Low-emission zone for diesel trucks and diesel buses

The Hague has a low-emission zone for diesel-powered trucks and buses. From 1 January 2022 only diesel trucks and diesel buses with an emissions standard of 6 and vehicles which do not produce harmful emissions will be allowed to drive in this low-emission zone. Non diesel-powered vehicles also have access to the low-emission zone.

You can use the number plate check on the website Milieuzones in Nederland to see if your truck or bus has access to the low-emission zone? If you do not have access or an automatic waiver, then you may be able to apply for an exemption.

Where is the low-emission zone?

The low-emission zone is located within the Centrumring (S100) and the Professor B.M. Teldersweg (S200).

The following roads do not fall within the low-emission zone:

• the Centrumring and the Telderstracé themselves.
• the route from HMC Westeinde Hopsital from the Lijnbaan to the car park and the parking garage of the hospital.

Traffic signs indicate where the low-emission zone starts and ends. The low-emission zone for trucks and buses has the same boundaries as the low-emission zone for diesel-powered passenger vehicles and delivery vans.

Automatic waiver for the low-emission zone

You do not have an automatic waiver? Sometimes you can apply for an exemption. You will then be allowed to drive your high emission vehicle in the low-emission zone.

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

• One-day exemption from low-emission zone for trucks and buses

  Do you drive your truck or bus 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 12 times per year.

• Longer exemption if you have ordered a cleaner replacement vehicle

  Have you ordered a cleaner vehicle with an emissions standard of 6, or a zero emission vehicle? Then you can apply for an exemption (in Dutch) for your current polluting vehicle for up to 12 months until your new vehicle is delivered.

• Longer exemption to ensure the continuity of a company

  Could your business go bankrupt because of the low-emission zone? And can you demonstrate that you need the polluting truck or bus for your business to survive? Then you may be able to get an exemption (in Dutch).

• Longer exemption from low-emission zone in exceptional circumstances (hardship clause)

  Is your diesel truck or bus not allowed in the low-emission zone? And are you unable to get a one-day exemption or long-term exemption? See if you qualify for an ontheffing in bijzondere gevallen (in Dutch).

You can apply for an exemption from the low-emission zone from the municipality. You will always pay an application fee for an exemption. This is the municipality's fee for processing your application. You will not get this fee back if you do not get an exemption. You can track the status of your application on MijnDenHaag under MijnZaken.

You will not be able to switch a one-day exemption to a different date. If you cancel the one-day exemption, you will not be reimbursed for the fee.

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. Fines are issued by the Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB).

If you do not agree with a fine, you can read in the letter you received how you can file an objection at the CJIB.

More information

• Verkeersbesluit, RIS number 308941 (in Dutch)
• Beleidsregel ontheffingen, RIS number 308940 (in Dutch)
• Expertisecentrum Milieuzones
• Rijksdienst voor het wegverkeer (Netherlands Vehicle Authority)