UK Clean Air Zone Checker
Check a UK-registered vehicle against the rules used by England’s charging Clean Air Zones.
Check Your Vehicle
Enter the registration and select the correct vehicle type. Always confirm the final result through the official service.
Check whether your vehicle may need to pay
Enter a UK registration, choose the zone and select how the vehicle is registered or used.
About This Clean Air Zone
The government service currently covers Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside.
Who may be charged?
Vehicle types and charges vary by city. Some zones include private cars; others focus on taxis, vans and heavier vehicles.
Before you travel
- Check the registration and vehicle category.
- Check the official boundary map.
- Review exemptions before paying.
- Pay only through the official service.
Official information
Rules, charges and exemptions may change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UK Clean Air Zone Checker?
The UK Clean Air Zone Checker is an online tool you can use to check if you need to pay a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charge before you drive in participating cities in England. Enter your car registration number to see if you will be charged a daily fee.
Which cities have Clean Air Zones?
Currently, the UK Government Clean Air Zone service covers:
Bath Birmingham Bradford Bristol Portsmouth Sheffield Tyneside (Newcastle and Gateshead)
London’s ULEZ and Scotland’s Low Emission Zones run different systems.
How do I check if my vehicle must pay a Clean Air Zone charge?
Check your vehicle registration number using the UK Clean Air Zone Checker. The service compares your vehicle to emissions standards and tells you if a charge applies in participating Clean Air Zones.
Which vehicles may be charged in a Clean Air Zone?
Charges may apply to the following, depending on the city and CAZ class:
Cars
Taxis and private hire vehicles
Vans (LGVs)
Minibuses
Buses
Coaches
Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs)
Before travelling, always check your vehicle as not every city will charge private cars.
What are the different Clean Air Zone classes?
England has four Clean Air Zone classes:
Class A – Buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles
Class B – Class A vehicles plus HGVs
Class C – Class B vehicles plus vans and minibuses
Class D – Class C vehicles plus cars, with motorcycles included only if a local authority chooses to do so
Each city decides which class applies to its zone.
Do all Clean Air Zones charge private cars?
Nope . Some Clean Air Zones do not charge non-compliant private cars. Birmingham and Bristol can charge some non-compliant cars, while Bath, Bradford, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside do not charge ordinary private passenger cars. Always check your car before you go.
How do I pay a Clean Air Zone charge?
If your vehicle is chargeable, you can pay via the official UK Government Clean Air Zone service. Payments are generally accepted in advance of travel, on the date of travel or within the payment period allowed after the date of travel.
Can I check a vehicle registered outside the UK?
If your vehicle is chargeable, you can pay via the official UK Government Clean Air Zone service.
What information do I need to check my vehicle?
All you need is the registration number of your vehicle (number plate). The data is used by the checker to determine if your vehicle meets the required emissions standards.
Are London ULEZ and UK Clean Air Zones the same?
No. Transport for London operates London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) separately, and has a different vehicle checker. The UK Government Clean Air Zone Checker only covers participating Clean Air Zones in England outside of London.
Why were Clean Air Zones introduced?
Clean Air Zones were created to reduce dangerous air pollution, especially nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and to promote cleaner vehicles and help cities comply with legal air quality standards. It aims to improve public health and cut emissions from road transport.