This introduced daily charges for older, more polluting vehicles driven in the city centre and harbourside area.
This page gives advice to staff and students on how CAZ might affect their commuting and other private car journeys, and the exemptions and other support available from the council.
Separate guidance is being provided to schools and departments that operate university fleet vehicles. Please contact uob-fleet@bristol.ac.uk if you think your departmental vehicle(s) may be affected by the CAZ and we have not been in touch.
When charges apply and how to pay
Charges for the zone apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Non-compliant vehicles will only be charged once in each 24-hour period which runs from midnight to midnight.
Charges must be paid via www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones or by calling the Clean Air Zone support line on 0300 029 8888 (Monday to Friday: 8am to 7pm, Saturday: 8am to 2pm). You can pay up to six days before until six days after you enter the zone.
You will see signage around the boundary to let you know you have entered the zone, but you will not receive any notification to let you know that you are in the zone or if you need to pay a charge. It is your responsibility to manage any payments.
Users of university car parks on Clifton campus should pay special attention as the alignment of the CAZ boundary means daily charges will apply to non-compliant vehicles using some car parks e.g. Old Park Hill, but not others (subject to the access route taken).
Check your vehicle(s)
Many vehicles that drive through the zone area are already compliant. People should check whether their vehicle will be charged by using the government’s online vehicle checker. This is especially important if you are applying for a temporary exemption.
Applying for an exemption
If you will be charged, there are some specific exemptions available, for example for Blue Badge holders.
Visit the Bristol City Council website for the full list of exemption criteria as well as other information about the zone.
More about the Clean Air Zone
You can find out more about the Clean Air Zone on the Bristol City Council website.
If you have any further queries, please contact cazsupport@bristol.gov.uk or call 0117 903 6385.
