Motoring Today
Clean Air Zone (CAZ)

Portsmouth Clean Air Zone

Check whether your vehicle is charged in the Portsmouth CAZ, what you’d pay, and find compliant cars for sale nearby.

Officially this is the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone (CAZ). It's also commonly searched as the Portsmouth low emission zone, Portsmouth ULEZ or Portsmouth congestion charge — all names for this same scheme. Note that Portsmouth is not part of London's ULEZ, and this is an emissions rule rather than a congestion charge.

Private cars not chargedEnglandClass B

In operation since November 2021

Is your car compliant in the Portsmouth CAZ?

Enter your registration — free, instant, no sign-up. We’ll show your verdict for Portsmouth and every other UK Clean Air Zone and Low Emission Zone.

Portsmouth Clean Air Zone explained

The Portsmouth Clean Air Zone (CAZ), a Class B zone, has been enforced since November 2021. Its charge area: South-west Portsmouth (Portsea Island) – from the M275 entrance into the city south to Winston Churchill Avenue, including the Gunwharf Quays area. The zone operates 24/7 (all day, every day).

Private cars and motorcycles are not charged in the Portsmouth zone. Charges apply only to older, non-compliant taxis, vans, buses, coaches and HGVs: £10 per day for non-compliant taxis and private hire vehicles; £50 per day for non-compliant HGVs, buses and coaches.

To check whether your registration is charged, enter it in the free checker above — it shows your Portsmouth verdict alongside every other UK Clean Air Zone and LEZ. If you drive a private car or motorcycle there is nothing to pay.

Portsmouth Clean Air Zone

Daily charges

£10 per day for non-compliant taxis and private hire vehicles; £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 taxis, PHVs, buses, coaches, HGVs to avoid charges.

Penalties

£120 Penalty Charge Notice (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days) for non-payment of the CAZ charge.

Portsmouth Clean Air Zone boundary & area

South-west Portsmouth (Portsea Island) – from the M275 entrance into the city south to Winston Churchill Avenue, including the Gunwharf Quays area.

Who is charged?

Private cars and light vans are not charged in Portsmouth’s CAZ. Only non-compliant taxis, private hires, buses, coaches, and HGVs are subject to charges.

Compliant in this zone

Cars for sale near Portsmouth

These cars meet this zone's emission rules — no daily charge to drive in.

Nissan Qashqai
Good price

Nissan Qashqai

2016 N-connecta Dci

DieselManual76,199 mi2016
Band B · £20/yr
£155/mo
£6,795
cash

Durnford Motors·4.5 (181)· Southampton· 14 mi

Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Fair price

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

2018 A 180 D Sport Edition

DieselManual72,880 mi2018
£200/yr
£216/mo
£9,295
cash

Durnford Motors·4.5 (181)· Southampton· 14 mi

Ford Focus
Fair price

Ford Focus

2014 Zetec S Tdci

DieselManual87,270 mi2014
Band B · £20/yr
£119/mo
£4,495
cash

Durnford Motors·4.5 (181)· Southampton· 14 mi

Honda Civic
Fair price

Honda Civic

2018 Vtec Sr

PetrolManual47,764 mi2018
£200/yr
£244/mo
£10,495
cash

Durnford Motors·4.5 (181)· Southampton· 14 mi

Peugeot 2008
Fair price

Peugeot 2008

2018 Active

PetrolManual54,162 mi2018
£200/yr
£145/mo
£5,995
cash

Durnford Motors·4.5 (181)· Southampton· 14 mi

Audi A1
Fair price

Audi A1

2018 Sportback Tfsi Sport Nav

PetrolManual62,911 mi2018
£200/yr
£221/mo
£9,495
cash

Durnford Motors·4.5 (181)· Southampton· 14 mi

Dacia Sandero
Above market

Dacia Sandero

2019 Essential Sce

PetrolManual49,402 mi2019
£200/yr
£124/mo
£5,495
cash

Durnford Motors·4.5 (181)· Southampton· 14 mi

Towns covered

Portsmouth (City Centre/Portsea)

Iconic landmarks in the zone

  • Spinnaker Tower
  • Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
  • Gunwharf Quays

Portsmouth Clean Air Zone map

The map below shows the Portsmouth CAZ charge area. For the legally definitive boundary, always cross-check the official source before you travel.

Driving elsewhere?

Other UK Clean Air Zones

Portsmouth Clean Air Zone FAQs

Is Gunwharf Quays in the Portsmouth CAZ?

Yes. The Gunwharf Quays area and nearby Portsmouth Harbour are within the Clean Air Zone.

Is Southsea in the Portsmouth CAZ?

No. Southsea (the southern part of Portsea Island) is outside the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone boundary.

How do I check if my car is charged in the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone?

Enter your registration into the official government checker at gov.uk/clean-air-zones to see whether the Portsmouth zone applies to your vehicle. The zone's minimum emission standards are: Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) required for taxis, PHVs, buses, coaches, HGVs to avoid charges.

What happens if I drive in the Portsmouth zone and don't pay?

£120 Penalty Charge Notice (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days) for non-payment of the CAZ charge. Paying the daily charge on time avoids a Penalty Charge Notice.

Are any vehicles exempt from the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone?

Private cars and light vans are not charged in Portsmouth’s CAZ. Only non-compliant taxis, private hires, buses, coaches, and HGVs are subject to 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 Portsmouth zone?

Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) required for taxis, PHVs, buses, coaches, HGVs to avoid charges. 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 Portsmouth zone?

Most petrol cars registered after 2006 (Euro 4) and diesel cars registered after September 2015 (Euro 6) are compliant, and private cars are not charged in the Portsmouth zone anyway. Motoring Today checks ULEZ/CAZ compliance on every listing and shows Portsmouth-compliant cars in stock on this page.

Are private cars charged in the Portsmouth zone?

No — the Portsmouth zone does not charge private cars. It applies to vehicles such as buses, coaches, taxis and HGVs: Private cars and light vans are not charged in Portsmouth’s CAZ. Only non-compliant taxis, private hires, buses, coaches, and HGVs are subject to charges.

When does the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone operate?

The Portsmouth zone operates 24/7 (all day, every day).

Is the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone the same as London's ULEZ?

No — ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) is a London-only scheme. Portsmouth has its own Clean Air Zone (Class B), with its own rules: Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) required for taxis, PHVs, buses, coaches, HGVs to avoid charges. People often search "ULEZ Portsmouth", but the zone's correct name is the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone.

Is the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone a congestion charge?

No — a congestion charge applies to any vehicle driving in an area, regardless of emissions. The Portsmouth Clean Air Zone only charges vehicles that don't meet the zone's emission standard (Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) required for taxis, PHVs, buses, coaches, HGVs to avoid charges.) — compliant and zero-emission vehicles enter free.

Check your car & find a compliant one