🇬🇧 UK Regulations

UK Clean Air Zones 2026Complete CAZ & ULEZ Guide

Everything you need to know about Clean Air Zones across the UK. Charges, boundaries, exemptions, and how they affect you.

CAZ at a Glance

8+
Active or planned CAZs
£12.50
ULEZ daily charge
9M+
People in CAZ areas
30%
Average NO2 reduction

Understanding CAZ Classes

Class A

Buses, coaches, and taxis only. Mildest restrictions.

Class B

Class A + HGVs. Still no charges for private cars.

Class C

Class B + LGVs (vans). Private cars exempt.

Class D

All vehicles including private cars. Most restrictive.

All UK Clean Air Zones

London ULEZ

London

Class DApril 2019 (expanded 2021, 2023)

UK's largest clean air zone covering all of Greater London. 24/7, 365 days. TfL enforcement via ANPR cameras.

Charge:£12.50/day (cars), £100/day (HGVs)
Area:Greater London boundary
Standards:Euro 4 petrol, Euro 6 diesel

Birmingham CAZ

Birmingham

Class DJune 2021

Second largest UK CAZ. Covers city centre inside A4540 ring road. 24/7 operation.

Charge:£8/day (cars), £50/day (HGVs)
Area:Ring road A4540
Standards:Euro 4 petrol, Euro 6 diesel

Bristol CAZ

Bristol

Class DNovember 2022

Smaller central zone covering key pollution hotspots. Includes city centre and parts of inner suburbs.

Charge:£9/day (cars), £100/day (HGVs)
Area:Central Bristol
Standards:Euro 4 petrol, Euro 6 diesel

Bradford CAZ

Bradford

Class CSeptember 2022

Class C zone - no private car charges. Covers area within outer ring road including city centre.

Charge:£50/day (HGVs, buses, taxis)
Area:Outer Ring Road
Standards:Euro 6 diesel for HGVs/buses

Sheffield CAZ

Sheffield

Class CFebruary 2023

Class C zone for commercial vehicles only. Private cars exempt. Covers city centre and surrounding areas.

Charge:£50/day (HGVs, buses, taxis)
Area:Inner Ring Road
Standards:Euro 6 diesel for commercial vehicles

Newcastle CAZ

Newcastle/Gateshead

Class CJanuary 2023

Joint zone covering Newcastle and Gateshead city centres. Class C - commercial vehicles only.

Charge:£50/day (HGVs, buses, taxis)
Area:City centre and key routes
Standards:Euro 6 diesel for commercial vehicles

Portsmouth CAZ

Portsmouth

Class BNovember 2021

Smallest charging CAZ, Class B for HGVs and buses only. No charges for cars, vans, or taxis.

Charge:£50/day (HGVs, buses only)
Area:City centre streets
Standards:Euro VI diesel for HGVs/buses

Greater Manchester CAZ

Manchester

Proposed Class CDelayed/Revised

Originally planned for 2022, now under review after public backlash. May introduce non-charging measures.

Charge:Under review
Area:Greater Manchester region
Standards:TBC

Common Exemptions

Typically Exempt

  • ✓ Disabled tax class vehicles
  • ✓ Military vehicles
  • ✓ Historic vehicles (40+ years old)
  • ✓ Agricultural vehicles
  • ✓ NHS vehicles (some zones)
  • ✓ Showman's vehicles

Discount Schemes

  • • Low-income household support (varies by zone)
  • • Small business grants for upgrades
  • • Sunset periods for recent vehicle purchases
  • • Charity vehicle exemptions
  • • Community transport schemes

Do CAZs Work?

Evidence shows Clean Air Zones effectively reduce pollution:

  • ULEZ: 44% reduction in roadside NO2 in central London
  • Birmingham: 30% NO2 reduction in first year
  • Fleet changes: Accelerated switch to cleaner vehicles
  • Health benefits: Estimated 5,000+ fewer deaths over 30 years (ULEZ)

Protecting Yourself Indoors

Even with CAZs, indoor air quality matters. Road traffic pollution enters homes:

  • • PM2.5 levels indoors often mirror outdoor levels
  • • Homes near busy roads have 30% higher pollution
  • • Air purifiers with MERV13+ filters capture traffic emissions
  • • Consider air filtration if you live near major roads

Check Air Quality in Your Area

Even if you're not in a CAZ, local air quality varies significantly. Check real-time pollution data for your location.

UK Air Quality Hub →