Motorists driving older, more polluting vehicles into the heart of Birmingham will soon have to pay a daily fee, as the city's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) scheme is set to be enforced from the start of June. The initiative targets vehicles that fail to meet specific emission standards in a bid to improve the city's air quality.
What is the Birmingham Clean Air Zone and When Does it Start?
The Birmingham Clean Air Zone is a designated area where drivers of vehicles that do not meet minimum emission standards must pay a daily charge to travel. Enforcement of these charges is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2024. The zone primarily covers the city centre inside the A4540 Middleway ring road, though the Middleway itself is not included.
The scheme operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is not a congestion charge, meaning the fee is based solely on a vehicle's emissions, not the time of day it is driven within the zone.
Which Vehicles Are Affected and What Are the Charges?
The charges apply to non-compliant vehicles entering the zone. Compliance is generally based on Euro emission standards. For diesel cars, vans, and taxis, the minimum standard is typically Euro 6, which generally applies to vehicles registered from late 2015 onwards. For petrol vehicles, the standard is Euro 4, usually for cars registered from 2006.
The daily charges are as follows:
- £8 per day for non-compliant cars, taxis, and vans.
- £50 per day for non-compliant coaches, buses, and HGVs.
Residents living within the CAZ who own a non-compliant vehicle may be eligible for a temporary exemption permit, but this is typically time-limited, often lasting for one or two years from the start of enforcement.
How to Check Compliance and Pay the Charge
Drivers are urged to check whether their vehicle will be liable for the charge. The easiest way to do this is by using the official government vehicle checker online, where you simply enter your vehicle registration number.
If a charge is due, it must be paid by midnight on the sixth day after the journey. Payments can be made online or by phone. Failure to pay the correct charge will result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), which is significantly higher than the daily fee.
The primary goal of the Clean Air Zone is to reduce harmful levels of nitrogen dioxide in the city. Poor air quality is linked to serious public health issues, and Birmingham City Council states the measure is a necessary step to protect residents' health and meet legal air quality obligations.
With the enforcement date now confirmed, drivers who regularly travel into central Birmingham are advised to check their vehicle's status and consider their options to avoid unexpected daily costs from June onwards.
