What is a low emission zone? Access to central Almaty to be restricted from 2027

Almaty is preparing to introduce restrictions on vehicle access to the city centre. The new requirements will apply to vehicles with higher emissions, El.kz reports.

Motorists can currently travel freely within the pilot area, but preparations for the new rules are already underway. Drivers will be required to demonstrate that their vehicles’ emissions comply with environmental standards.

What is an LEZ and why is it being introduced in Almaty?

LEZ stands for Low Emission Zone. Such zones are established in cities where road transport has a significant impact on air quality. Environmental requirements are imposed on vehicles entering these areas, and access may be restricted for vehicles that do not meet the applicable standards.

Almaty has long faced air pollution, particularly during the colder months. Sources of emissions include road transport, heating systems and industrial facilities. The new zone is intended to reduce the impact of vehicle exhaust emissions on residents in the city’s busiest districts.

The pilot project was launched on June, 1 2026. The municipal enterprise Almaty Parking has been designated as its operator. During the initial phase, drivers will receive notifications when entering the zone, while vehicle access restrictions are scheduled to be introduced at a later stage.

Which streets in Almaty are included in the environmental zone?

For the pilot project, an area in the city centre commonly known by Almaty residents as the “Golden Square” was selected. The pilot zone lies between Bogenbai Batyr street and Abai Avenue, with its lateral boundaries defined by Zheltoksan street and Dostyk Avenue.

The boundaries were established by a resolution of the Almaty City Akimat dated April,28, 2026. Special road signs and information signs are being installed throughout the area to alert drivers that they are entering the environmental zone. The precise road sections should be checked against the official map published by the operator.

At present, no fee is charged for crossing the boundaries of the LEZ. The city has also not introduced a separate fine solely for entering the pilot zone. However, general requirements governing vehicle roadworthiness and permissible emission levels remain in force.

What will change for drivers from January 2027?

From 8 January 2027, access to the LEZ is planned to be permitted for vehicles that have successfully passed a specialised environmental inspection. If a vehicle exceeds the permissible emission limits or its owner has not demonstrated compliance with the applicable requirements, its operation within the zone will be restricted.

Vehicles are expected to be checked through an electronic system linking inspection results with vehicle registration data. The regulatory framework provides for the transmission of measurement results to the operator and the use of technical monitoring equipment. However, the procedure for automatically imposing fines for each entry into the zone requires separate legal confirmation.

Passing a standard roadworthiness inspection does not, in itself, guarantee access to the environmental zone. A standard inspection assesses a vehicle’s overall technical condition and operational safety, whereas the specialised environmental inspection focuses on the actual composition of its exhaust gases.

Will older vehicles be banned from entering the city centre?

A vehicle’s age alone does not necessarily mean that it will be prohibited from entering central Almaty. The applicable environmental standards take into account the country of manufacture, year of production and engine type. The final outcome also depends on the vehicle’s technical condition and measured emission levels.

For example, according to the classification published by the operator, European petrol-powered vehicles manufactured between 2000 and 2004 fall into the Euro 3 category. Separate year-of-manufacture ranges apply to vehicles from Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia and other countries. The applicable standards vary according to the vehicle’s environmental class.

This means that a well-maintained older vehicle may pass the inspection if its emissions comply with the requirements for its category. Conversely, a relatively new vehicle with a malfunctioning exhaust after-treatment system may fail.

Particular attention will be required from owners of vehicles with removed catalytic converters, faulty oxygen sensors or leaks in the exhaust system. Such issues may need to be repaired before the vehicle undergoes the inspection.

Why could the check engine warning light prevent a vehicle from passing the inspection?

The requirements published by Almaty Parking expressly state that a vehicle with a continuously illuminated or flashing Check Engine warning light may be refused access to the environmental inspection. The same applies to faults in the exhaust system and other warning indicators signalling equipment malfunctions.

For petrol and gas-powered engines, inspectors measure carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations. For diesel vehicles, exhaust opacity is measured. Testing is carried out using equipment that complies with the applicable technical standard.

