Bristol Clean Air Zone

Who pays

Class D: cars, taxis, vans, HGVs, buses and coaches that are diesel older than Euro 6 or petrol older than Euro 4. Motorbikes, fully electric, hydrogen fuel cell and CVRAS-retrofitted vehicles are not charged. As a guide petrol from about 2006 and diesel from about end-2015 are compliant.

When it applies

24 hours a day, midnight to midnight, 365 days a year. Parked vehicles that do not move are not charged.

How much

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
• Specialist vehicle exemption (tax classes 4, 8, 11 and tax class 12 emergency vehicles)
• Hospital patient and visitor exemption for some patients/visitors to the Bristol Royal Infirmary complex
• Financial Assistance Scheme exemption (telematics assessment, or approved finance awaiting replacement/retrofit)
• Temporary Blue Badge exemptions ended 31 March 2023; disabled tax class remains nationally exempt

How to pay

Online at GOV.UK Drive in a Clean Air Zone service or national CAZ support 0300 029 8888. Business accounts available. Advance payments are not refunded if you don't travel.

Payment deadline

Up to 6 days before, on the day, or up to 6 days after entering the zone.

If you don't pay

PCN £120 plus the unpaid CAZ charge; reduced to £60 plus the charge if paid within 14 days of the date of service. 28 days to pay or appeal; if unpaid a charge certificate increases the amount by 50%; court registration (Order for Recovery) adds £9.

Good to know

Live since 28 November 2022. Non-UK vehicles are fined. Cardiff Council's July 2026 release says Bristol is also exploring a Workplace Parking Levy (not a driving charge). lat/lon/radius approximate.