Should I Scrap My Car In The Birmingham Clean Air Zone?

With highly polluting diesel and petrol cars being affected by both the Birmingham clean air zone and rising VED tax rates, it's never been more important to remove your car in Birmingham. Scrap Local are here to help! Our award-winning network of vehicle recyclers is on hand to scrap your car for the best scrap prices across Birmingham. We provide professional, reliable and convenient vehicle recycling service that offers free quotes with no hidden admin fees. Get a FREE quote today!

What Postcodes Are Affected By The Birmingham Clean Air Zone?

The Birmingham clean air zone covers all of the roads across the A540 ring road, although it will not cover Middleware itself. The affected postcodes in the Birmingham Clean Air Zone include: B1, B10, B12, B15, B16, B18, B19, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 and B9.

How Can I Check My Vehicle In The Birmingham Clean Air Zone?

To check out what to pay for your vehicle in the Birmingham Clean Air Zone, check out the gov.uk website to view their vehicle checker tool.

What Are The Birmingham Clean Air Zone Congestion Charges?

The Birmingham Clean Air Zone charges are as follows: £8 per day for cars, taxis and vans HGVs, coaches, buses are charged £50 per day It's important to note that the charge is daily and will allow a vehicle to enter the Birmingham clean air zone multiple times.

What Are The Birmingham Clean Air Zone Exemptions?

The Birmingham Clean Air Zone charges are as follows: £8 per day for cars, taxis and vans HGVs, coaches, buses are charged £50 per day It's important to note that the charge is daily and will allow a vehicle to enter the Birmingham clean air zone multiple times.

What Is The Refunds Policy For The Birmingham Clean Air Zone?

You can only be given a refund under the Birmingham Clean Air Zone under select circumstances. These include: If you enter your vehicle's details incorrectly in the vehicle checker. Unless advised, you can pay the charge within 7 working days. If unsure of the Birmingham Clean Air Zone refunds policy, contact Clean Air Zone Support.

Birmingham Clean Air Zone

The Birmingham Clean Air Zone (CAZ) was launched on June 1, 2021, to tackle rising pollution levels and promote greener travel within the city centre.

It operates 24/7, 365 days a year, targeting high-emission vehicles.

This guide provides the most recent updates for 2025, including charges, exemptions, compliance standards, grants, and ongoing air quality initiatives.

Why Was the Birmingham Clean Air Zone Introduced?

The Birmingham CAZ was introduced to address high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) pollution, particularly in areas with heavy traffic congestion.

Purpose: Improve air quality and public health.
Goal: Reduce NO₂ pollution to meet legal air quality standards.
Scope: Part of Birmingham’s commitment to becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2030.

Since its implementation, the CAZ has significantly reduced high-polluting vehicles entering the city centre.

The percentage of chargeable vehicles dropped from 15.2% to 6.6% as of March 2023.

NO₂ levels have decreased by 13%, although some areas still exceed legal limits.

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Birmingham Clean Air Zone Start Date and Operation

The Birmingham Clean Air Zone started on June 1, 2021, and operates continuously:

Operating Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Daily Charge: Applied once per day, regardless of how many times you enter the zone.
Duration: Charges apply every day of the year, including weekends and holidays.

The CAZ remains in operation as of 2025, as Birmingham City Council continues efforts to meet air quality standards.

Birmingham Clean Air Zone Map

The Birmingham CAZ covers all roads within the A4540 Middleway Ring Road, excluding the Middleway itself. It encompasses the entire city centre, including:

Digbeth
Deritend
Southside District (Chinese Quarter and Gay Village)
Jewellery Quarter
Highgate
Newtown
Bordesley

The CAZ affects multiple postcodes, including:

B1, B2, B3, B4 – Birmingham City Centre
B5, B6, B7, B9 – Digbeth, Aston, Nechells, Bordesley Green
B10, B12, B15, B16 – Small Heath, Balsall Heath, Edgbaston, Ladywood
B18, B19 – Harborne, Lozells, Newtown

For a detailed map, visit the Birmingham Clean Air Zone Map.

Birmingham Clean Air Zone Vehicle Checker

To check if your vehicle meets the emission standards required for the Birmingham CAZ, use the Government’s vehicle checker.

Non-compliant vehicles are typically those that do not meet:
Euro 6 standards for diesel (vehicles registered before September 2015)
Euro 4 standards for petrol (vehicles registered before 2006)

Compliant vehicles include electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and compliant hybrid vehicles.

