Birmingham Clean Air Zone Checker

The primary goal of the Birmingham Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is to improve the city's air quality by reducing harmful levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution.

By applying a daily charge to the most polluting vehicles, the scheme encourages drivers to upgrade to cleaner models or use alternative transport, creating a healthier environment for everyone.

The Clean Air Zone covers all roads within the A4540 Middleway Ring Road, but it does not include the Middleway itself. If you are driving on the ring road, you will not be charged.

The zone operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The charge is applied daily for non-compliant vehicles.

For cars, taxis, and light goods vehicles (vans), the daily charge is £8.

For heavier vehicles like HGVs, coaches, and buses that do not meet the emissions standards, the daily charge is £50.

To be compliant and avoid the charge, petrol cars must meet the Euro 4 emissions standard.

This generally includes most petrol cars first registered from January 2006 onwards. Some earlier models may also meet the standard, so it is always best to check your specific vehicle.

Diesel cars must meet the stricter Euro 6 emissions standard to be compliant.

This typically applies to diesel cars first registered from September 2015. A limited number of earlier models might also be compliant.

No, motorcycles and mopeds are not subject to the Birmingham Clean Air Zone charge, regardless of their emissions standard. This is a key difference from London's ULEZ.

You must pay the charge using the official GOV.UK payment system. You can pay up to 6 days in advance, on the day of travel, or up to 6 days after.

It is very important to only use the official government website and avoid unofficial third-party sites which may charge extra fees.

If your non-compliant vehicle is driven within the zone, you must pay the £8 daily charge. Failure to pay on time will result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £120.

This penalty is reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. To avoid these costs, many drivers choose to sell their non-compliant car: Sell my car.

Yes, vehicles that have the "historic vehicle" tax class with the DVLA are exempt from the Birmingham CAZ charge.

Additionally, vehicles over 40 years old qualify for this tax class, which provides an automatic exemption.

When the zone was first introduced, there was a temporary two-year exemption for residents living within the CAZ. However, this initial grace period has now ended.

Currently, residence within the zone does not provide an exemption. The charge is based solely on the vehicle's emissions standard.