Clean Air Zones in the UK

To help improve air quality, several UK cities have implemented Clean Air Zones (CAZ) or Low Emission Zones (LEZ). If your vehicle doesn’t meet emissions standards, you may be required to pay a daily charge when driving in a Clean Air Zone.

Active Clean Air Zones

The following locations currently have Clean Air Zones in effect:

• Bath – Class C Clean Air Zone (charges apply to buses, coaches, taxis, vans, minibuses, HGVs, and cars)
• Birmingham – Class D Clean Air Zone (includes all vehicles except compliant ones; motorcycles may be included)
• Bradford – Class C Clean Air Zone
• Bristol – Class D Clean Air Zone
• Portsmouth – Class B Clean Air Zone
• Sheffield – Class C Clean Air Zone
• Tyneside (Newcastle and Gateshead) – Class C Clean Air Zone
• Oxford – Zero Emission Zone, with charges for non-electric vehicles
• London – Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across all boroughs; daily charges apply to non-compliant vehicles
• Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen – Low Emission Zones (LEZ) with charges for non-compliant vehicles

Future and Reviewed Zones

• Greater Manchester – No charging CAZ planned; a revised Clean Air Plan focused on investment in cleaner vehicles and infrastructure is in development.

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Types of Clean Air Zones

There are 4 types of Clean Air Zones, Class A to D.

For Businesses Managing Multiple Vehicles

Businesses operating two or more UK-registered vehicles can set up a Clean Air Zone account to manage payments more efficiently. Once registered, you can:

• Upload multiple number plates via spreadsheet or enter them individually
• View charges for each vehicle in each zone
• Add and remove vehicles from your fleet
• Invite up to 10 users to help manage the account
• Set up direct debit payments
• Access maps, zone information, and check for vehicle-specific exemptions

To register, you’ll need:

• Your company name
• A valid email address

Exemptions

Certain vehicles are exempt from Clean Air Zone charges either nationally or locally. You are automatically exempt if your vehicle meets one of the following criteria:

• Fully electric or ultra low-emission
• Registered as a disabled passenger vehicle
• Registered as a military vehicle
• Registered as a historic vehicle
• Retrofitted with CVRAS-approved technology (Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme)
• Classified as an agricultural vehicle