Ombuds Brussels, the institution responsible for overseeing good governance in the Brussels Region, has launched several concrete proposals aimed at increasing consideration of vulnerable groups about the low-emission zone (LEZ).

For example, Ombuds advocates that it should be possible to buy a day pass through non-digital channels. Additionally, all violators should receive a warning before being issued their first fine.

14 recommendations

The Ombudsman Brussels report contains 14 recommendations that should put the perspective of the users of the LEZ, and more specifically of the users with a vulnerable socio-economic profile, back at the center.

For example, everyone can use a day pass up to 24 times a year. However, this purchase can only be made online or at one counter at the headquarters of Brussels Taxation, and this should be changed, according to the ombuds service. Ombudsman Brussels also recommends that day passes should be refundable or exchangeable.

The first payment reminder should be free of charge

Furthermore, in the event of non-payment of the fine, a charge of 70 euros will be automatically applied at the first reminder. The institution argues that this first payment reminder should be free of charge, as the fine amount of 350 euros is already sufficiently dissuasive.

Moreover, “the LEZ fine is the only product for which Fiscal Brussels does not send a free first remainder,” says Catherine De Bruecker, Brussels ombudswoman and head of Ombudsman Brussels. “This is not consistent with an inclusive approach.”

For the first violation, people should first receive a warning instead of a fine, the ombudswoman says. Such a warning also provides an opportunity to raise public awareness of the LEZ’ purpose: to improve air quality in the Brussels Region.

More than 27,000 fines in 2023

In 2020, from January to the end of June (a transition period without fines, specifically due to the Covid-19 pandemic), 11,051 warnings were issued for vehicles in violation.

From July 1 to the end of the year, 12,231 fines were issued against motorists who did not observe the conditions of the LEZ. In 2021, Brussels Fiscal issued 16,642 fines, compared to 18,889 in 2022 and 27,123 in 2023.

Of the fines sent between 2018 and 2023, 19% concerned vehicles registered in Brussels and 81% concerned vehicles not registered in the Brussels region. Of these, 43% were registered in Wallonia, compared to 38% in Flanders.

In 2023, approximately 21% of fines issued were contested, resulting in about 6,300 cases. Of all these contestations, 40% were accepted and 45% were rejected. The rest (15%) were forwarded to another service competent for the object of the request (e.g., a request for information or a payment plan).

In total, Ombuds Brussels received 122 complaints in 2023 regarding fines for driving in the LEZ with an unauthorized vehicle.