Bath Clean Air Zone (CAZ) checker

Since 15 March 2021, the city of Bath in the UK has introduced a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) to improve air quality and reduce pollution levels.

Use our tool to see if you're affected.

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Bath CAZ map and charges

The image below shows the limits of the Bath Clean Air Zone.

Area of operation

To the northwest, Bath's Clean Air Zone encompasses The High Common and Royal Victoria Park. To the east, it stretches to the Bathwick area and the campus of King Edward's School. It covers sections of the A36 road and its intersections at the southern boundary, as well as portions of Wells Road and Oldfield Road.

CAZ charges and exemptions

Bath's CAZ charges vans (including pick-ups and some campervans), taxis, light goods vehicles, buses, coaches, light goods vehicles (LGVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) that enter or drive within the zone. The charge for most vehicles is £9. For buses, coaches and most HGVs, it's £100.

How to pay

The easiest way to pay is online via the gov.uk Clean Air Zones page. If you also need to pay a penalty charge notice (PCN), you can do so by post, over the phone or using the Bath and North East Somerset Council website.

What is the Bath Clean Air Zone (CAZ)?

How Bath's CAZ works

In March 2021, Bath implemented its Clean Air Zone to reduce air pollution in the city's most congested areas. By charging higher-emission vehicles to drive in the zone, the local government hopes to incentivize people and businesses to switch to cleaner forms of transportation. When you cross Bath's CAZ boundary, a camera system will identify your vehicle's number plate using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. You pay a daily charge if it doesn't meet specific emissions standards.

Like all other CAZs, the Bath Clean Air Zone operates from midnight to midnight 365 days per year. The daily charge resets at midnight, so you'll pay twice for entering late and continuing to drive in the zone after midnight. Before entering, you can pay up to 6 days in advance. Once you enter or drive within it, you will have a 6-day grace period to settle the charge. Failing to pay by the sixth day at 11:59 p.m. will result in a PCN for the previous charge. If you pay the PCN within 14 days, the amount is halved.

Vehicles included in Bath’s CAZ

Bath has implemented a Class C CAZ, which imposes a daily charge on taxis, vans, LGVs, HGVs, buses, minibuses and coaches that do not meet the necessary emissions standards for entering the zone. Private hire vehicles will also have to pay. Passenger vehicles and motorcycles are exempt. Since Class C Clean Air Zones primarily target commercial vehicles, Bath residents won't need to pay for driving a personal vehicle, even if they live within the zone or drive an older, inefficient vehicle.

For commercial cars (taxis and private hire vehicles), the daily charge to drive within Bath's CAZ is £9. The same goes for vans, minibuses and LGVs. For buses, coaches and HGVs (like lorries and trucks), the daily charge is £100. The only exception to this rule is private heavy goods vehicles (PHGVs), such as horse transporters and motorhomes. Recently, the daily charge for these vehicles was reduced to £9. With charges as high as £100, the amount you owe can quickly add up. That's why it's essential to check your vehicle's compliance status.

Benefits of using our Bath CAZ compliance checker

Knowing if Bath’s CAZ charges apply to you helps you plan ahead and avoid costly fines.

Check Bath CAZ compliance in real time

Our Bath CAZ compliance checker is designed to make your life easy. It verifies your vehicle registration against a comprehensive database of compliant and non-compliant vehicles. Simply enter your registration, click the blue button, and within seconds your compliance status will appear. If your vehicle meets the emissions standards, you can freely navigate Bath's CAZ without any concerns. Plus, it's completely free, so you can check your compliance status at your convenience.

Monitor changes to CAZ restrictions and boundaries

Currently, there are eight Clean Air Zones established across various cities in the UK. Since these zones are regulated at the city level, each one has its own unique set of rules. It's worth noting that these regulations can change over time, as exemplified by the recent expansion of London's ULEZ. By making it a habit to regularly check your vehicle's compliance, you can stay well-informed and avoid any unexpected charges or sudden alterations to the law.

Plan your routes wisely

Some non-compliant drivers opt to avoid the CAZ zone if they can find a way to. That way, they save money and limit their environmental impact in the city's most polluted areas while still getting their commute done. Most navigation apps (including Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze) notify users when their route includes a Clean Air Zone (CAZ). As a HGV driver, entry may be unavoidable. But taxis and private hire vehicle drivers may want to do business elsewhere.

Prepare for charges and future investments

Eventually, you'll have to invest in a more efficient vehicle. Spending £100 per day is not sustainable. If your business relies on HGVs to deliver goods, this means you're looking at hundreds of pounds per day in the short term and hundreds of thousands in the mid-to-long term. It's better to know your vehicle’s compliance status ahead of time, so you can plan for future investments and budget for the immediate charges you'll face.

Easy-to-use interface

Our Bath CAZ compliance checker is designed to be easy and accessible. We present your compliance and vehicle information in a format that is easy to comprehend, and our website offers a plethora of additional resources to expand your knowledge on CAZ, Euro emissions standards, and how different cities are addressing air pollution concerns. Rest assured, you will always be promptly informed of any updates.

Avoid costly fines

You're on a time limit with CAZ charges. Once the ANPR cameras verify your vehicle's compliance status, you will have a six-day window to settle the £9-£100 charge. Failure to settle within the six-day grace period will result in the issuance of a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for the preceding day's charge. If you're unaware of these fines (or your liability to pay them), they'll keep adding up. Keeping tabs on your compliance status completely eliminates this risk.

