Clean Air Zones Guidance

Overview of the operation of clean air zones being introduced up and down the country.

In 2015 the Government released plans to improve air quality across the UK through a variety of measures including the implementation of ‘Clean Air Zones’ (CAZ) in some of the country’s most polluted cities. The BVRLA has been actively involved from the start to ensure the voice of the rental and leasing industry is heard by decision makers at a national and local level.

Full details of how the zones will operate is available below and details of when and where the zones will be operational is available on our CAZ Map.

What is a Clean Air Zone?

In 2015 the Government released plans to improve air quality across the UK through a variety of measures, including the implementation of ‘Clean Air Zones’ (CAZ).

Cities with the most persistent air quality problems will apply restrictions to encourage only the cleanest vehicles to operate within the boundaries of their Clean Air Zone (CAZ). Any vehicle not meeting the specified emission standards will be required to pay a fee to operate within the boundaries of that CAZ.

Some cities are looking to go further and create Low Emission Zones or Zero Emission Zones where a total ban of non-compliant vehicles may instead be introduced.

Operation of CAZs

The Zones will run 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
They will be enforced by a network of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
Those vehicles liable to pay the charge would pay using the Government’s online portal.
Discounts and exemptions will be put in place for some vehicle types. Some exemptions are temporary, some are permanent, and some are for vehicles licensed with certain local authority areas only. Check on the local authority site to get further information on exemptions and financial support available.
There is a vehicle checker where you can check if you would need to pay the charge depending on which clean air zone you have travelled in. If you’re a business and want to check a number of vehicles you’ll need:
- an account - you can create one when you use this service
- your company name
- an email address
- a spreadsheet in CSV format of the number plates (registration numbers) of the vehicles you want to check

CAZ grades A, B, C and D explained

There are four grades of charging Clean Air Zones (CAZ) that local authorities can consider implementing, as set out in the Government’s national framework.

CAZ A

Has the fewest restrictions, and only charges buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles.

Minimum standards required for compliance are listed below:

Vehicle type	Compliance standards
Buses	Euro VI
Coaches	Euro VI
Taxis	Euro 6 (Diesel) Euro 4 (Petrol)
Private Hire Vehicles	Euro 6 (Diesel) Euro 4 (Petrol)

CAZ B

Charges HGVs in addition to the vehicles listed for Class A.

Minimum standards required for compliance are listed below:

Vehicle type	Compliance standards
Buses	Euro VI
Coaches	Euro VI
Taxis	Euro 6 (Diesel) Euro 4 (Petrol)
Private hire vehicles	Euro 6 (Diesel) Euro 4 (Petrol)
HGVs	Euro VI

CAZ C

Charges LGVs in addition to all those listed for Class B.

Minimum standards required for compliance are listed below:

Vehicle type	Compliance standards
Buses	Euro VI
Coaches	Euro VI
Taxis	Euro 6 (Diesel) Euro 4 (Petrol)
Private hire vehicles	Euro 6 (Diesel) Euro 4 (Petrol)
HGVs	Euro VI
LGVs	Euro 6 (Diesel) Euro 4 (Petrol)

CAZ D

Charges cars in addition to all those listed for Class C.

Minimum standards required for compliance are listed below:

Vehicle type	Compliance standards
Buses	Euro VI
Coaches	Euro VI
Taxis	Euro 6 (Diesel) Euro 4 (Petrol)
Private hire vehicles	Euro 6 (Diesel) Euro 4 (Petrol)
HGVs	Euro VI
LGVs	Euro 6 (Diesel) Euro 4 (Petrol)
Cars	Euro 6 (Diesel) Euro 4 (Petrol)
Motorcycles and mopeds (optional)	Euro 3

Do I need to pay to enter a CAZ?

You can use the Government's online portal to check whether your vehicle is going to be subject to charges to enter a Clean Air Zone.

Businesses who want to check and pay for multiple vehicles, create an account or sign in via the portal. If driving an uncompliant vehicle into a zone you will need to make payment via the centralised payment portal.

Travelling in or through London?

You can find out if your vehicle meets emissions and safety standards required to drive in London, or if you need to pay a daily charge, by entering your vehicle registration into the Transport for London portal.

Enforcement of CAZs

If a charge isn't paid for a vehicle which is non-compliant then a penalty charge notice can be issued to the registered keeper. The legislation for clean air zones (CAZs) is the same as the legislation for road user charging, so similar to the London congestion charging scheme.

This means that if the agreement with the customer is less than 6 months in duration you will be able to transfer the penalty charge notice to your customer. Any other agreement will not be transferrable and you will need to pay the penalty charge notice and recharge it to your customer if your contract allows.

Members will also wish to consider how they infom the customer of the EURO standard of the vehicle they are renting so they are aware of whether they need to pay a charge