Portsmouth Clean Air Zone: Charges, Map & Exemptions

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Portsmouth's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) only charges certain non-compliant vehicles. Most private cars, motorcycles and vans can drive through the zone without paying a charge.

This guide explains everything you need to know about the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone, including the latest CAZ charges, the zone map, vehicle exemptions and how to check if your vehicle is affected before you travel.

To avoid unexpected charges, use Regit's free Portsmouth CAZ Checker to find out if your vehicle will be charged before entering the Clean Air Zone. If you live in other areas of the UK and are affected by ULEZ or CAZ, you can check if your car is exempt from the charges here.

Portsmouth CAZ Checker

Regit's Portsmouth CAZ Checker lets you check your vehicle's compliance in seconds using your registration number. You'll instantly see whether your vehicle is compliant, if a Clean Air Zone charge applies, and your compliance status across all UK Clean Air Zones.

How to use the vehicle compliance checker

Enter your vehicle registration number into the checker.
Select the reason for checking your compliance.
View your results for all UK clean air zones.
See whether your vehicle is compliant or whether a charge applies.

What happens if your vehicle fails the CAZ check

If your vehicle fails the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone (CAZ) check, you'll need to pay a daily Clean Air Zone charge if you drive within the zone. Whether you need to pay depends on your vehicle type and whether it meets the required emissions standards.

If your vehicle is not compliant:

You'll need to pay the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone daily charge to drive in the zone.
The charge applies once per day, no matter how many times you enter or leave the zone that day.

What happens if I don't pay the Portsmouth CAZ charge

If you don't pay the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone charge within the payment window, you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). The standard PCN is £120, reduced to £60 if you pay within 14 days, and the original daily CAZ charge may still be added on top. The zone is monitored by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, and charges apply per day rather than per journey.

If you ignore or delay payment:

You may receive a £120 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
The original daily CAZ charge may still be added.
Late payment can increase the total amount owed.
The case may be passed for enforcement action if it remains unpaid.

Portsmouth Clean Air Zone Charges

Portsmouth launched its own Clean Air Zone on 29th November 2021. It is a Class B zone, so only certain non-compliant vehicles are charged - most private cars, vans and motorcycles can drive through the zone without paying a charge.

There are some specific vehicle exemptions, including for emergency service and military vehicles. Check if you'll be charged via our checker above or head to the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone website to view the full list of exemptions.

How much is the daily charge

The daily charge depends on the type of vehicle you drive and whether it meets Portsmouth CAZ standards.

Private cars: £0 (not charged)
Motorcycles: £0 (not charged)
Vans: £0 (not charged)
Non-compliant taxis and private hire vehicles: £10 per day
Non-compliant HGVs, buses and coaches: £50 per day

Charges only apply if your vehicle is not compliant and you drive within the zone.

Which vehicle types pay - and which don't

Portsmouth has a Class B Clean Air Zone, so only certain non-compliant vehicles need to pay the charge, these include:

Non-compliant taxis and private hire vehicles
Non-compliant HGVs
Non-compliant buses and coaches
Some larger motorhomes may also be charged if the DVLA classifies them as HGVs

Whereas these vehicles do not pay in Portsmouth's Class B CAZ, regardless of age or emissions standard:

Private cars
Vans
Motorcycles
Minibuses

The easiest way to find out whether your vehicle is affected is to check your registration with Regit's Portsmouth Clean Air Zone Checker before you travel.

How and where to pay - and how long you have

If your vehicle is required to pay the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charge, you can pay up to six days before you travel, on the day you enter the zone, or up to six days afterwards. All payments must be made through the Government's official Clean Air Zone payment service.

It's your responsibility to check whether your vehicle is chargeable and make sure you pay on time. No payment reminders are sent, so checking your vehicle before you travel can help you avoid unnecessary penalties.

Key payment deadlines and penalties:

You can pay up to 6 days before, on the day of travel, or up to 6 days after driving in the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone.
The payment deadline is 11:59pm on the sixth day after you enter the zone.
If you don't pay by the deadline, you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
The PCN is £60 if paid within 14 days, plus the original Portsmouth CAZ charge.
After 14 days, the penalty increases to £120, plus the original Clean Air Zone charge.

Where is the Portsmouth CAZ boundary

The Portsmouth Clean Air Zone (CAZ) covers much of the city centre and the south-western part of Portsea Island. However, some major roads and routes, including the motorway approaches and Portsmouth International Port, are outside the charging zone.

If you're unsure whether your journey passes through the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone, it's worth checking the official CAZ map before you travel.

The Portsmouth CAZ boundary includes:

North: Around Kingston Crescent.
East: Along Fratton Road.
South: To the junction of the B2154 and Ladysmith Road in the Landport area.
West: Portsmouth Harbour, including much of the city centre.

Key areas inside the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone include:

Portsmouth City Centre
Portsea
Somers Town
Landport
Gunwharf Quays
Portsmouth Harbour railway station

Roads and areas outside the Portsmouth CAZ include:

M275
A27
M27
Portsmouth International Port, including all traffic travelling to and from the port

The Portsmouth Clean Air Zone is monitored by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, which check whether chargeable vehicles have paid the required daily fee. If you need to confirm whether a specific road is inside the zone, the official Portsmouth Clean Air Zone map is the best reference.

