Clean Air Zones (CAZ) are areas in UK cities that limit vehicle access depending on your car's emissions standard.
CAZ areas are popping up in city centres across the country, and it can cost a pretty penny if you drive into one in a non-exempt vehicle.
They're similar in principle to London's Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ). Read on to find out which cities in the UK have Clean Air Zones, what the charges are, and which vehicles are exempt.
So, what is a Clean Air Zone?
Clean Air Zones – sometimes called Low Emissions Zones – have been set up in several UK city centres. They mostly cover the innermost, densest part of the city and usually fall within an easily identifiable boundary area. For example, Birmingham's Clean Air Zone includes all roads within the city's ring road. Clean Air Zones should be clearly marked with signs, so you can avoid entering them in a non-compliant car.
Most Clean Air Zones allow any type of car to enter, but older, more polluting vehicles will usually have to pay an extra charge to gain entry. This is intended to discourage the use of these 'dirtier' cars, and also to reduce localised emissions in tight urban areas, where they can get somewhat trapped by tall buildings. The four Low Emissions Zones in Scotland completely forbid entry to non-compliant cars with no option to pay a charge for entry.
Charges to enter Clean Air Zones can be paid online. Drivers who enter an active area in a non-compliant car and fail to pay the charge within the allowed time – usually up to one week after the entry date – will be automatically issued a fine, similar to a parking ticket.
What cars are allowed in Clean Air Zones?
It varies depending on the exact rules for the city you’re entering, but most CAZ areas restrict cars based on their emissions standards. These are based on ‘Euro’ emissions levels. Many CAZ areas still permit older cars to enter, but they'll have to pay a daily charge for the privilege. To avoid paying in most Clean Air Zones your car needs to meet:
- Euro 6 for diesel cars – all models built after September 2015, plus some earlier cars
- Euro 4 for petrol cars – all models built after January 2005, plus some earlier cars
- Fully electric vehicles – battery EVs can enter any UK CAZ area without charge or penalty
Where are the UK’s Clean Air Zones?
Clean Air Zones are currently active in the following cities:
| City | Date enforced | What private passenger cars are exempt? | Daily charge for non-exempt cars |
| Aberdeen | Now | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | £60, reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days |
| Bath | Now | All | No charge for passenger cars |
| Birmingham | Now | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | £8 |
| Bradford | Now | All | No charge for passenger cars |
| Bristol | Now | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | £9 |
| Dundee | Now | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | £60, reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days |
| Edinburgh | Now | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | £60, reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days |
| Glasgow | Now | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | £60, reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days |
| London | Now | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | £12.50 |
| Manchester | Under review – likely coming 2026 | TBC | No charge for entry |
| Oxford | Now | Full EVs only | £2-£10 depending on vehicle until August 2025, doubling to £4-£20 afterwards |
| Portsmouth | Now | All | No charge for passenger cars |
| Sheffield | Now | All | No charge for passenger cars |
| Newcastle and Gateshead | Now | All | No charge for passenger cars |
Every car sold by Motorpoint meets Euro 6 standards, so they're exempt from all CAZ areas that charge based on emissions. All diesel cars registered after September 2015 comply with Euro 6 regulations, while all petrol cars registered from 1 January 2005 comply with Euro 4 regs. This means you can drive an older petrol car in a CAZ than a diesel.
How much does it cost to enter a Clean Air Zone?
It varies depending on the type of vehicle you’re in, and the CAZ you’re using. Some CAZs don't charge private cars to enter – the ones that do are listed below. You'll also find the cost to enter the zone, exemption criteria and any extra info you need to know.
| City | Cost for a non-exempt private passenger car | What is exempt? | Notes |
| Aberdeen | £60, reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | All non-compliant vehicles are banned from Scottish Low Emissions Zones |
| Birmingham | £8 | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | |
| Bristol | £9 | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | |
| Dundee | £60, reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | All non-compliant vehicles are banned from Scottish Low Emissions Zones |
| Edinburgh | £60, reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | All non-compliant vehicles are banned from Scottish Low Emissions Zones |
| Glasgow | £60, reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | All non-compliant vehicles are banned from Scottish Low Emissions Zones |
| London | £12.50 | Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol | |
| Oxford | £2-£10 until August 2025, doubling to £4-£20 afterwards | EVs only | All engine-powered cars pay to enter, only full EVs are exempt – prices doubling in August 2025 |
Cleaner cars for UK roads
Find out more about Clean Air Zones and whether you need to pay for entering one. All nearly new and used cars sold by Motorpoint meet Euro 6 requirements, making them compliant with most CAZ areas.
