Clean Air Zones (CAZ) in the UK: All You Need to Know in 2025

What Is a Clean Air Zone (CAZ)?

A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is an area in a city or town where more polluting vehicles are charged a daily fee to drive. The goal is to improve air quality — especially by reducing harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels.

Introduced under the UK Government’s Air Quality Plan, CAZs are now active in several major cities and will continue to expand in 2025.

If your vehicle doesn’t meet modern emissions standards — especially diesel vehicles — you may need to pay a daily charge or face a fine if you don’t.

The 4 Types of Clean Air Zones

Not every Clean Air Zone charges the same types of vehicles. The Government uses a category system:

• Class A: Charges buses, coaches, taxis, and private hire vehicles

• Class B: Adds HGVs (heavy goods vehicles)

• Class C: Adds vans, minibuses, and other light goods vehicles

• Class D: Adds cars and motorcycles (the strictest — like Birmingham and Bristol)

Each city chooses its class based on pollution levels and local needs.

Which UK Cities Have a Clean Air Zone? (2025 Update)

As of 2025, CAZs are active in:

• Bath (Class C) – Vans, taxis, buses, coaches, HGVs charged

• Birmingham (Class D) – Charges cars, taxis, vans, HGVs

• Bradford (Class C) – Private cars exempt, most others charged

• Bristol (Class D) – Cars, vans, taxis, HGVs charged

• Portsmouth (Class B) – Taxis, PHVs, HGVs only

• Sheffield (Class C) – Cars exempt, taxis, vans, buses charged

• Newcastle & Gateshead (Class C) – Cars exempt, charges apply to most commercial vehicles

Note: London has a separate system — ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) — with different rules and charges.

Which Vehicles Are Charged in a CAZ?

You’ll usually be charged if your vehicle doesn’t meet the minimum Euro emissions standards:

• Petrol: Must meet Euro 4 (most registered after 2006)

• Diesel: Must meet Euro 6 (most registered after September 2015)

Commonly Charged Vehicles:

• Diesel taxis and PHVs (pre-Euro 6)

• Older vans and minibuses (pre-Euro 6)

• HGVs, buses, and coaches

• Motorhomes/camper vans (if classed as commercial)

Private petrol/diesel cars are exempt in Class A–C zones, but charged in Class D cities (Birmingham, Bristol).

Daily Charges by Vehicle Type (Typical)

Who’s Exempt from CAZ Charges?

✅ Automatic National Exemptions:

You don’t need to apply for these:

• Vehicles in the disabled tax class

• Military vehicles

• Historic vehicles (over 40 years old and not heavily modified)

📝 Local Exemptions & Discounts (Apply Through The Council):

Each city has its own schemes, including:

• Residents with non-compliant vans used privately

• Small businesses and sole traders

• Blue Badge holders (must apply — the badge alone isn’t enough)

• Motorhomes used for personal not commercial use

To apply, visit the local council website before you enter the zone.

How to Check If Your Vehicle Will Be Charged

• Use the official GOV.UK Clean Air Zone vehicle checker.

• Enter your registration and see instantly if charges apply in any CAZ city.

• You can also use Resolvo’s free emissions checker to quickly assess your vehicle emissions

How to Pay a CAZ Charge

You must pay:

• Up to 6 days before travel

• On the day of travel

• Or up to 6 days after

Pay through the GOV.UK Clean Air Zones portal.

If you don’t pay within that window, you may receive a PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) of £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days — plus the original charge.

Got a CAZ Fine? What to Do

Received a penalty but think it’s unfair? You have options:

• Check your vehicle was really chargeable

• Look for system or signage issues

• Gather proof of payment or exemption

• Appeal directly to the council listed on the PCN

⚡ Fight Back with Resolvo

Whether you were unfairly fined in a Clean Air Zone or got hit with a general parking ticket, Resolvo can help:

• Describe what happened in plain English

• Upload your PCN (optional)

• Get a fully drafted appeal letter in under 2 minutes

Appeal your CAZ or parking fine with Resolvo today —it takes 2 minutes

🧠 Final Thoughts

Clean Air Zones are here to stay. But that doesn’t mean you should get caught out.

✅ Check if your vehicle is exempt ✅ Know the local rules ✅ Apply for exemptions early ✅ Pay on time — or appeal if it’s unfair

And if you do get a fine — don’t panic. Resolvo’s got your back.