The picturesque town of Sóller in Majorca is the latest holiday resort to implement low emissions zones in order to safeguard the area against non-resident traffic.

But, it’s not the first part of Europe to do so with different countries having different rules for this aspect of the law and rules can change depending on where you go.

Ahead of the rush to book summer holidays, Ed Sharp, Head of Car Hire at TravelSupermarket, explains everything you need to know about driving in low emission zones when abroad.

Check whether your vehicle meets emission standards in your desired area
Whether you’re hiring a car or driving your own into Europe, the first thing you need to check is if the vehicle you are planning to drive meets the emissions standards of your destination.

To begin, check if there are any low emissions zones in the area where you intend to travel, so you know exactly where and how your vehicle must comply with regulations.

If you are using your own vehicle you can use tools such as an online vehicle checker, like the one here to see if your car meets the requirements.

If you are hiring or renting a car, make sure to check with the dealer to see if the vehicle meets the clear air restrictions where you are going, as well as the vehicle's emissions standard. This can vary from company to company, so don’t assume that your car meets the air quality regulations required.

Costs and rules can vary depending on the area

If you have a vehicle that does not comply with low emission zones, you will need to pay a charge in order to use your vehicle within one of these areas.

Low emission zones operate 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, including weekends and bank holidays, meaning if you are in these areas with an unapproved vehicle, you will be charged on a daily basis.

However, it's crucial you check exactly how the rules work in your destination, as charges for the type of vehicle can vary depending on the area. For example, in Sóller, Majorca, non-residential vehicles are not allowed within the zones unless they are registered, meaning that you will have to park up and walk into the area if you plan on visiting this summer.

There are different types of clean air zones

Many drivers may be unaware that there are several types of clean air zones, each with slightly different rules governing which vehicles are permitted to enter the zone and which must pay a fee.

Most tend to affect bigger polluting vehicles such as vans and lorries, but some, such as those in France, Germany, and Italy, will impact some car drivers too.
It’s best not to assume that a sticker purchased in one EU country will allow you to drive in another. Check regulations in each city that you will be driving through too, even within the same country, because different types of clean air zones may be in effect.

There can be exemptions

Driving through clean air zones is subject to exemptions, some of which apply locally and others more broadly. So again, it’s important to understand the rules where you are going.

In some areas, you may be exempt from paying clean air zone charges if:

You are a disabled or disabled passenger tax class vehicle.
Your vehicle is retrofitted with technology that complies with clean vehicle standards.
The vehicle you are driving has ultra-low emissions, such as a fully electric car, which can automatically exempt you from any charges.

Ultimately if you are unsure whether the car you are hiring is exempt from a low emission zone, you can contact the provider that you are getting the car from, and ask if it is compliant with restriction zones you plan to drive in.

Information courtesy of: TravelSupermarket: https://www.travelsupermarket.com/en-gb/car-hire/