Use our free CAZ checker to find out instantly whether your vehicle is likely to be charged in any UK Clean Air Zone (CAZ). Enter your registration and our CAZ checker will tell you if your car, van, taxi, minibus or HGV meets the expected emissions standards for each city, helping you avoid unexpected daily charges and fines.
Our CAZ checker uses your vehicle details alongside the latest CAZ rules to give you a fast, reliable indication of whether a charge may apply before you travel.
This gives you a clear, simple view of your CAZ compliance before you commit to a journey, buy a used vehicle or plan fleet routes.
As of 2025, seven English cities operate Clean Air Zones. Each CAZ has its own rules, vehicle classes and daily charge amounts. Our CAZ checker includes all of the following locations:
| Zone | |
| Bath – Class C | Usually charges taxis, vans, buses, coaches and HGVs. Private cars are generally exempt. |
| Birmingham – Class D | Can charge cars, vans, taxis, minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs that do not meet emissions standards. |
| Bradford – Class C | Typically charges commercial vehicles including taxis, vans, minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs. Private cars are usually exempt. |
| Bristol – Class D | Can charge non-compliant cars, vans, taxis and HGVs. |
| Portsmouth – Class B | Usually charges taxis, private hire vehicles, buses, coaches and HGVs. Private cars and vans are generally exempt. |
| Sheffield – Class C | Usually charges taxis, LGVs, vans, minibuses, buses and coaches. Private cars and motorcycles are exempt. |
| Tyneside (Newcastle & Gateshead) – Class C | Typically charges taxis, vans, minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs, while private cars remain exempt. |
Our CAZ checker breaks this down automatically so you don’t need to remember each city’s individual rules.
A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is a designated area where older, more polluting vehicles may be charged to enter. The purpose of a CAZ is to reduce harmful emissions, improve air quality and encourage the use of cleaner vehicles. If your vehicle doesn’t meet the required emissions standard for a particular CAZ, you may have to pay a daily charge.
Some vehicles are exempt depending on local policy. Exemptions can include emergency service vehicles, certain buses, and vehicles already compliant with strict Euro emissions standards.
Our CAZ checker estimates your vehicle’s likely compliance using its age, engine type and standard emissions classification.
Daily CAZ charges vary between cities and vehicle categories. Commercial vehicles such as HGVs, buses and taxis often face higher fees than private cars.
You usually pay one charge per day, even if you enter and leave the zone multiple times. Penalties can be substantial if you do not pay on time.
CAZ schemes operate across several English cities, while London has its own system: the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Scotland operates Low Emission Zones (LEZs), which have their own enforcement rules.
Our CAZ checker focuses on Clean Air Zones in England. Total Car Check also provides a free ULEZ check within our vehicle reports. For Scottish LEZ checks, please refer to the official Scottish Government’s LEZ service.
For frequent travellers or fleet operators, switching to a compliant petrol, hybrid or electric vehicle can be more cost-effective than repeatedly paying CAZ charges.
Some councils offer financial support, exemptions or discounts for residents, small businesses or specific vehicle classes.
Use our CAZ checker alongside a full Total Car Check report to make informed decisions when buying, selling or running a vehicle in or near Clean Air Zones.
No. Most CAZ areas charge per day, not per entry. If you drive into the zone multiple times on the same day, you typically pay only once. Penalties apply if you fail to pay by the deadline.
No. Some CAZ cities do not charge private cars at all, while others charge non-compliant ones. Our CAZ checker automatically identifies which rules apply to your vehicle.
Some CAZ services cannot verify non-UK registrations. Check with the specific local authority before travelling.
Our CAZ checker gives you a likely charge amount. Always confirm with the relevant council or GOV.UK service for exact pricing and deadlines.
More cities have explored Clean Air Zones, but plans can change. We keep our CAZ checker aligned with the official list of active CAZ locations and update it as new zones launch.
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