What is a clean air zone?

Where are clean air zones?

Clean Air Zones are currently operating in:

• Bath - Class C (charges buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses)
• Birmingham - Class D (charges all vehicle types including cars)
• Bristol - Class D (charges all vehicle types including cars)
• Portsmouth - Class B (charges buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles)
• Sheffield - Class C (charges buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses)
• Tyneside (Newcastle and Gateshead) - Class C

More cities are planning to introduce clean air zones in the coming years.

Which vehicles are charged?

Clean air zones charge vehicles based on their emissions:

Class A:

• Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles

Class B:

• Class A vehicles plus heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)

Class C:

• Class B vehicles plus vans and minibuses

Class D:

• All vehicle types including cars and motorcycles

The charge applies to vehicles that don't meet the required emissions standards (usually Euro 4 for petrol, Euro 6 for diesel).

How much does it cost?

Charges vary by city and vehicle type:

Birmingham (Class D):

• Cars, vans, taxis: £8 per day
• Coaches, buses, HGVs: £50 per day

Bath (Class C):

• Vans, minibuses: £9 per day
• Taxis, private hire: £9 per day
• Coaches, buses, HGVs: £100 per day

Bristol (Class D):

• Cars, vans, taxis: £9 per day
• Coaches, buses, HGVs: £100 per day

Charges are per day, and you only pay once per day regardless of how many times you enter the zone.

When do I have to pay?

You need to pay:

• If you drive in the zone - During charging hours (usually 24/7)
• With a non-compliant vehicle - One that doesn't meet emissions standards
• By midnight - On the day of travel (or up to 6 days after)

The charge applies every day you drive in the zone, not just once. Some zones operate 24 hours a day, every day.

How do I know if my vehicle is charged?

You can check if your vehicle will be charged:

• Online checker - Each city has a vehicle checker on their website
• Enter your number plate - The checker will tell you if you need to pay
• Vehicle age - Generally, petrol vehicles from 2006+ and diesel from 2015+ are compliant
• Euro standard - Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel) usually exempt

If your vehicle meets the standards, you don't need to pay, even if you drive in the zone.

Are there exemptions?

Some vehicles are exempt from clean air zone charges:

National exemptions:

• Disabled tax class vehicles - Vehicles in the disabled tax class
• Historic vehicles - Vehicles over 40 years old
• Military vehicles - Ministry of Defence vehicles
• Ultra-low emission vehicles - Electric and very low emission vehicles

Local exemptions:

• Residents - Some cities offer discounts or exemptions for residents
• Blue Badge holders - May be exempt in some zones
• Certain businesses - May qualify for temporary exemptions

Check each city's website for specific exemptions and how to apply.

How do I pay?

You can pay clean air zone charges:

• Online - Through the city's clean air zone website
• By phone - Automated phone payment
• Via app - Some cities have mobile apps
• Auto Pay - Set up automatic payments for regular drivers

You'll need:

• Your vehicle registration number - To identify your vehicle
• Payment details - Card or bank account
• Date of travel - When you drove in the zone

You can pay on the day or up to 6 days after (depending on the city).

What happens if I don't pay?

If you don't pay the clean air zone charge:

• You'll get a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) - Usually £120 or more
• Reduced if paid quickly - Often reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days
• Increases if not paid - Can increase significantly if ignored
• Enforcement action - Can lead to court action

The zones use automatic number plate recognition cameras, so non-payment is detected automatically.

How is it different from congestion charge?

Clean Air Zone:

• Charges based on vehicle emissions
• Only charges non-compliant vehicles
• Aimed at improving air quality
• Operates 24/7 in most cases

Congestion Charge:

• Charges all vehicles (with some exemptions)
• Aimed at reducing traffic
• Operates during peak hours only
• Based on time and location, not emissions

Some cities have both, and you may need to pay both charges if applicable.

Summary

• Clean Air Zones charge vehicles that don't meet emissions standards to improve air quality
• Currently operating in Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield, and Tyneside
• Charges vary by city and vehicle type (typically £8-£100 per day)
• Only non-compliant vehicles are charged (usually pre-2006 petrol, pre-2015 diesel)
• Check online if your vehicle is compliant using your number plate
• Exemptions available for disabled vehicles, historic vehicles, and ultra-low emission vehicles
• Pay online, by phone, or via app by midnight on the day of travel
• Failure to pay results in penalty charges (usually £120, reduced to £60 if paid quickly)
• Different from congestion charge which charges all vehicles during peak hours
• Check each city's specific rules as they vary