Oxford Zero Emission Zone
Check whether your vehicle is charged in the Oxford ZEZ, what you’d pay, and find compliant cars for sale nearby.
Officially this is the Oxford Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ). It's also commonly searched as the Oxford clean air zone, Oxford low emission zone, Oxford ULEZ or Oxford congestion charge — all names for this same scheme. Note that Oxford is not part of London's ULEZ, and this is an emissions rule rather than a congestion charge.
In operation since February 2022
Is your car compliant in the Oxford ZEZ?
Enter your registration — free, instant, no sign-up. We’ll show your verdict for Oxford and every other UK Clean Air Zone and Low Emission Zone.
Oxford Zero Emission Zone explained
The Oxford Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) has been enforced since February 2022. Its charge area: Oxford city centre pilot area (a few central streets including New Road, Bonn Square, Queen Street, Cornmarket Street, New Inn Hall Street, Market Street, Ship Street, St Michael’s Street). The zone operates 7:00am – 7:00pm daily (charges apply during these hours).
Non-compliant cars pay £4/day to drive in the zone. In full: £2 – £10 per day currently (depending on vehicle emissions category), doubling from August 2025. Vehicles that meet the standard (Zero-emission vehicles (electric) pay £0; Ultra-low emission (<75g/km CO2) vehicles pay £2/day (to rise to £4 in Aug 2025); Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel vehicles pay £4/day (rising to £8 in 2025); more polluting vehicles pay £10/day (rising to £20 in 2025).) and all fully electric cars pay nothing.
To check whether your registration is charged, enter it in the free checker above — it shows your Oxford 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
£2 – £10 per day currently (depending on vehicle emissions category), doubling from August 2025.
Operating hours
7:00am – 7:00pm daily (charges apply during these hours)
Emission standards
Zero-emission vehicles (electric) pay £0; Ultra-low emission (<75g/km CO2) vehicles pay £2/day (to rise to £4 in Aug 2025); Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel vehicles pay £4/day (rising to £8 in 2025); more polluting vehicles pay £10/day (rising to £20 in 2025).
Penalties
£60 Penalty Charge Notice (reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days) for not paying the required ZEZ charge, increasing to £90 after 28 days.
Oxford Zero Emission Zone boundary & area
Oxford city centre pilot area (a few central streets including New Road, Bonn Square, Queen Street, Cornmarket Street, New Inn Hall Street, Market Street, Ship Street, St Michael’s Street).
Who is charged?
All petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles are charged in the ZEZ pilot zone (only 100% electric vehicles are exempt from charges).
Compliant in this zone
Cars for sale near Oxford (ZEZ Pilot)
These cars meet this zone's emission rules — no daily charge to drive in.
No compliant cars within ~30 miles of Oxford (ZEZ Pilot) right now.
Browse all compliant carsTowns covered
Iconic landmarks in the zone
- Carfax Tower
- Oxford Covered Market
- Cornmarket Street
Oxford Zero Emission Zone map
The map below shows the Oxford ZEZ 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 zoneBirmingham CAZ
£8/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 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 zoneOxford Zero Emission Zone FAQs
Is Carfax included in Oxford’s ZEZ?
Yes. The ZEZ pilot covers the streets meeting at Carfax (Cornmarket St and Queen St), so the Carfax Tower junction is within the Zero Emission Zone.
Is Oxford Railway Station in the ZEZ?
No. Oxford’s train station lies outside the ZEZ pilot area (the zone only covers a small section of the city centre streets).
How do I check if my car is charged in the Oxford Zero Emission Zone (Pilot)?
Enter your registration into the official government checker at gov.uk/clean-air-zones to see whether the Oxford zone applies to your vehicle. The zone's minimum emission standards are: Zero-emission vehicles (electric) pay £0; Ultra-low emission (<75g/km CO2) vehicles pay £2/day (to rise to £4 in Aug 2025); Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel vehicles pay £4/day (rising to £8 in 2025); more polluting vehicles pay £10/day (rising to £20 in 2025).
What happens if I drive in the Oxford zone and don't pay?
£60 Penalty Charge Notice (reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days) for not paying the required ZEZ charge, increasing to £90 after 28 days. Paying the daily charge on time avoids a Penalty Charge Notice.
Are any vehicles exempt from the Oxford Zero Emission Zone (Pilot)?
All petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles are charged in the ZEZ pilot zone (only 100% electric vehicles are exempt from charges). 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 Oxford zone?
Zero-emission vehicles (electric) pay £0; Ultra-low emission (<75g/km CO2) vehicles pay £2/day (to rise to £4 in Aug 2025); Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel vehicles pay £4/day (rising to £8 in 2025); more polluting vehicles pay £10/day (rising to £20 in 2025). 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 Oxford 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 Oxford-compliant cars in stock on this page.
Are private cars charged in the Oxford zone?
Yes — private cars that don't meet the zone's emission standards pay the daily charge in Oxford. Current charges: £2 – £10 per day currently (depending on vehicle emissions category), doubling from August 2025.
When does the Oxford Zero Emission Zone (Pilot) operate?
The Oxford zone operates 7:00am – 7:00pm daily (charges apply during these hours).
Is the Oxford Zero Emission Zone (Pilot) the same as London's ULEZ?
No — ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) is a London-only scheme. Oxford has its own Zero Emission Zone (Pilot), with its own rules: Zero-emission vehicles (electric) pay £0; Ultra-low emission (<75g/km CO2) vehicles pay £2/day (to rise to £4 in Aug 2025); Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel vehicles pay £4/day (rising to £8 in 2025); more polluting vehicles pay £10/day (rising to £20 in 2025). People often search "ULEZ Oxford", but the zone's correct name is the Oxford Zero Emission Zone (Pilot).
Is the Oxford Zero Emission Zone (Pilot) a congestion charge?
No — a congestion charge applies to any vehicle driving in an area, regardless of emissions. The Oxford Zero Emission Zone (Pilot) only charges vehicles that don't meet the zone's emission standard (Zero-emission vehicles (electric) pay £0; Ultra-low emission (<75g/km CO2) vehicles pay £2/day (to rise to £4 in Aug 2025); Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel vehicles pay £4/day (rising to £8 in 2025); more polluting vehicles pay £10/day (rising to £20 in 2025).) — compliant and zero-emission vehicles enter free.