Birmingham Clean Air Zone
Check whether your vehicle is charged in the Birmingham CAZ, what you’d pay, and find compliant cars for sale nearby.
Officially this is the Birmingham Clean Air Zone (CAZ). It's also commonly searched as the Birmingham low emission zone, Birmingham ULEZ or Birmingham congestion charge — all names for this same scheme. Note that Birmingham is not part of London's ULEZ, and this is an emissions rule rather than a congestion charge.
In operation since May 2021
Is your car compliant in the Birmingham CAZ?
Enter your registration — free, instant, no sign-up. We’ll show your verdict for Birmingham and every other UK Clean Air Zone and Low Emission Zone.
Birmingham Clean Air Zone explained
The Birmingham Clean Air Zone (CAZ), a Class D zone, has been enforced since May 2021. Its charge area: All roads within the A4540 Middleway (inner ring road) in Birmingham city centre. The zone operates 24/7 (all day, every day).
Non-compliant cars pay £8/day to drive in the zone. In full: £8 per day for non-compliant cars, taxis and vans; £50 per day for non-compliant HGVs, buses and coaches. Vehicles that meet the standard (Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) required for vehicles to enter without charge.) and all fully electric cars pay nothing.
To check whether your registration is charged, enter it in the free checker above — it shows your Birmingham verdict alongside every other UK Clean Air Zone and LEZ. If your vehicle isn't compliant, pay the daily charge via gov.uk/clean-air-zones by the official deadline to avoid a Penalty Charge Notice.
Daily charges
£8 per day for non-compliant cars, taxis and vans; £50 per day for non-compliant HGVs, buses and coaches.
Operating hours
24/7 (all day, every day)
Emission standards
Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) required for vehicles to enter without charge.
Penalties
£120 penalty charge (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days) for non-payment.
Birmingham Clean Air Zone boundary & area
All roads within the A4540 Middleway (inner ring road) in Birmingham city centre.
Who is charged?
All non-compliant vehicles (including private cars) are charged to enter Birmingham’s CAZ.
Compliant in this zone
Cars for sale near Birmingham
These cars meet this zone's emission rules — no daily charge to drive in.
No compliant cars within ~30 miles of Birmingham right now.
Browse all compliant carsTowns covered
Iconic landmarks in the zone
- Bullring & Grand Central
- Library of Birmingham
- Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Birmingham Clean Air Zone map
The map below shows the Birmingham CAZ charge area. For the legally definitive boundary, always cross-check the official source before you travel.
Other UK Clean Air Zones
London (ULEZ)
£12.50/day for non-compliant cars.
Check zoneBristol CAZ
£9/day for non-compliant cars.
Check zoneAberdeen LEZ
No daily charge — non-compliant cars get a penalty notice.
Check zoneDundee LEZ
No daily charge — non-compliant cars get a penalty notice.
Check zoneEdinburgh LEZ
No daily charge — non-compliant cars get a penalty notice.
Check zoneGlasgow LEZ
No daily charge — non-compliant cars get a penalty notice.
Check zoneOxford ZEZ Pilot
£4/day — applies even to Euro-compliant petrol & diesel.
Check zoneBath CAZ
Private cars aren't charged here.
Check zoneBradford CAZ
Private cars aren't charged here.
Check zonePortsmouth CAZ
Private cars aren't charged here.
Check zoneSheffield CAZ
Private cars aren't charged here.
Check zoneTyneside CAZ
Private cars aren't charged here.
Check zoneBirmingham Clean Air Zone FAQs
Is Edgbaston in the Birmingham CAZ?
No. Edgbaston lies outside the A4540 Middleway ring road boundary of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone.
Is Digbeth in the Birmingham CAZ?
Yes. Digbeth is located just southeast of the city centre and is inside the Birmingham Clean Air Zone.
How do I check if my car is charged in the Birmingham Clean Air Zone?
Enter your registration into the official government checker at gov.uk/clean-air-zones to see whether the Birmingham zone applies to your vehicle. The zone's minimum emission standards are: Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) required for vehicles to enter without charge.
What happens if I drive in the Birmingham zone and don't pay?
£120 penalty charge (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days) for non-payment. Paying the daily charge on time avoids a Penalty Charge Notice.
Are any vehicles exempt from the Birmingham Clean Air Zone?
All non-compliant vehicles (including private cars) are charged to enter Birmingham’s CAZ. National exemptions typically cover historic (tax-exempt classic) vehicles and vehicles with a disabled tax class, and local exemption or support schemes vary — check the zone's official pages before travelling.
Which Euro emissions standard do I need for the Birmingham zone?
Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) required for vehicles to enter without charge. As a rule of thumb, petrol cars registered from 2006 (Euro 4) and diesel cars registered from September 2015 (Euro 6) meet these standards.
Which used cars are compliant with the Birmingham zone?
Most petrol cars registered after 2006 (Euro 4) and diesel cars registered after September 2015 (Euro 6) are compliant. Motoring.Today checks ULEZ/CAZ compliance on every listing and shows Birmingham-compliant cars in stock on this page.
Are private cars charged in the Birmingham zone?
Yes — private cars that don't meet the zone's emission standards pay the daily charge in Birmingham. Current charges: £8 per day for non-compliant cars, taxis and vans; £50 per day for non-compliant HGVs, buses and coaches.
When does the Birmingham Clean Air Zone operate?
The Birmingham zone operates 24/7 (all day, every day).
Is the Birmingham Clean Air Zone the same as London's ULEZ?
No — ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) is a London-only scheme. Birmingham has its own Clean Air Zone (Class D), with its own rules: Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) required for vehicles to enter without charge. People often search "ULEZ Birmingham", but the zone's correct name is the Birmingham Clean Air Zone.
Is the Birmingham Clean Air Zone a congestion charge?
No — a congestion charge applies to any vehicle driving in an area, regardless of emissions. The Birmingham Clean Air Zone only charges vehicles that don't meet the zone's emission standard (Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) required for vehicles to enter without charge.) — compliant and zero-emission vehicles enter free.