Sheffield Clean Air Zone (CAZ) - everything you need to know

Like the London Ultra Low Emission Zone and the Bristol Clean Air Zone, the CAZ in Shefield is designed to reduce the level of harmful emissions by charging drivers to enter parts of the city.

The Sheffield Clean Air Zone is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every month of the year. Managed by a network of ANPR cameras, the CAZ is operated by Sheffield City Council.

According to the City Council, air pollution contributes to 250-500 deaths a year in the city and older, polluting vehicles are one of major producers of harmful Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).

Introducing a clean air zone is one of the quickest ways to improve air quality and boost public health.

Sheffield City Council claims it is not aiming to make money from the CAZ, with funds raised from the charge going towards the upkeep of the zone and reducing air pollution in the city.

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Where is the Sheffield Clean Air Zone (CAZ)?

The Sheffield Clean Air Zone covers the city centre and includes the A61 ring road.

Castle Square, City Hall, and West Street are all within the CAZ, along with the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam.

The Sheffield Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is a Class C charging zone which means the following vehicles have the pay a daily fee:

• Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)
• Light goods vehicles (LGVs)
• Vans
• Buses
• Coaches
• Taxis.

Private cars and motorbikes are not charged to enter the Sheffield CAZ.

Vans and taxis will be charged unless they meet Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) emission standards while buses, coaches and HGVs are required to meet Euro 6 emission standards.

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If your vehicle does not meet the minimum Sheffield Clean Air Zone standard, you will have to pay a daily charge that is based on your vehicle type:

• £10 per day for vans/light goods vehicles (including motorhomes), taxis and private high vehicles
• £50 per day for coaches, buses and lorries/HGVs (including motorhomes)

Motorhome drivers can pay a discounted £10 entry (rather than the standard £50) to enter Sheffield’s CAZ.

To qualify for the motorhome discount, you must pay for each journey using the Sheffield Council website and pay in advance or up to 11:59pm on the day of travel.

Charges apply 24 hours a day (a day is midnight to midnight), seven days a week.

How to pay the Sheffield Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charge

You can pay the Sheffield Clean Air Zone charge up to six days before or on the day of travel. You can also pay up to 11:59pm on the sixth day, after driving in the Sheffield CAZ.

To pay the Sheffield Clean Air Zone, you will need to visit the Government Clean Air Zone website.

Will I be fined for not paying the Sheffield Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charge?

Failure to pay the Sheffield Clean Air Zone charge will result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £120, which is halved to £60 if paid within 14 days.

In addition to the PCN, you’ll also need to pay outstanding daily charge.

Your vehicle is exempt from the Sheffield Clean Air Zone (CAZ) if it meets one of the following requirements:

• Meets the required emission standards
• Is a private passenger car or motorbike
• Is nationally exempt from CAZ fees in the UK

The Sheffield Clean Air Zone also has some regional exemptions, which include:

• Land Rover Defenders. Most Defenders are classified as light goods vehicles, but you can apply for an exemption if you own a station wagon Defender with rear and side windows, and up to nine fixed seats (including the driver) with seat belts
• Community transport vehicles with a community transport permit. The permit lasts 12 months and excludes Hackney Carriages or private hire vehicle
• Non-commercial coaches and buses between 20 and 39 years of age 
• Classic or vintage emergency service vehicles used for demonstration and education purposes, over 20 years of age
• Hard to replace vehicles. The exemption applies for one year and must be renewed when it expires.
• Disabled adapted minibuses, buses or coaches. The vehicle must have a minimum of 10 seats (including the driver) and feature a specialist conversion to carry disabled passengers (such as entry lifts for wheelchairs and wheelchair anchor points)

How to apply for a Sheffield Clean Air Zone (CAZ) exemption

You will need to use the Sheffield City Council Taranto Permits Portal to apply for a local exemption or discount.

Applications should be made at 28 days before your date of travel. And you may be required to upload evidence (a copy of the V5 logbook or photos) to support your application.