Bristol’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) has been active since 28 November 2022, aiming to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality across the city.
It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, charging drivers of non-compliant vehicles that do not meet emissions standards.
As a Class D CAZ, Bristol’s clean air zone applies to private cars, taxis, vans, buses, and HGVs, meaning many motorists need to check whether their vehicle is compliant before entering the zone.
What This Guide Covers
The Bristol CAZ officially launched on 28 November 2022, following delays from the initial 2021 target due to concerns over the financial impact on residents and businesses.
To mitigate these concerns, Bristol City Council secured £42 million in funding to support vehicle upgrades.
Since its launch, the CAZ has had a significant impact:
Despite these improvements, the CAZ remains unpopular among some residents due to reports of increased congestion in surrounding areas.
The Bristol CAZ may be scrapped within three to four years if air pollution levels remain below legal limits.
However, this will depend on ongoing air quality monitoring and government regulations.
Most vehicles already meet the zone’s emission standards and won’t be charged. Bristol City Council estimate 71% are already compliant and that this should increase as more people take advantage of the loans and grants to upgrade their vehicles.
The CAZ covers key city centre areas and major access routes, including:
Clear road signage and ANPR cameras indicate when drivers are entering the zone.
For a detailed interactive CAZ map, visit the Bristol City Council website.
Non-compliant vehicles entering the CAZ must pay a daily charge, applicable once per 24-hour period, regardless of the number of times a vehicle enters the zone.
Vehicles meeting the following emissions standards are exempt from charges:
To check a vehicle’s compliance, visit the official GOV.UK vehicle checker below!
Bristol City Council has secured £42 million to support individuals and businesses in upgrading to CAZ-compliant vehicles.
The funding also includes interest-free loans to support vehicle upgrades.
To apply for financial support, visit the Bristol City Council website.
Payments must be made within six days of entering the CAZ.
In the last few years, there have been concerns over worsening air-quality conditions in Bristol. The usage of electric-based PMVs (personal mobility vehicles) causes fewer carbon emissions compared to similar journeys made by fossil fuel-based cars.
Some temporary exemptions remain available in 2025 for residents, businesses, and vulnerable groups.
For more details on exemptions, visit the Bristol City Council website.
If a vehicle does not meet CAZ requirements, drivers have several options:
The Bristol clean air zone will benefit many residents and small businesses as they transition to greener methods of transport.
Other options are available if your vehicle is incompatible and you don’t meet the standards set by the Bristol clean air zone.
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