Low-emission zone for diesel cars

The Hague has a low-emission zone for diesel-powered passenger cars and delivery vans. Old diesel vehicles which emit a lot of exhaust fumes may not enter the low-emission zone.

Whether or not you are allowed to drive in the low-emission zone depends on the emissions standard. The emissions standard is expressed as a figure. The higher the figure, the cleaner the vehicle.

  • Does your diesel car have an emissions standard of 4 or higher?
    Then you are allowed to drive in the low-emission zone.
  • Does your diesel car have an emissions standard of 3 or lower?
    Then you are not allowed to drive in the low-emission zone. Sometimes an exception applies. Then you are allowed to drive your diesel vehicle in the low-emission zone with an automatic waiver or an exemption.

Low-emission zone for diesel vehicles

The low-emission zone in The Hague is located within the Centrumring (S100) and the Professor B.M. Teldersweg (S200). There are warning signs just before you enter the low-emission zone. You will then be able to choose to take an alternative route. See the boards at www.milieuzones.nl.

Low-emission zone for diesel vehicles

Check the location of the low-emission zone for diesel cars on the map.

    Check whether you are allowed to drive in the low-emission zone

    Follow the 3 steps below.

    Step 1: Check your number plate

    Would you like to know whether your diesel vehicle is allowed to drive in the low-emission zone? Do the number plate check on www.milieuzones.nl/check.

    • Does your diesel car have an emissions standard of 4 or higher?
      Then you are allowed to drive in the low-emission zone.
    • Does your diesel car have an emissions standard of 3 or lower?
      Then you are not allowed to drive in the low-emission zone. There is an exception for some diesel cars with an emissions standard of 3 or lower. It is possible that you have an automatic waiver or that you can apply for an exemption. Then you will be allowed to drive your diesel vehicle in the low-emission zone. Check whether you have an automatic waiver in Step 2, or whether you can apply for an exemption in Step 3.

    Step 2: Check if you have an automatic waiver

    Some diesel vehicles have an automatic waiver and are allowed to drive in the low-emission zone. You do not need to do anything for this. The following diesel vehicles are automatically exempted:

    • Diesel ‘classic cars’ which are 40 years old and older.
    • Old diesel camper vans whose owners live in the low-emission zone.
    • Diesel vehicles which can transport wheelchairs (wheelchair accessible vehicles). You can recognise these vehicles in the number plate registry by the bodywork code 'SH'.

    Step 3: Check if you can apply for an exemption

    You do not have an automatic waiver? Check whether you can apply for an exemption. The exemption allows you to drive your diesel vehicle in the low-emission zone.

    When you apply for an exemption, you will always pay fees to the municipality. Even if you do not get an exemption. You can track the status of your application in MijnDenHaag under MijnZaken.

    There are 4 types of exemptions. Check if you can apply for an exemption.

    • Do you drive your delivery van in the low-emission zone once in a while? Then you can apply for a one-day exemption. You can get a one-day exemption a maximum of 6 times per year.

    • Cars which have been adapted to the value of € 500 or more to transport people with a disability can get an exemption from the low-emission zone. For more information and to apply for a permit see Ontheffing milieuzone voor aangepaste voertuigen aanvragen (in Dutch).

    • Are you replacing your old diesel car with an electric car or hydrogen vehicle? Then you can get an exemption from the low-emission zone until your new vehicle is delivered. The exemption is valid for up to 1 year. For more information and to apply for a permit see Ontheffing milieuzone aanvragen tijdens levertijd schoon voertuig (in Dutch).

    • Is your diesel car or delivery van not allowed in the low-emission zone? And are unable to get a one-day exemption or other exemption? See if you qualify for an Ontheffing bij uitzonderlijke situaties (hardheidsclausule) (in Dutch).

      Good to know

      • Are you not allowed to drive your diesel car in the low-emission zone, but you still need to be in the area? Then you can choose an alternate mode of transportation:

      • Businesses which want to make their vehicle fleet more sustainable can find more information on the website of Bereikbaar Haaglanden en Rijnland.
      • Do you have an old diesel vehicle? Have it demolished and receive a € 1,000 demolition bonus. You can spend this bonus on cleaner transportation, such as a bicycle or e-bike or electric moped, public transportation or using the car-sharing or e-moped-sharing scheme. Read more about the 'demolition bonus' ('omruilregeling', in Dutch).

      Frequently asked questions

      • The Hague will get a zero emission zone for city logistics on 1 January 2025. The zero emission zone for transporting goods in the city will not be introduced in one go. This will happen in phases. Read what this transition period means on the page about the zero emission zone (in Dutch).

      • The zero emission zone is part of the ‘Uitvoeringsagenda Stadslogistiek’ (city logistics implementation agenda) signed by the Dutch government and various municipalities. This agenda only covers the use of trucks and delivery vans for city logistics. For more information see the uitvoeringsagenda logistiek on the website of the Dutch government.

      • Yes, that is possible. As long as you apply on the same day (that is, before midnight). Please note that the one-day exemption applies to delivery vans. Diesel passenger cars cannot get a one-day exemption.

      • No, you can get a waiver only if your vehicle is registered as a wheelchair accessible vehicle. These types of vehicles are listed in the number plate registry with the bodywork code 'SH'. This code is also on the vehicle registration certificate. The registered owner does not need to do anything for this.

        One exception to this rule is for cars which have been adapted to the value of € 500 or more to transport people with a disability. The registered owner must then apply for an exemption at the municipality.

      • No information may be shared on vehicles with a CD, GN or BN number plate. There are 2 other ways to check whether a vehicle is allowed in the low-emission zone:

        1. Check the emissions standard on the vehicle registration certificate. Or do the number plate check in Step 1 on this page. Is the emissions standard 4 or higher? Then you may drive in the low-emission zone.
        2. Look at the table of emissions standards on the website www.milieuzones.nl. Find the standard for your vehicle. If the emissions standard is 4 or higher, you may drive in the low-emission zone.

      Enforcement

      The low-emission zone is based on the Road Traffic Act (Wegenverkeerswet). The municipality uses cameras and special enforcement officers to enforce the law. If you get a fine, it will be issued by the Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB).

      If you do not agree with a fine, you can file an objection at the CJIB. The letter you received about your fine will explain how to do this.

      You can request the photo proving that you were in violation of the law at the municipality. Send an email to ANPRfoto@denhaag.nl. The email should include:

      • the number plate of the vehicle for which you got the fine
      • the date of the offence
      • the email address the municipality can use to send the photo

      Also see

      Published: 18 November 2021Modified: 20 December 2022