Tyneside (Newcastle and Gateshead) Clean Air Zone
Introduction
A Clean Air Zone (or CAZ) is an area where targeted action is being taken to improve air quality and a number of local authorities are introducing such zones.
In England, there are four zone types, A through D and each stipulate the minimum emission standard necessary to drive within the zone. If a vehicle does not meet the required standard then a charge may be payable in order to drive within the zone.
In Scotland, such areas are referred to as Low Emission Zones (or LEZ) and non-compliant vehicles are prohibited from entering such zones and a penalty charge notice will be issued each time this occurs with the penalty increasing upon each infraction.
Clean Air Zone Details
This is a Type C Clean Air Zone. Charges apply to buses, coaches, taxi's, private hire vehicles, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), vans and minibuses. Private cars and motorcycles are not included and will not be charged for entering the zone.
Vehicle Details
Charges will apply for the following vehicle types if they do not meet the minimum emission standard required.
Check Your Vehicle
Charges Apply
Payment
To make a payment for a Clean Air Zone journey, use the Government portal at:
Payments can be made up to 6 days in advance and any charge due must be paid by 11.59pm on the sixth day after driving into a zone.
More Information
Map of Charging Zone
Exemptions
National
You're automatically entitled to a national exemption and do not have to pay a charge, if you have:
- A vehicle that is ultra low emission
- A disabled passenger tax class vehicle
- A disabled tax class vehicle
- A military vehicle
- A historic vehicle
- A vehicle retrofitted with tehnology accredited by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS)
- Certain types of agricultural vehicles
Local
The list of locally exempt vehicles in Tyneside includes the following categories.
In order to be given a local exemption you will have to apply. Information on how to do this will be published as soon as it becomes available.
- Specialist agricultural and similar vehicles such as tractors, gritters, snow ploughs, mowing machines digging machines, road-rollers, mobile cranes, mobile pumping vehicles and steam-powered vehicles.
- Emergency vehicles used by the police, fire, ambulance/health service, mine rescue vehicles and lifeboat vehicles.
- Showmen's vehicles registered to the business of travelling showmen that have been specifically modified or constructed to be used to provide the performance and are permanently fitted with a special type of body or superstructure forming part of the equipment of the show, and are used solely by that person for the purposes of their business.
- Non-commercial vintage buses aged between 20 and 39 years.
- Vehicles awaiting replacement or retrofitting, where evidence is supplied that a compliant vehicle has been ordered or proof that the vehicle has been accepted for retrofitting by an approved supplier and is awaiting work to take place.
- Taxis and private hire vehicles subject to an ongoing finance agreement.
- Wheelchair accessible taxis/private hire vehicles.
- Motor Caravans
- Community Transport Vehicles
- Vehicles registered to businesses located within the CAZ
- Emergency rail replacement buses and coaches
- Bus and HGV driver training vehicles
- Breakdown recovery vehicles
- Hybrid vehicles
- Taxis and vans belonging to people living within the CAZ.