Check if your car is CAZ-compliant

In several cities across the UK, Clean Air Zones (CAZs) have been implemented to reduce air pollution. If you're planning to drive into these cities, you'll want to know beforehand if your vehicle is CAZ-compliant.
Home/Clean Air Zone (CAZ)

Clean Air Zones (CAZ) by city

See the Clean Air Zone boundary in the city you live in.

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Birmingham Clean Air Zone

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Bristol Clean Air Zone

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Bath Clean Air Zone

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Portsmouth Clean Air Zone

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Bradford Clean Air Zone

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Newcastle Clean Air Zone

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Sheffield Clean Air Zone

What is the Clean Air Zone (CAZ)?

How CAZ works

In the United Kingdom, a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is a designated area where targeted measures are put in place to improve air quality. A CAZ can be either non-charging or charging, meaning some CAZ zones do not charge vehicles for entering them. For charging CAZ zones, whether a fee is applied upon entry or while travelling within the CAZ depends on the vehicle's Euro standard, and whether or not it meets the CAZ emission standards. The daily charge applies 24 hours a day. Unlike London's ULEZ and Congestion Charge zones, the CAZ charge also applies on Christmas Day (25th December).

Clean Air Zone charges are set at the local level, meaning each city can decide on the fees and fines for non-compliant vehicles. The daily charges are based on assessment and analysis of the air conditions in the area. Approaching a Clean Air Zone (CAZ), you'll see clear road signs with a camera symbol, reminding you that vehicles are monitored upon entry to determine if a fee applies.

4 classes of Clean Air Zones

There are four classes of Clean Air Zones in the UK. Class A covers taxis, buses, coaches and other types of private hire vehicles. Buses and coaches must adhere to Euro 6 emissions standards. Taxis and private-hire vehicles, on the other hand, must meet Euro 4 for petrol engines and Euro 6 for diesel engines. Class B tacks on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), which have to adhere to Euro 6 emissions standards to comply.

Class C includes light goods vehicles (LGVs) like vans and minibuses, which are required to meet Euro 4 standards (petrol) or Euro 6 standards (diesel). Bradford's Clean Air Zone (CAZ), referred to as "Category C+," imposes charges on all vehicle types that do not comply, except for passenger cars and motorcycles. Class D is the most common Clean Air Zone category. It includes all the abovementioned vehicles, plus cars, motorbikes and mopeds. Cars need to meet Euro 4 standards for petrol and Euro 6 standards for diesel, while two-wheeled vehicles must meet Euro 3 standards.

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The benefits of using our online CAZ checker

Knowing if CAZ charges apply to you helps you avoid costly fines.
1

Check if your car is compliant in real-time

If you're unaware of your vehicle's Euro emissions standards, you can easily check if it is CAZ compliant by entering your registration number and receiving instant results. Our online tool uses the most up-to-date data to compare your vehicle's Euro standard to the CAZ emission standards for each city. That way, you'll know with confidence whether or not you'll be charged upon entry and what your options are if you are non-compliant.
2

Detailed vehicle compliance information

In addition to checking if your car is CAZ-compliant, our tool also provides detailed information on the specific Euro emissions standards for each vehicle class. This can be helpful if you're unsure of what Euro standard your vehicle falls under. If you find that your vehicle is not compliant, you can look for ways to achieve CAZ compliance or avoid charges based on your vehicle type. This may include upgrading to a newer model or using alternative modes of transportation.
3

Stay informed on changes and updates

With new Clean Air Zones being implemented and existing ones potentially changing their emission standards, it's important to stay updated. Our online tool keeps track of any changes and updates to CAZ zones, ensuring that you have the most current information when planning your travels. You can even sign up for notifications to receive customised alerts about changes to CAZ zones/standards/charges that may affect your vehicle's compliance status.
4

Plan ahead for a smooth trip

With the help of our online CAZ checker, you can plan your route beforehand and avoid any CAZ zones that may incur charges. If you want to avoid the charge altogether, you can park your vehicle outside the zone and take public transportation when travelling within. Or, you can opt for a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation, such as cycling or walking. This not only saves you money but also helps reduce air pollution in these cities.
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Convenient and user-friendly interface

Aside from being free to use, our online CAZ compliance checker tool runs your number plate against the entire database in seconds. The results are presented in an easy-to-understand format, making it simple and convenient for anyone to use. You can also access the tool on any device with internet connection, meaning you can check compliance anytime and anywhere. You won't need to worry about searching dozens of websites for information on CAZ in your city. We've got it all right here.
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Avoid unnecessary fines

Cameras around and within the CAZ zone will automatically photograph your number plate. Using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, they will compare your vehicle's registration number against the database of all registered cars in the UK. Then, they will send you a charge automatically. If you're unaware of your compliance status, you might miss this charge altogether. If you fail to pay by 11:59 p.m. on the sixth day, your charge will go up to £120+.

Which cars are exempt from CAZ charges?

Different rules apply to different types of vehicles when it comes to CAZ daily charges.

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CAZ-compliant petrol cars

  • Must meet Euro 4 emissions standards.
  • Generally, registered after 2006.
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CAZ-compliant diesel cars

  • Must meet Euro 6 emissions standards.
  • Generally, registered after September 2015.
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CAZ-compliant hybrid and electric vehicles

  • Petrol: Must meet Euro 4 emissions standards.
  • Diesel: Must meet Euro 6 emissions standards.
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CAZ-compliant vans and motorbikes

  • Motorbikes: Euro 3 compliant.
  • Petrol vans: Euro 4 compliant.
  • Diesel vans: Euro 6 compliant.

