Clear Air Zone Charges - Do I Have to Pay?

Did you get a Clean Air Zone Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) and don’t know what to do next? This guide is here to help. Every month, more than 130,000 people visit our website for advice on fines and parking tickets.

In this piece, we’ll help you get to grips with:

What a Clean Air Zone PCN is and the reasons you might have one.
If you need to settle it straight away.
How to fight against the charge if you believe it’s not right.
Cases where you might not need to pay.
What could happen if you decide not to pay.

We understand that getting a PCN can be both worrying and a bit baffling. But you might find comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. In fact, In 2021, Churchill Motor Insurance reported an 8% increase in penalty charge notices (PCNs) in Britain, with over 5.2 million issued. ¹

Don’t worry; we’re here to help you figure things out.

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Clean Air Zones in the UK

There are a number of CAZ in cities across the UK, with more planned. At the time this page was published, this list of zones was correct.

Class B:
- Portsmouth
Class C:
- Bath
- Bradford
Class D:
- Birmingham

How is CAZ enforced?

Local authorities enforce CAZ using signs that tell motorists they are about to enter a Clean Air Zone.

Councils also use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to identify cars that enter and leave a zone before checking them against a database.

Check the right challenge process

Check whether you need to make an informal challenge, formal representations or an independent tribunal appeal. Follow the route and deadline printed on your notice. London cases generally go to London Tribunals; relevant cases in England outside London and Wales go to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Other UK jurisdictions have different procedures.

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General information. The procedure depends on the notice and jurisdiction. Check the issuer’s instructions.

What Vehicles Are Exempt From the Rules?

Unlike a LEZ or ULEZ, a clean air zone restricts all types of vehicles from entering the zone.

Unless it is one of the types of vehicles that are expressly allowed. This is an important distinction between CAZ and U/LEZ. As the latter exempts electric and hybrid vehicles.

Do You Have To Pay a CAZ Penalty Charge?

If you receive a penalty charge notice for driving in a clean air zone, such as a ULEZ PCN, you are probably going to have to pay it.

When your vehicle is seen in a clean air zone, and it is not on the exempt list, it will be very difficult to prove your innocence.

Check out why this motorist got 4 Clean Air Zone PCNs in one day because they didn’t know the rules on how to pay.

Source: Moneysavingexpert

However, sometimes a PCN will be sent by mistake, and in such cases, you could challenge it.

Appeal Process Steps

Certain types of PCNs can be successfully appealed for various reasons. For instance, the timing of when the PCN was issued in relation to the offense can sometimes be grounds for appeal.

Here’s a quick table that will help you understand each step of the appeal process. If you want to learn more about your PCN, be sure to read our specialized guide.

When	Action
On receiving a council PCN	Read the notice, keep it, gather evidence and note all payment and challenge deadlines.
Windscreen or handed-to-driver PCN	An informal challenge may be available before the Notice to Owner. Early challenge can preserve a discount under the authority’s policy; 14 days is not a universal final appeal deadline.
Postal PCN or Notice to Owner	Normally make formal representations within 28 days as stated on the notice. Do not assume there is an extra informal stage.
Representations rejected	The Notice of Rejection explains how to appeal to the appropriate independent tribunal, normally within 28 days.
Appeal unsuccessful	Pay by the deadline given in the decision or obtain advice on any available review. Further statutory charges can follow if you do neither.
Other ticket type	Private parking charges and FPNs use different procedures; follow the actual notice.

Further guidance: Traffic Penalty Tribunal; Citizens Advice.

As mentioned above, when your appeal is considered, one of three things will then happen, as explained below.

You will receive a letter accepting your appeal. At this stage, you have won, and won’t have to pay the PCN.
You will receive a letter requesting that you provide more evidence.
You will receive a notice of rejection, that your appeal has been unsuccessful.

If your appeal is rejected, you then have the option to escalate the appeal to an independent tribunal.

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What Happens if You Don’t Pay?

A PCN for a clean air zone charge is an official document from the relevant local authority. In my experience, you should not just ignore it.

If you don’t pay it or challenge it, the local authority will pursue you for the debt.

You could end up in court if you don’t pay it, as it is a form of debt, and the council that sent the PCN is a creditor.

Eventually, you will get a County Court Judgement (CCJ) against you.

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How To Make a Payment

You should pay the PCN within 28 days.

If you don’t, you will be sent a charge certificate, which must be paid within 14-days. And the charge will have increased by 50%.

A PCN can typically be paid online. You will need your penalty charge notice number, and a valid credit or debit card to pay online.

Depending on the local authority that sent the PCN, there may be other ways to pay and details of these other payment methods will be shown on the PCN itself.

Getting More Help

Whether you pay or challenge the PCN will depend on whether you believe you have a good chance of having the penalty charge overturned.

It is worth doing your own research, and finding out if other people in similar circumstances have successfully won an appeal, and if so, how?

As always, be sure to double check facts and information you find online.

Before using a paid legal information service

A paid service is optional. Gather your notice and evidence, check the deadline and decide whether you need professional advice about your circumstances.

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