Birmingham Clean Air Zone: Charges, Map & Exemptions

Birmingham's Clean Air Zone is still operating in 2026. The scheme continues to run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including weekends and bank holidays. Drivers of non-compliant vehicles must pay the daily charge whenever they enter the zone.

Birmingham City Council continues to monitor air quality across the city, with the CAZ remaining an important part of its strategy to reduce pollution levels.

Birmingham does not currently have a congestion charge.

The Clean Air Zone and a congestion charge are different types of road charging scheme. A congestion charge is usually based on reducing traffic levels, while Birmingham's CAZ is based on vehicle emissions. Drivers only need to pay Birmingham's CAZ charge if their vehicle does not meet the required emissions standards.

Birmingham does not have a ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone). Instead, the city operates a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) to help reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality.

Although Birmingham's CAZ works in a similar way to London's ULEZ by charging vehicles that don't meet minimum emissions standards, the schemes have different rules, boundaries and charge structures. London's ULEZ applies to almost all vehicle types, while Birmingham's Class D CAZ covers a wide range of vehicles but has its own exemptions and charging rules. The minimum standards are generally petrol Euro 4 or newer, diesel Euro 6 or newer, and Euro VI for heavy vehicles.

Birmingham's Clean Air Zone has continued operating since it was introduced in June 2021, with the aim of reducing nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels and improving air quality across the city. The current charging structure remains in place in 2026.

There have been no major changes that remove the need for drivers to check their vehicle compliance. The rules remain based on emissions standards rather than vehicle age, meaning some older vehicles may still be compliant while some newer vehicles may not meet the required standards. Some vehicles may qualify for exemptions, but these are limited and vary depending on the vehicle type and circumstances.

The Birmingham CAZ daily charges are:

Motorcycles and mopeds are not charged, regardless of emissions standard. If you're unsure whether your vehicle is chargeable, use the Regit Birmingham CAZ Checker before you travel.

The Birmingham Clean Air Zone operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

If you drive a non-compliant vehicle into the zone at any time, including weekends and bank holidays, you will need to pay the daily charge.

Checking your vehicle before travelling into Birmingham's Clean Air Zone is the easiest way to find out whether you need to pay a daily charge. The process is quick and only requires your vehicle registration number.

1. Enter your vehicle registration number into the Birmingham Clean Air Zone Checker.
2. Review your vehicle information and tell us the reason for the search - the checker identifies your fuel type, Euro emissions standard, vehicle category and whether it meets Birmingham CAZ requirements.
3. Find out whether your vehicle is compliant or whether a daily CAZ charge may apply.

If your vehicle does not meet the required standards, you can consider your options before travelling, such as paying the daily charge, using an alternative route or looking into cleaner vehicle options.

The Birmingham Clean Air Zone uses Euro emission standards to determine whether a vehicle meets the required air quality rules. The minimum Birmingham CAZ standards are:

• Petrol cars and vans: Euro 4 or newer
• Diesel cars and vans: Euro 6 or newer
• Heavy vehicles, including buses, coaches and HGVs: Euro VI

Generally, most petrol cars registered from around 2006 onwards meet the Euro 4 standard, and most diesel cars registered from around 2015 onwards meet the Euro 6 standard. However, the exact emissions rating depends on the individual vehicle, so checking your registration number is the most reliable way to confirm whether your vehicle is compliant.

To pay the Birmingham CAZ charge online, you will need:

• Your vehicle registration number
• The date you travelled through the Clean Air Zone
• A valid payment method, such as a debit or credit card

The online payment process allows you to check your vehicle details and confirm whether a charge applies before completing payment. You can pay in advance before entering the zone, on the day of travel, or after your journey within the permitted payment window. Keeping confirmation of your payment is recommended in case you need to prove that the charge has been paid.

The Birmingham Clean Air Zone charge can be paid:

• Up to 6 days before your journey
• On the day you travel through the zone
• Up to 6 days after entering the zone

This gives drivers flexibility to pay after travelling if they are unsure whether they entered the zone or need time to check their vehicle details. If you fail to pay within this timeframe and your vehicle is not compliant, Birmingham City Council may issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), which can cost significantly more than the original daily CAZ charge.

Some vehicles may not need to pay the Birmingham Clean Air Zone charge, including:

• Motorcycles and mopeds - not charged, regardless of their emissions standard.
• Fully electric cars, vans and other zero-emission vehicles - they produce no tailpipe emissions.
• Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles - exempt because they produce no harmful exhaust emissions.
• Vehicles that meet the required emissions standards - the most common way to avoid the charge.
• Certain specialist and emergency vehicles - linked to the vehicle's purpose and classification.
• Some historic vehicles - depending on their official classification.

Drivers should check their vehicle details before travelling, as not every older vehicle automatically qualifies as exempt.

Living, working or regularly travelling within Birmingham's Clean Air Zone does not automatically make you exempt. Residents who live inside the zone, commuters who travel into Birmingham for work and businesses operating within the CAZ must still follow the same emissions rules as other drivers.

If you drive a non-compliant vehicle into the zone, you may need to pay the daily charge even if:

• You live inside the CAZ boundary
• You work in Birmingham city centre
• You regularly travel through the zone

Drivers who frequently enter the CAZ may want to consider whether their vehicle is suitable for their regular journeys or explore cleaner transport options.

Birmingham has previously introduced support schemes to help eligible residents, businesses and organisations replace higher-emission vehicles with cleaner alternatives. These schemes have aimed to help drivers affected by the Clean Air Zone by providing financial support towards options such as:

• Replacing an older vehicle
• Switching to a cleaner vehicle
• Exploring alternative transport options

However, funding availability, eligibility criteria and application processes can change over time. Drivers should check the latest information from Birmingham City Council before applying for any support scheme to confirm whether funding is currently available and whether they qualify.

Having a Blue Badge does not automatically exempt you from Birmingham's Clean Air Zone charge.

Unlike some other parking and road schemes, disability status alone does not mean a vehicle can enter the CAZ without charge. Some disabled drivers or passengers may be eligible for specific support or exemptions depending on their circumstances, vehicle use and eligibility criteria. Where an exemption or support scheme applies, drivers may need to apply and provide evidence before travelling.

If you are a Blue Badge holder or regularly transport someone with a disability, it is important to check the latest Birmingham CAZ rules before entering the zone in a non-compliant vehicle.

The Birmingham Clean Air Zone penalty charge is:

• £120
• Reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days

The original CAZ charge may also still need to be paid separately. Paying within the reduced payment period can help reduce the cost, so it is important to check your notice carefully and act before the deadline shown.

If you believe a Birmingham CAZ Penalty Charge Notice has been issued incorrectly, you have the right to challenge it through Birmingham City Council.

You may need to provide evidence explaining why the charge should not apply, such as:

• Proof that the CAZ charge was already paid
• Evidence that your vehicle met the required emissions standards
• Confirmation that your vehicle qualified for an exemption
• Evidence that the vehicle was not in the zone at the time stated

Each challenge is considered individually, and you should submit any supporting information clearly and within the timeframe stated on the PCN. If your challenge is unsuccessful, you may still have further options to appeal depending on the circumstances of your case.