served in accordance with regulation 6.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

Regulation 2(1)(a)

SCHEDULE 1 Euro Standards for Compression Ignition Engine Vehicles

In this schedule vehicle categories M₁to M₃include ambulances, hearses and motor caravans.

Regulation 2(1)(b)

SCHEDULE 2 Euro Standards for Positive Ignition Engine Vehicles

In this schedule vehicle categories M₁to M₃include ambulances, hearses and motor caravans.

Regulation 2(1)(c)

SCHEDULE 3 Euro Standards for Mopeds and Motorcycles

Regulation 4

SCHEDULE 4 Penalty Charge Rates

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make provision for the operation of low emission zone schemes.

In Part 2—

(a) regulation 2 and schedules 1 to 3 set out the emission standards with which vehicles must comply in order for those vehicles to be driven within a low emission zone, and

(b) regulation 3 sets out the vehicles which are permanently exempt from the requirement to comply with those standards within a low emission zone.

Regulations 4 to 12 in Part 3 make provision for penalty charges imposed as a consequence of a contravention of section 6(1) of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, and for the enforcement of a low emission zone scheme by the local authority, or authorities, operating the scheme.

Regulation 4 and schedule 4 specify—

(a) the penalty charges, including certain surcharges, for non-compliance with the emission standards set by these Regulations where an exemption does not apply,

(b) the discount for early payment of a penalty charge.

Regulation 5 establishes the circumstances under which a person other than the registered keeper of a vehicle is to be held liable for a penalty charge.

Regulation 6 provides for penalty charge notices to be served by local authorities. Regulation 6(2) establishes that a penalty charge notice must be served before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the detection date. Regulation 6(5) sets out the required content of a penalty charge notice.

Regulation 7 allows a local authority to serve a charge certificate, with the effect of increasing the charge in question by 50 per cent, on a person who has failed to pay a penalty charge within the timeframe specified at regulation 7(2).

Regulation 8 sets out the manner in which representations may be made against a penalty charge notice served under regulation 6, and the grounds on which such representations can be made.

Regulation 9 specifies the procedure and consideration that a local authority must afford to any representations received under regulation 8. Regulation 9(1) requires a local authority to provide notice of its decision in response to representations, addressing each ground on which the representations are made and stating whether it is accepted or refused by the local authority. Regulation 9(2) allows a local authority to cancel a penalty charge notice upon acceptance of a representation made under regulation 8(4). Regulation 9(3) and (4) provide that where a local authority does not accept any representations made under regulation 8 it must serve a notice of rejection which contains information as to how an appeal against that rejection may be made. Under regulation 9(5) the local authority can serve a fresh penalty charge notice in relation to the alleged contravention that was the subject of the cancelled penalty charge notice.

An appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against the imposition of a penalty charge may be made under regulation 10.

A local authority may appoint an agent to undertake enforcement measures on its behalf under regulation 11.

Offences associated with the interference with the operation of a low emission zone scheme are created under regulation 12. A person guilty of an offence under regulation 12(1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

A Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (“BRIA”) has been prepared in relation to these Regulations and placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. A copy of the BRIA can be obtained from Transport Scotland, Buchanan House, 58 Port Dundas Rd, Glasgow G4 0HF or online atwww.legislation.gov.uk.