Driving charges · Clean air zone
Birmingham Clean Air Zone
Birmingham city centre: everything inside the A4540 Middleway ring road, but not the Middleway itself (Class D, about 2.96 square miles).
Who pays
Class D: all vehicles except motorcycles/mopeds that do not meet: diesel Euro 6 (VI), petrol Euro 4, gas Euro 6 (VI); hybrids judged on their engine. Includes private cars, taxis, vans, buses, coaches and HGVs.
When it applies
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year; charge day midnight to midnight (crossing midnight = 2 days).
How much
| Vehicle | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cars, taxis/private hire vehicles and vans (LGVs) | £8 | per day |
| Coaches, buses and HGVs | £50 | per day |
| Motorcycles and mopeds | £0 | not charged |
Discounts and exemptions
- National exemptions (automatic, all English CAZs): ultra low emission vehicles, disabled and disabled passenger tax class vehicles, military vehicles, historic vehicles, vehicles retrofitted under the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS), certain agricultural vehicles
- Local exemption permits currently only for recovery vehicles, community transport vehicles and school transport vehicles
- One-day medical exemption vouchers for patients/parents attending Birmingham Children's Hospital (redeem on the day or within 6 days)
- Residents' exemption ended 31 May 2023
How to pay
Online at GOV.UK Drive in a Clean Air Zone service, or by phone 0300 029 8888 (Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 8am-2pm). Business accounts can pay by bank account.
Payment deadline
Up to 6 days before, on the day, or up to 6 days after (by 23:59 on the 6th day) - a 13-day window.
If you don't pay
PCN £120, reduced by 50% to £60 if paid within 14 days of the date of service; 28 days to pay. If ignored, a charge certificate raises it by 50% to £180.
Good to know
Only Class D (car-charging) CAZ outside London besides Bristol. The Birmingham PCN page does not say whether the unpaid daily charge must also be paid on top of the PCN. Council's Clean Air Strategy being refreshed (Jan 2026 page); no announced change to charges found. lat/lon/radius approximate.
Sources: www.brumbreathes.co.uk/ · www.brumbreathes.co.uk/info/25/welcome-2/45/charges-operatio · www.brumbreathes.co.uk/info/25/welcome-2/45/charges-operatio · www.brumbreathes.co.uk/info/25/welcome-2/45/charges-operatio · www.brumbreathes.co.uk/info/25/welcome-2/45/charges-operatio · www.brumbreathes.co.uk/info/29/exemptions-3 · www.brumbreathes.co.uk/info/29/exemptions-3/21/apply-exempti · www.brumbreathes.co.uk/info/32/charges-operation/34/paying-d · www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-a-clean-air-zone