Birmingham Clean Air Zone Charges and Compliance

The Birmingham CAZ applies charges to the following non-compliant vehicles:

Cars, Taxis, and Vans: £8 per day
Buses, Coaches, and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs): £50 per day
Fully electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are exempt from charges.
Daily Charge Details:
Charges are applied daily from midnight to midnight.
Entering the zone multiple times within the same day incurs only one charge.
Payments can be made up to six days before or after the day of travel.

To pay your charge or penalty, visit the Government’s Clean Air Zone payment portal.

Birmingham Clean Air Zone Exemptions

Certain vehicles are exempt from Birmingham CAZ charges, either permanently or temporarily:

Permanent Exemptions:

Vehicles with Disabled Tax Class
Historic Vehicles (over 40 years old)
Military Vehicles
Specialist Emergency Service Vehicles

Temporary Exemptions:

Temporary exemption permits are available for some residents and workers in the CAZ.
Medical exemptions are provided for those travelling to specific healthcare facilities within the zone.

Birmingham Clean Air Zone Grants and Funding

Brum Breathes Fund

Launched on the second anniversary of the CAZ, providing:
£20,000 per year for single-member council wards
£40,000 per year for two-member wards
A total of £4 million is available until March 2025

Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Credit Scheme

£10 million scheme supporting people working in the CAZ who earn less than £30,000 per annum.
Successful applicants can receive a £2,000 grant for scrapping a non-compliant vehicle, used as travel credit or towards a compliant vehicle.

Taxi Support Grants

Over £1 million has been issued to Birmingham-licensed hackney carriage and private hire drivers.
Hackney Carriage Drivers: Up to £5,000 for retrofitting or purchasing a compliant vehicle.
Private Hire Drivers: Up to £2,000 towards a hybrid vehicle or £1,250 annually for running costs of a fully electric or long-range plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Ongoing Air Quality Initiatives in Birmingham

All revenues generated by the scheme are reinvested in local transport-related policies, including:

Hydrogen bus trials
Train station upgrades
Cycling infrastructure improvements
Car-free school streets
Expanded 20 mph zones

These initiatives aim to reduce traffic congestion and promote sustainable transportation in Birmingham.

Question's On The Birmingham Clean Air Zone

Should I Scrap My Car In The Birmingham Clean Air Zone?

With highly polluting diesel and petrol cars being affected by both the Birmingham clean air zone and rising VED tax rates, it’s never been more important to remove your car in Birmingham.

Scrap Local are here to help! Our award-winning network of vehicle recyclers is on hand to scrap your car for the best scrap prices across Birmingham. We provide professional, reliable and convenient vehicle recycling service that offers free quotes with no hidden admin fees.

Get a FREE quote today!
What Postcodes Are Affected By The Birmingham Clean Air Zone?

The Birmingham clean air zone covers all of the roads across the A540 ring road, although it will not cover Middleware itself.

The affected postcodes in the Birmingham Clean Air Zone include:

B1, B10, B12, B15, B16, B18, B19, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 and B9.
How Can I Check My Vehicle In The Birmingham Clean Air Zone?

To check out what to pay for your vehicle in the Birmingham Clean Air Zone, check out the gov.uk website to view their vehicle checker tool.
What Are The Birmingham Clean Air Zone Congestion Charges?
The Birmingham Clean Air Zone charges are as follows:
- £8 per day for cars, taxis and vans
- HGVs, coaches, buses are charged £50 per day
It’s important to note that the charge is daily and will allow a vehicle to enter the Birmingham clean air zone multiple times.
What Are The Birmingham Clean Air Zone Exemptions?
Permits are available within the Birmingham clean air zone for businesses and low-income workers.
- Commercial vehicles can apply for a 1-year exception
- Community and school transport vans can apply for an exemption if registered under Section 19 or Section 22 for use in Birmingham.
What Is The Refunds Policy For The Birmingham Clean Air Zone?
You can only be given a refund under the Birmingham Clean Air Zone under select circumstances. These include:
- If you enter your vehicle’s details incorrectly in the vehicle checker.
- Unless advised, you can pay the charge within 7 working days.
If unsure of the Birmingham Clean Air Zone refunds policy, contact Clean Air Zone Support.
When Did the Birmingham Clean Air Zone Start?

The Birmingham CAZ was launched on June 1, 2021.