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The clean transport zone is starting in Warsaw. What does it mean?
The clean transport zone starts in Warsaw on July 1. The aim of SCT is to reduce emissions and improve air quality. The introduction of the zone means that some vehicles will not enter the capital. The SCT area covers 37 square kilometers. What vehicles will enter and what do you need to know about the clean transport zone in Warsaw? We give you a hint!
- The Clean Transport Zone comes into force in Warsaw on July 1, 2024.
- In the first stage, the requirements will not be strict and will allow entry even to 27-year-old petrol and 19-year-old diesel drivers.
- Stickers are not needed for those who meet the requirements.
- Vehicles exempt from SCT requirements should have appropriate stickers and drivers should have licenses.
- We will have to wait at least a year for the next clean transport zone in another city.
- Entering the zone with a vehicle that does not meet the requirements and does not have a license will be punished with a fine of PLN 500.
- Do you need to buy a new car to meet the requirements of the Clean Transport Zone? Check what to pay attention to when buying a car!
- What is a clean transport zone?
- What is SCT for?
- Clean Transport Zone Warsaw - area
- Clean Transport Zone in Warsaw - map
- Who will not enter Warsaw – stage 1 of SCT
- The next stages of SCT Warsaw
- Exclusions of the Clean Transport Zone in Warsaw
- Additional exceptions
- Are stickers needed in the Clean Transport Zone?
- Penalties for entering SCT
- Delayed Krakow
- Clean Transport Zones in other cities
Ecology is becoming increasingly important. Recently, E10 and HVO100, which are slightly better for the environment, have appeared at gas stations . Now it's time for a special Clean Transport Zone, which aims to improve air quality. For now, it's only in Warsaw, but it will likely soon expand to other cities.
What is a clean transport zone?
Let's start from the beginning, with what a clean transport zone is. A clean transport zone (CTS) is a zone in cities where high-emission vehicles will not be allowed to enter . This applies primarily to older vehicles. At the same time, priority will be given to eco-friendly vehicles, including electric and hybrid cars . At the beginning of July, the Clean Transport Zone in Warsaw will be launched.
What is SCT for?
What is the purpose of the Clean Transport Zone? The goal of the Clean Transport Zone is to reduce emissions of harmful PM10 and PM2,5 particles. Why is this so important? This is because they contribute significantly to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the Clean Transport Zone will contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions. In other words, the Warsaw eco-zone aims to make the people living there healthier.
Clean Transport Zone Warsaw - area
The Warsaw Clean Transport Zone, introduced on July 1st, covers most of the city center and parts of surrounding districts. The Warsaw Clean Transport Zone covers 37 square kilometers, representing just 7% of the city's surface area. So, it's not much. Importantly, the bordering streets will be located outside the zone. Special road signs will be posted along the zone's borders to provide information about the Clean Transport Zone.
Clean Transport Zone in Warsaw - map
(photo: Warsaw City Hall)
The SCT boundaries were designed to coincide with major roads and railway lines. The boundaries are defined by Prymasa Tysiąclecia Avenue, Jerozolimskie Avenue, Łazienkowska Route, Stany Narodowej Avenue, Wiatraczna Street, and then the railway tracks along the northern railway bypass to Prymasa Tysiąclecia Avenue.
A detailed SCT map is also available on the website of the Warsaw City Hall.
Who will not enter Warsaw – stage 1 of SCT
- petrol vehicles (including LPG) - the vehicle must meet the Euro 2 emission standard or be manufactured no earlier than 1997.
- diesel vehicles (including LPG) - the vehicle must meet the Euro 5 emission standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2005.
This means that petrol cars older than 27 years and diesel cars no older than 17 years will not be allowed. How can I check if my vehicle is eligible to enter the Clean Transport Zone? You can use a special search engine.
Of course, the requirements do not apply to historic vehicles. This means that a classic car can enter the Clean Transportation Zone.
The next stages of SCT Warsaw
(photo: Warsaw City Hall)
Of course, stage 1 is not everything. We can now check what the requirements will look like in the coming years.