Which Vehicles Are Exempt from the Portsmouth CAZ

What CAZ class is my vehicle

Portsmouth is a Class B Clean Air Zone, so only certain non-compliant vehicles are charged. In simple terms, the zone applies to taxis and private hire vehicles, buses, coaches and HGVs, while private cars, vans and motorcycles are not charged.

Your vehicle's CAZ class depends on its type and emissions. The easiest way to check your compliance is by using the Portsmouth CAZ checker, which will tell you whether your vehicle is compliant, exempt, or liable for a charge.

What does CAZ Class C and D exempt mean

Although Portsmouth uses a Class B Clean Air Zone, you may see references to Class C and Class D when checking other UK Clean Air Zones.

If your vehicle is exempt from a Class C or Class D Clean Air Zone, it means you can enter that zone without paying a daily charge.

Here's how the different CAZ classes compare:

Class B: Charges non-compliant taxis, private hire vehicles, buses, coaches and HGVs.
Class C: Charges non-compliant vans, minibuses, taxis, private hire vehicles, buses, coaches and HGVs, but not private cars.
Class D: Charges almost all non-compliant vehicles, including private cars, as well as vans, taxis, buses, coaches and HGVs.

An exemption usually means your vehicle meets the required emissions standards or qualifies for a specific exemption, so you don't need to pay a Clean Air Zone charge.

Which commercial vehicles are charged - taxis, HGVs and coaches?

In the Portsmouth CAZ, only certain non-compliant commercial vehicles are charged.

Taxis and private hire vehicles pay £10 per day.
HGVs, buses and coaches pay £50 per day.

Portsmouth's Emission Zone - Is It a ULEZ, LEZ or Congestion Charge?

Portsmouth's emission zone is a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) - not an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), Low Emission Zone (LEZ) or a Congestion Charge.

Unlike a congestion charge, which applies to most vehicles entering a specific area, the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone only charges certain non-compliant commercial vehicles that do not meet the required emissions standards. Most private cars, vans and motorcycles are not charged.

Is the Portsmouth CAZ a Low Emission Zone (LEZ)?

Portsmouth operates a Class B Clean Air Zone (CAZ) rather than a Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

It is designed to improve air quality by charging certain non-compliant taxis, private hire vehicles, buses, coaches and HGVs. Most private cars, vans and motorcycles can enter the zone without paying a charge.

Does Portsmouth have a ULEZ?

Portsmouth does not have an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

Unlike London's ULEZ, which charges non-compliant cars and many other vehicles, Portsmouth's CAZ only charges certain non-compliant commercial vehicles, including taxis, private hire vehicles, buses, coaches and HGVs.

Is the Portsmouth CAZ the same as a Congestion Charge?

The Portsmouth CAZ is not the same as a congestion charge. A congestion charge is designed to reduce traffic in a busy area, whereas Portsmouth's CAZ is aimed at cutting air pollution by charging vehicles that do not meet emissions standards. If your vehicle is compliant or not included in the Class B CAZ, you can drive in the zone without paying a charge.

These differences mean that the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone is based on vehicle emissions, not simply on driving into the city centre.

Check City Clean Air & Low Emission Zones

From Birmingham to Edinburgh, more cities are introducing Clean Air and Low Emission Zones. Use Regit to see if your car is compliant, understand the charges, and plan your journeys with confidence.

Daily Charge, Location and Expansion

Daily charges and exemptions inside the A4540 Middleway Ring Road.

Check charges for petrol, diesel and taxi drivers in central Bristol.

UK’s first CAZ – see which vehicles pay and who’s exempt.

First ZEZ in the UK – stricter rules apply, even for hybrids.

Charges for taxis, vans, buses and HGVs to reduce city pollution.

Applies in Newcastle and Gateshead – charges vary by vehicle type.

Daily charges for buses, coaches, taxis and HGVs in the inner ring.

Scotland’s first LEZ – phased rules now apply to cars and vans.

City centre restrictions – full enforcement from 2024.

Applies to central Edinburgh – non-compliant vehicles will be fined.

Targeting older vehicles in the city centre to cut pollution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do motorcycles have to pay the Portsmouth CAZ charge?

No – motorcycles are not usually charged in the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone (CAZ). They are generally excluded from chargeable vehicle categories, so most riders can enter the zone without paying.

Do electric cars pay the Portsmouth CAZ charge?

No – electric cars do not normally pay the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone charge. As long as your vehicle is fully electric and meets the required emissions exemption criteria, no CAZ charge should apply.

Are Blue Badge holders exempt from the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone?

Not automatically. Having a Blue Badge does not guarantee exemption from the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone charge. Eligibility depends on the vehicle itself and whether it meets the required emissions standards, so it's important to check your vehicle before travelling.

Can I pay the Portsmouth CAZ charge in advance?

Yes. You can usually pay the Portsmouth CAZ charge before you travel, on the day, or shortly after entering the zone. Paying early is recommended to avoid missing the deadline and receiving a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

Is the Portsmouth Ferry Port inside the Clean Air Zone?

Parts of the Portsmouth International Port area are close to the Clean Air Zone boundary, but not all routes into the port are included. If you are travelling to the ferry terminal, it's important to check your exact route against the Portsmouth CAZ map to see if you will enter the charging zone.

Do I need to pay if I am just passing through Portsmouth via the M275?

No. You do not usually need to pay if you are only using the M275 and do not enter the Clean Air Zone. The charge only applies if your vehicle travels inside the Portsmouth CAZ boundary.