UK Clean Air Zone charges are in effect in Sheffield from 27th February 2023. If you’re a professional driver in the West Midlands, North of England and surrounding areas, you’ll know how the Birmingham CAZ works. But there are a few differences in the new Sheffield CAZ rules that are worth reading up on.
Here’s where you can find a Sheffield CAZ map, some of the new rules, and the reason why every UK Clean Air Zone sets its own rules.
What Are Clean Air Zones?
The idea behind Clean Air Zones is to reduce air pollution on busy city centre roads. Vehicles aren’t banned from entering, but they might have to pay a charge if they don’t meet pollution standards.
They were introduced as part of the government’s Air Quality Plan, and rolled out in the past couple of years. But the conditions of each CAZ are decided by local authorities to suit their area’s routes and traffic, so not every zone has the same terms and conditions.
Which UK Cities Have Clean Air Zones?
The UK cities with clean air zones in 2023 are Birmingham, Bath, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth and Tyneside. Sheffield will start charging vehicles in its clean air zone on 27th February 2023. The plan for the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone is being reviewed during 2023.
Other cities run separate schemes to cut down on pollution in busy areas. For example, there’s no Clean Air Zone in London, which has its own Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). And Oxford has a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) in effect.
Which Vehicles Are Affected by Clean Air Zones?
Each clean air zone is classed A-D under the CAZ rules, and this system helps you can find out whether you will need to pay for your vehicle to pass though it.
At the time of writing, Portsmouth has a Class B Clean Air Zone. Bath, Bradford and Tynecastle covering Newcastle and Gateshead all have Class C Clean Air Zones. Sheffield will be a Class C Clean Air Zone. Birmingham and Bristol have Class D Clean Air Zones.
These are the vehicles affected in each category:
Class A
HGVs, buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles
Class B
HGVs, buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles
Class C
HGVs, buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and LGVs
Class D
HGVs, buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, LGVs, minivans and cars (local authorities can choose to include motorcycles if they want to)
But not every vehicle will have to pay. You can find the full list of national Clean Air Zone exemptions here, including military vehicles, ultra low emission vehicles or those that have been retrofitted with accredited technology, and disabled tax class vehicles.
As well as vehicles which are exempt from CAZ charges nationally, there are some local exemptions. If you’re going to be driving through a Clean Air Zone, check the city’s own guidance in case you qualify.
Do I Have to Pay to Drive Through a UK Clean Air Zone?
Some CAZs are charging, and others are non-charging – local authorities can choose which model suits their city best.
You can use the government portal and check if your vehicle passed through a CAZ and pay the fee. If you run a fleet of vehicles, you can set up a business account to check and pay for multiple licence plate numbers. You can also use the same portal to view maps of CAZs.
If you’re a taxi driver, HGV or LGV driver with routes in the area, you can find a Sheffield CAZ map here on the Sheffield City Council website.
Do I Have to Pay to Drive in Sheffield CAZ?
The new 2023 Sheffield Clean Air Zone is a Class C chargeable Clean Air Zone, so you have to pay a fee unless your vehicle qualifies for exemption. It will operate 24/7 so even if you drive overnight you have to pay. Though locally run LGV businesses and licensed Hackney Carriages can apply for a temporary exemption until 5th June 2023.
From Monday 27th February 2023, vans/LGVs and taxis will have to pay £10 per day unless they are exempt or meet clean air standards. Coaches, buses, lorries/HGVS will be charged £50. If you’re an HGV driver or taxi driver in Birmingham or another city that operates a Clean Air Zone, then it’s worth checking the details of the Sheffield CAZ since each city has a slightly different set of rules.
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