Check other low emissions zones

Live elsewhere? See what emissions zones and regulations affect your city.

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Popular questions around the Clean Air one (CAZ)

Learn about how our checker works and how to stay compliant with CAZ regulations.
Which cars will be charged in the Clean Air Zone?
Any car that does not meet the Euro emissions standards set for that vehicle type in that particular zone will be charged upon entry. This includes diesel cars that do not meet at least Euro 6 standards and petrol cars that do not meet at least Euro 4 standards.
Do you have to pay in a Clean Air Zone?

If you live within a Clean Air Zone, you will only be charged when you drive past a CAZ camera that records your information. So, you will not need to pay on days you don't drive your vehicle, even if it remains parked outside within the zone.

However, the camera's cycle resets at midnight each night. If you enter the CAZ zone before midnight on one day and exit 12:01 a.m. or later the next day, you will receive two charges (even if you entered only once or for a few hours). This is because the camera saw your vehicle enter at one time and drive within or exit at another.

What happens if you don't pay the Clean Air Zone charge?
You have up until 11:59 p.m. on the sixth day following your charge to pay the full amount. If you forget or decide not to, a late penalty of £120+ will be added on top of the original charge, which you will have 28 days to pay. If you pay the increased charge within 14 days, it will be reduced to £60. The longer you wait, the higher this penalty will become.
How do you avoid clean air charges?

The only way to avoid a clean air charge is to not drive a non-compliant vehicle within the zone. The best long-term investment for non-CAZ-compliant vehicle owners would be to upgrade to a more environmentally friendly vehicle (such as a newer model, EV, or hybrid) or use alternative modes of transportation.

If you only need to enter the CAZ zone occasionally, using public transportation or parking outside the zone and walking/cycling in will save you money in the short-term. If you need to enter the zone every day for work, you can reduce your overall liability by only entering a few days, switching off between driving and using public transportation.

How much is the Clean Air Zone charge?

The Clean Air Zone charge varies from city to city (with some being non-charging). It also varies wildly depending on vehicle type. That's why, in addition to our CAZ compliance checker and the information we've provided on this page, we've also listed the CAZ charges for each city on their respective Clean Air Zone pages.

For regular vehicles like passenger cars and motorbikes (CAZ Class D), charges typically range from £9 to £15. If you're driving a larger vehicle, such as an HGV (CAZ Class B) or LGV (CAZ Class C), charges can go up to £50 or more. It's always best to check the specific city's Clean Air Zone page for accurate and up-to-date information on fees and fines.

Which cities in the UK have a Clean Air Zone?
Eight cities currently have a Clean Air Zone in place or planned, with more cities expected to follow suit in the coming years. The current cities with CAZ zones are Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Greater Manchester, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside (Newcastle and Gateshead).
What happens if I live in a Clean Air Zone?
If you live in a Clean Air Zone, you will not be charged for simply living within the zone. However, if you own a non-compliant vehicle and drive it within the zone, you will be charged for each day you drive within the zone.
How long do I have to pay the Clean Air charge?
Your window for paying a Clean Air charge is from six days prior to entering the zone until 11:59 p.m. on the sixth day following your entry. After that, a late penalty of £120 will be added to your original charge, which you will have an additional 28 days to pay.
How do I know if I have entered a Clean Air Zone?
You will see clear signs indicating when you are entering a Clean Air Zone. The sign will have an image of a camera on it as well, which serves as a reminder that your vehicle's information will be recorded for potential charging.
What happens if you don't follow the Clean Air Act?
If you choose not to upgrade your car or use an alternative mode of transportation and continue to drive a non-compliant vehicle within the zone, you will be charged each time you drive within the eight cities with Clean Air Zones. The charges can add up to thousands of pounds per year depending on how often you drive within the zone.
What is the difference between a Clean Air Zone and a low emission zone?
A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is a specific type of Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) that focuses on reducing vehicle air pollution within designated high-pollution areas. While LEZs may have different regulations and standards for vehicle emissions, CAZs specifically target non-compliant vehicles and charge them for entering the zone.
Which cars will be charged in the Clean Air Zone?
Vehicles that do not meet their respective Euro standard will be charged every time they enter a charging CAZ zone. This includes Euro 6 for diesel cars, HGVs, and LGVs, Euro 4 for petrol passenger cars and Euro 3 for mopeds, motorcycles and motorised tricycles.
Why are Clean Air Zones necessary?

Cities around the UK have been struggling with high levels of air pollution for many years. This has led to negative health effects for residents, including respiratory problems and reduced life expectancy.

Clean Air Zones have been put in place as a way to reduce air pollution from vehicles and improve the overall quality of air within these cities. By charging non-compliant vehicles, it encourages drivers to choose more environmentally friendly options and ultimately, reduces the amount of harmful emissions in the air we breathe.

How can I Contact Clean Air Zone support?
If you think your vehicle is CAZ-compliant but still receives the daily charge, you can reach out to the DVLA's Clean Air Zone support. Contact them via their online form or by calling 0300 029 8888. Hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. through 2 p.m. on Saturday.

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