What is a clean air zone?
By: Value Your Car
A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) are areas in the United Kingdom where drivers are required to pay a charge if their vehicle does not meet national minimum emissions standards. Charges would only apply to the most polluting vehicles, newer and lower emissions vehicles would not be affected. You are required to pay these charges per day not per visit.
The zones operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, and the charge period runs from midnight to midnight, you are required to pay these charges per day not per visit. The main aim of a CAZ is to reduce pollution levels by encouraging drivers and businesses to operate cleaner vehicles with lower emissions.
What are clean air zones?
There are four different categories of CAZs, which are set by the government, and the type of vehicle that would be affected depends on the category of the CAZ. Below are the for different categories.
Class A Clean Air Zone |
Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles |
Class B Clean Air Zone: |
Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) |
Class C Clean Air Zone |
Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, HGVs, vans, minibuses |
Class D Clean Air Zone: |
Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, HGVs, vans, minibuses, cars, the local authority has the option to include motorcycles |
Where are the clean air zones active in the UK?
There are 14 active or under review CAZ and Low Emission Zones (LEZ) around the UK, with more under consultation. The locations of Clean Air Zones in the UK tend to be large and well-connected cities.
| Location | Scheme | Daliy Charge | Active |
| Aberdeen | Scottish LEZ (similar to CAZ Class D) | Penalty of £60 | 7/24 |
| Bath | Class C CAZ (vans) | £9 for small vehicle, £100 for larger | 24/7 |
| Brimingham | Class D (cars +) | £8 for small vehicle, £50 for larger | 24/7 |
| Bristol | Class D (cars +) | £9 for small vehicle, £100 for larger | 24/7 |
| Bradford | Class C (cars +) | £7 for taxis £9 small vehicle, £50 for larger | 24/7 |
| Dundee | Scottish LEZ (similar to CAZ Class D) | Penalty of £60 | 24/7 |
| Edinburgh | Scottish LEZ (similar to CAZ Class D) | Penalty of £60 | 24/7 |
| Glasglow | Scottish LEZ (similar to CAZ Class D) | Penalty of £60 | 24/7 |
| London (ULEZ) | Class D (motorcycles/mopeds+) | £12.50 for small vehicles. Large vehicle pay LEZ charge instead. | Every day except Christmas |
| Oxford (ZEZ) | Class D (motorcycles/mopeds+) |
£2 for ultra low emission vehicles: £4 for low emission vehicles and £10 for non compliant vechicles |
7am – 7pm daliy |
| Newcastle & Gateshead | Class C (vans+) | £12.50 for small vehicles £50 for large | 24/7 |
| Portsmouth | Class B | £10 for taxis £50 for large vehicles | 24/7 |
| Sheffield | Class C (vans+) | £10 for vehicles £50 for large vehicles | |
Will clean air zone reduce traffic in these areas?
Clean air zones (CAZ) are not specifically intended to reduce theamount of traffic with in the area, but rather to reduce pollution levels by encouragingdrivers and businesses with fleets to operate cleaner vehicles with lower emissions.
When the plans for a clean air zone CAZ was developed modelling data is used to predict the impact different measures will have on things like traffic flow. The clean air zone areas that have been agreed found to result in fewer traffic problems and congestions.
How do I know if my car is affected by the clean air zones?
You can check whether your vehicle will be charged to enter the zone using the government’s online vehicle checker.
To use the vehicle checker just go to www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones and enter your registration number.
Not all vehicles will be charged to enter the zone and it’s important to check the specific requirements of the clean air zone in your area,as the rules may vary depending on your location.
Will clean air zone reduce traffic in these areas?
Clean air zones (CAZ) are not specifically intended to reduce theamount of traffic with in the area, but rather to reduce pollution levels by encouragingdrivers and businesses with fleets to operate cleaner vehicles with lower emissions.
When the plans for a clean air zone CAZ was developed modelling data is used to predict the impact different measures will have on things like traffic flow. The clean air zone areas that have been agreed found to result in fewer traffic problems and congestions.
How do I know if my car is affected by the clean air zones?
You can check whether your vehicle will be charged to enter the zone using the government’s online vehicle checker.
To use the vehicle checker just go to www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones and enter your registration number.
Not all vehicles will be charged to enter the zone and it’s important to check the specific requirements of the clean air zone in your area,as the rules may vary depending on your location.