- Stage 2 – from 2006:
- petrol vehicles (including LPG) – min. Euro 3 or year of production not earlier than 2000,
- diesels (including LPG) – min. Euro 5 or year of production not earlier than 2009.
- Stage 3 – from 2028:
- petrol vehicles (including LPG) – min. Euro 4 or year of production not earlier than 2005,
- diesels (including LPG) – min. Euro 6 or year of production not earlier than 2014.
- Stage 4 – from 2030:
- petrol vehicles (including LPG) – min. Euro 6dT or year of production not earlier than 2009.
- diesels (including LPG) – min. Euro 6 or year of production not earlier than 2017,
- petrol vehicles (including LPG) – min. Euro 6 or year of production not earlier than 2014,
- diesels (including LPG) – min. Euro 6d or year of production not earlier than 2020. Stage 5 – from 2032:
Want to change your car to meet your requirements? Learn how to prepare a car purchase and sale agreement.
Exclusions of the Clean Transport Zone in Warsaw
Of course, in addition to the bans, exemptions are also provided. First and foremost, people who live in the capital and pay taxes there need not worry about the first two stages. However, such individuals will have to replace their cars before 2028. Seniors also need not worry about the Clean Transport Zones , meaning those who will turn 70 by the end of 2023, provided they already owned a vehicle before the first day of 2024.
In total, by 2028, the requirements will apply to only 3% of vehicles in Warsaw.
Additional exceptions
The following will also enter the SCT in Warsaw :
- services (ambulance, police, etc.),
- vehicles of people with disabilities,
- other – for example a school bus,
- vintage and historical vehicles,
- special vehicles - for example, a funeral hearse or roadside assistance.
There are also special circumstances for this. These are random cases such as: getting to a hospital, a doctor, or a place where you take your final exams. In this case, the special pass will authorize use for 4 days a year.
Are stickers needed in the Clean Transport Zone?
From the outset, one of the most important topics in the context of the Clean Transport Zone has been stickers. Vehicles that meet SCT requirements do not require a sticker , and owners of such vehicles do not have to complete additional paperwork.
The situation is different for those exempt from the zone requirements. Such individuals must submit the appropriate application for the permit and sticker. How do they do this? There are two options. This can be done online or in person at the Municipal Roads Authority office. It's worth hurrying, because failure to submit the appropriate application could result in a fine.
Importantly, you won't receive a fine for not having a sticker , even though it's required by law. This means you don't have to affix it to your vehicle. This is because a special device will be used to check whether your vehicle is eligible to enter the zone.
Penalties for entering SCT
Entering the Clean Transport Zone without a permit is an offense that will result in a fine of PLN 500. Therefore, if you are exempt from the zone's requirements, it's worth ensuring you have the appropriate permits.
What are the inspections like in the Clean Transport Zone? Police and municipal police can stop you for inspections. There are also special devices that will catch vehicles that don't meet the requirements. A few hundred meters away, a checkpoint will be waiting for them.
Delayed Krakow
Along with Warsaw, the capital of the Małopolska region was also supposed to have a new zone. However, the Clean Transport Zone in Krakow is delayed . On June 19, councilors decided that the zone would begin operating in a year, on July 1, 2025. During that time, the zone will be further refined. Will it be similar to Warsaw's eco-zone? We'll find out soon.
Clean Transport Zones in other cities
Of course, Warsaw and Krakow aren't the only cities considering their own zones. In the future, we can expect similar Clean Transport Zones in Katowice, Poznań, Wrocław, Rzeszów, Lublin, and Gliwice, although not all of these cities are willing to organize their own zones. They may have no choice, however. We'll likely learn more in the coming months.
The first Clean Transport Zone is starting in Warsaw, which is intended to reduce the emission of harmful particles. The requirements for cars are not difficult to meet, but they will become more stringent with each stage. We will probably soon find out what happens with similar zones in other cities.
Sources: transport.um.warszawa.pl, money.pl, portalsamorzadowy.pl
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