Additional requirements apply to diesel vehicles, depending on their environmental class. In particular, inspectors check whether the exhaust after-treatment equipment specified by the manufacturer is present and operational, including particulate filters and systems designed to neutralise harmful substances. For certain modern engines, the proper functioning of equipment that uses the AdBlue reagent is also relevant.

Owners of hybrid vehicles must also take into account the environmental requirements applicable to their internal combustion engines. Fully electric vehicles produce no exhaust emissions, so standard vehicle exhaust emission measurements do not apply to them.

Where can drivers undergo an environmental inspection, and how much does it cost?

Environmental inspections in Almaty began to be introduced on September,1,  2026. According to clarifications issued by the Akimat, the new procedure is linked to the next scheduled roadworthiness inspection. If a vehicle has already undergone that inspection and its certificate remains valid, there is no requirement to repeat the standard inspection ahead of schedule.

Emission testing is conducted at specifically authorised inspection stations equipped with the necessary equipment. The official list is published on the Almaty Parking website. It includes facilities on Abai Avenue, Raiymbek Avenue, Ryskulov Avenue and other streets across the city.

The cost of emission testing depends on the inspection station and the service selected. For example, Tekhosmotr Asia, located on Makataev Street, offers a standalone environmental inspection for KZT 5,000. This is the commercial rate charged by a specific inspection centre and may differ from the prices offered by other providers.

If a driver undergoes a standard roadworthiness inspection at the same time, the emission test at this station costs KZT 3,500. The standard roadworthiness inspection is charged separately, so the total cost will be higher. These amounts do not include any repairs that may be required to the engine or exhaust after-treatment system.

The results of an environmental inspection remain valid for 12 calendar months. Following the inspection, an electronic report is generated and the relevant information is transmitted to the information system. If the measured emissions exceed the applicable limits, the owner must rectify the faults and undergo a repeat inspection.

What fines could motorists face?

The issue of liability for violations of LEZ rules requires particular attention. At the pilot stage, no separate penalty has been established for entering the environmental zone. However, Kazakhstan already has administrative provisions relating to breaches of environmental requirements and the operation of vehicles whose emissions exceed the permissible limits.

In particular, Article 324 of the Code of Administrative Offences provides for a warning or a fine of 10 monthly calculation indices (MCIs) for individuals who violate environmental requirements. Article 334 addresses the operation of vehicles whose emissions exceed the prescribed limits. More severe penalties apply to repeated violations.

Nevertheless, the rules published to date do not establish unequivocally that every entry by a vehicle without a valid positive environmental inspection result will automatically result in a penalty. The application of an administrative provision depends on the specific elements of the offence and the prescribed procedure for recording the violation. The final monitoring and enforcement arrangements should be confirmed with the operator and the competent government authorities.

How do other cities restrict vehicle access?

In developing the project, Almaty is drawing on international experience. In the summer of 2026, representatives of environmental organisations, Almaty Parking and the city’s working group visited Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. A system restricting the movement of higher-emission vehicles is already in operation there.

An analytical report by Almaty Air Initiative examines the technical and organisational features of the Bulgarian model. Particular attention is given to exemptions for residents of restricted areas. According to the report’s authors, certain exemptions created opportunities for the manipulation of vehicle registration.

This issue is particularly relevant to Almaty, as the pilot zone contains residential buildings, offices, retail premises and public institutions. As of the publication of the operator’s rules, no specific exemption from environmental inspection based solely on residence within the zone or vehicle registration at an address within it has been specified.

Will older vehicles be bought back?

A vehicle buyback programme for Almaty residents has been discussed as one of the possible measures. Such an initiative could help reduce the number of high-emission vehicles, particularly those whose owners face substantial costs for repairs or vehicle replacement.

However, no published confirmation of the launch of such a programme, approved compensation arrangements or application deadlines is currently available. It is therefore premature for motorists to expect a guaranteed payment for an older vehicle.

The main change drivers should already be preparing for is the requirement to demonstrate that their vehicles meet the applicable environmental standards.