Which cars are exempt from Bath's CAZ charges?

Bath's daily CAZ charges apply differently depending on your vehicle type.

CAZ-compliant petrol cars

Must meet Euro 4 emissions standards.
Most cars manufactured after 2006 are compliant.

CAZ-compliant diesel cars

Must meet Euro 6 emissions standards
Most cars manufactured after September 2015 are compliant.

CAZ-compliant LGVs and HGVs

LGVs: Diesel (Euro 6), Petrol (Euro 4)
HGVs: Diesel (Euro 6), Petrol (Euro 4)

CAZ-compliant buses, minibuses and coaches

Buses: Diesel (Euro 6), Petrol (Euro 4)
Minibuses: Diesel (Euro 6), Petrol (Euro 4)
Coaches: Diesel (Euro 6), Petrol (Euro 4)

View other Clean Air Zones (CAZ)

Live elsewhere? Check below for information on other Clean Air Zones in the UK.

Birmingham Clean Air Zone

Bristol Clean Air Zone

Portsmouth Clean Air Zone

Bradford Clean Air Zone

Sheffield Clean Air Zone

Newcastle Clean Air Zone

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Common FAQs about Bath's Clean Air Zone

Learn about how our checker works and how to stay compliant with CAZ regulations.

Which cars will be charged in the Clean Air Zone in Bath?

All non-compliant vehicles, including cars, vans, LGVs, HGVs, buses, minibuses and coaches will be charged to drive within Bath's Clean Air Zone. Only private heavy goods vehicles (PHGVs) are exempt from these charges. Passenger cars and motorbikes are also exempt from Bath's CAZ charge.

When is payment required for entering Bath's Clean Air Zone?

The Clean Air charge is applicable whenever you enter or drive within Bath's Clean Air Zone. This means you are only required to pay for the days you drive. No charges will be levied for days when your vehicle remains parked within the zone without movement. As a parked vehicle does not emit any emissions, it is unnecessary to charge you for those days.

What happens if you don't pay for the Clean Air Zone in Bath?

If you fail to pay or dispute a Clean Air charge within 6 days (by 11:59 p.m. on the sixth day), you'll be hit with a £120 penalty in addition to your original charge. You'll then have 28 days to settle the fine before it jumps up by 50% to £180. If you make payment within 14 days, the amount goes down to just £60. For your convenience, you can access your penalty charge notice (PCN) on the Bath and North East Somerset Council website.

How do you avoid Clean Air charges in Bath?

You only have a few options if your goal is to avoid the Clean Air charge altogether. The first option is to upgrade your vehicle to one that meets the emissions standards required by Bath's Clean Air Zone. Another alternative is to avoid entering the zone entirely, which may not be feasible for many drivers. As a Class C CAZ, these are the only two viable solutions.

How much is the Clean Air Zone charge in Bath?

The Clean Air Zone charge in Bath for non-compliant vehicles is £9 per day for cars, taxis and vans, and £100 per day for buses, coaches and HGVs. These charges are applicable for every day you drive within the zone. As a driver, it is your responsibility to stay updated on any changes in the rates or regulations. Failure to pay will result in fines that add up over time.

What happens if I live in a Clean Air Zone in Bath?

If you live in the Clean Air Zone, you don't have to worry. As a Class C CAZ, Bath's Clean Air Zone primarily impacts vehicles involved in commercial activity or large ones with high emissions. Passenger cars and motorbikes are exempt from the charges. So, as a resident, you don't need to take any additional steps or pay any fees for living within the Clean Air Zone boundaries.

How long do I have to pay the Clean Air charge in Bath?

You need to pay your Clean Air charge before midnight on the sixth day after you've entered Bath's Clean Air Zone. For example, if you enter the zone on Monday, you have until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday to settle your charges for that day. If payment is not made within this time frame, the city will issue you a PCN of £120, which will be tacked on to your original charge.

How do I know if I have entered the Clean Air Zone in Bath?

There won't be any tolls or booths indicating you have entered the Clean Air Zone in Bath. What you may notice is the cameras set up to capture every driver's entry into the zone and the nearby signs labelled "Clean Air Zone". Navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze will also show you the zone's boundaries.

What happens if you don't follow the Clean Air Act in Bath?

Nothing "happens" per se if you don't follow the Clean Air Act in Bath, but you will have to pay fines as a result. As mentioned earlier, failure to settle your charges within six days will result in a fine of £120, and that amount increases if not paid within 14 days or 28 days. The key is to stay informed about the regulations and make payments on time to avoid penalties.

Why are Clean Air Zones necessary in Bath?

Air pollution is a serious issue in many British cities and directly impacts public health. By implementing Clean Air Zones, governments aim to improve the air quality and reduce harmful emissions from vehicles. Bath's Clean Air Zone specifically targets large or commercial vehicles that contribute significantly to air pollution in the city.

How can I contact Bath Clean Air Zone support?

For any city in the UK, you can reach out to Clean Air Zone support at 0300 029 8888. Their dedicated team is available to assist you with exemption applications, payment enquiries, and any other issues and questions. They operate from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Alternatively, you can fill out their online contact form and expect a prompt response via email. Visit here to access the form.