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.
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 signs at Begin external link: www.milieuzones.nl(External link), end external link..
Low-emission zones
Check the location of the low-emission zone for diesel cars on the map.
Low-emission zone for diesel vehicles
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 Begin external link: www.milieuzones.nl/check(External link), end external link..
- 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 certain 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
Certain 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 automatically have a waiver:
- diesel ‘vintage model’ cars which are 40 years or older (oldtimers)
- old diesel camper vans whose owners live in the low-emission zone
- diesel vehicles which can transport wheelchairs (wheelchair accessible vehicles) with 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. See 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 Begin link: one-day exemption, end link. . 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 Begin link: Ontheffing milieuzone voor aangepaste voertuigen aanvragen, end link. (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 Begin link: Ontheffing milieuzone aanvragen tijdens levertijd schoon voertuig, end link. (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 Begin link: ontheffing bij uitzonderlijke situaties (hardheidsclausule), end link. (in Dutch).
- 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:
Begin external link: electric cargo bike(External link), end external link. (tax provision by the Government of the Netherlands)
Begin external link: electric delivery van(External link), end external link. (subsidy by the Government of the Netherlands)
The Hague will get a zero-emission zone for urban logistics on 1 January 2025. The zero-emission zone for transporting goods in the city centre will not be introduced all in one go. This will happen in phases. Read what this transition period means on the Begin link: page about the zero-emission zone, end link. .
The zero-emission zone is part of the ‘Uitvoeringsagenda Stadslogistiek’ (urban logistics implementation agenda) signed by the Government of the Netherlands and various municipalities. This agenda only covers the use of trucks and delivery vans for urban logistics.
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 is allowed to 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::
- 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.
- Look at the table of emissions standards on the website Begin external link: www.milieuzones.nl(External link), end external link.. Find the standard for your vehicle. If the emissions standard is 4 or higher, you may drive in the low-emission zone.
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 Begin link: ANPRfoto@denhaag.nl, end link. . 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