Clean Air Zones (CAZ)
What is CAZ?
Clean Air Zones (CAZ) are areas where you will be required to pay a daily charge for entering them with a vehicle that does not meet the specified emissions standards.
The primary goal of Clean Air Zones is to mitigate the unnecessary pollution caused by vehicles that fall short of acceptable emissions standards. This pollution in these areas poses a significant risk to the health of individuals residing and working within them, primarily due to health problems directly linked to vehicle emissions, such as nitrogen dioxide.
The charges within Clean Air Zones vary depending on the specific regulations of each city or town and are designed to apply to all vehicles, vehicles primarily used for business, and/or heavy vehicles.
Where has CAZ been introduced?
So far, there are ten cities and towns that have implemented Clean Air Zones or Low Emissions Zones to decrease pollution and enhance air quality for the residents and workers in those areas. The programs differ depending on the location and are founded on vehicle emissions, vehicle type, and vehicle usage.
| Location | Scheme | Daily Charge | Date Charges Intoduced |
| Bath | Class C | £9 for vehicles under 3.5 Tonnes £100 for vehicles over 3.5 Tonnes |
15 March 2021 |
| Birmingham | Class D | £8 per day for cars, taxis and LGVs (large goods vehicles) £50 per day for coaches and HGVs (heavy goods vehicles) |
1 June 2021 |
| Bristol | Class D | £9 for vehicles under 3.5 Tonnes £100 for vehicles over 3.5 Tonnes |
28 November 2022 |
| Bradford | Class C | £7 Hackney Carriage/Private hire vehicles £9 Minibus/LGV £50 Bus/Coach/LGV |
26 September 2022 |
| Glasgow | Scottish LEZ (Class D) | Penalty of £60 (doubles for each subsequent infringement) | 1 June 2023 |
| London (ULEZ) | Class D | £12.50 vehicles 3.5 Tonnes and under £100 vehicles over 3.5 Tonnes |
8 April 2019 (Original ULEZ Zone) 29 August 2023 (Expanded areas) |
|
Oxford (ZEZ) |
Class D | £2 Motorcycles £4 Low Emission Vehicle (LEVs) £10 All other vehicles |
28 February 2022 |
| Newcastle & Gateshead | Class C | £12.50 LGVs/Taxis/minbuses £50 Buses/Coaches/HGVs |
January 30th 2023 |
| Portsmouth | Class B | £10 Non-compliant taxis & Private Hire Vehicles £50 Non-Compliant Buses, Coaches and HGVs |
29 November 2021 |
| Sheffield | Class C | £10 Non-compliant taxis & Private Hire Vehicles £50 Non-Compliant Buses, Coaches and HGVs |
27 February 2023 |
Where will CAZ been introduced next?
Several areas are in the process of implementing CAZ or LEZ charges in the future to address pollution. These are listed below.
| Location | Scheme | Proposed Daily Charge | Proposed Date Charges Introduced |
| Aberdeen | Scottish LEZ (Class D) | Penalty of £60 (doubles for each subsequent infringement) | 1 June 2024 |
| Dundee | Scottish LEZ (Class D) | Penalty of £60 (doubles for each subsequent infringement) | 30 May 2024 |
| Edinburgh | Scottish LEZ (Class D) | Penalty of £60 (doubles for each subsequent infringement) | 1 June 2024 |
What are the different types of Clean Air Zones vehicle classes?
Below are the classes of CAZ and the vehicles that are included in the Clean Air Zone.
| Class | Vehicle Type |
| A | Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles |
| B | Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) |
| C | Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, HGVs, vans, minibuses |
| D | Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, HGVs, vans, minibuses, cars, the local authority has the option to include motorcycles |
What vehicles does CAZ apply to with emissions standards?
The classifications across each of the CAZ areas remain the same and be seen below.
| Vehicle Type | CAZ Minimum Emissions Standards |
| Motorcycles | Euro 3 |
| Cars, Vans, Minibuses, Taxis and Private hire vehicles | Euro 4 (Petrol engine) and Euro 6 (diesel engine) |
| Buses, Coaches, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) | Euro V1 |
| Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) | Automatically compliant |
How do I pay the daily charge for a CAZ?
You can check whether the charge applies to your vehicle and pay the daily charge on the government website.
| CAZ Locations | Where to Pay for Charges |
| Bath Birmingham Bradford Bristol Portsmouth Sheffield Tyneside - Newcastle and Gateshead |
https://www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones |
| Oxford ZEZ | https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/oxford-zero-emission-zone-zez/check-your-vehicle-and-pay |
| London ULEZ | https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/ulez-payments |
| Glasgow | https://lez.glasgow.gov.uk/ |
Why is the government introducing CAZ?
The government has emphasized the necessity of establishing legal limits for air pollution to reduce the risk of the public being exposed to harmful toxins that can lead to severe health conditions. To attain these objectives, the government has determined that an effective approach is to decrease the number of certain vehicles based on their emissions standards. Consequently, specific zones were created, and charges were imposed on non-compliant vehicles for entering these areas, with the aim of discouraging motorists who own highly polluting vehicles.
