Bradford CAZ: Your Guide to Clean Air Zones

Bradford was introduced to their own Clean Air Zone (CAZ) back in September 2022.

Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) have been starting to get enforced in different cities across Britain. When speaking on Bradford specifically, they have only introduced a CAZ restriction, which is different from both a LEZ and a ULEZ.

The reason for the implementation of Clean Air Zones in cities across the UK is to tackle air pollutants caused by vehicles on the road, including particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Since then, there has been slight restrictions for specific drivers within the City of Bradford, that we will be covering here today.

What is a Clean Air Zone?

A Clean Air Zone is an area in which regulations are put in place to tackle air pollution caused by on-the-road vehicles.

The sole purpose of these areas is to improve public health and better the environment. This is achieved through restricting the types of vehicles that are driven within the CAZ vicinity.

Regarding the UK’s application of Clean Air Zone regulations, they are mostly the same across the board, with other cities in England such as Birmingham and Sheffield also having these rules in place.

The rules and penalties are mostly more lenient than LEZ and ULEZ.

Whilst Low Emission Zones and Ultra Low Emission Zones are technically Clean Air Zones, both LEZs and ULEZs are harsher in their policies and punishments upon breaking the rules put in place.

Cities like Dundee and Edinburgh face LEZ rules, whereas ULEZ is solely located in London as of right now.

For Bradford however, they face the lighter restrictions, with the city consisting of a large Clean Air Zone.

What UK Cities Have Clean Air Zones?

Fully enforced Clean Air Zones (LEZ, ULEZ, or CAZ) are located in:

• London ( mostly ULEZ since 2023)
• Aberdeen
• Glasgow
• Bath
• Edinburgh
• Portsmouth
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Sheffield
• Oxford
  
• Dundee

Where is the CAZ in Bradford?

See the below image to locate where the Clean Air Zone is located within Bradford.

Image credit:  City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

Bradford Clean Air Zone Rules

Since Bradford’s CAZ falls under the Class C+ category, it means that all passenger cars and motorbikes can still be driven with the designated areas.

So what it probably great news for many drivers in Bradford, you will not pay a single penny for breaking Clean Air Zone rules.

However, this does not apply to taxis and private hire vehicles, as well as light goods vehicles (LGVs), heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), buses, coaches, campervans, and motorhomes.

The minimum compliance requirements for these vehicles are as follows:

HGVs – Euro 6 diesel including alternative fuels

Buses – Euro 6 diesel including alternative fuels

Coaches – Euro 6 diesel

Minibuses – Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol, LPG (Euro 4 petrol)

LGVs – Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol, LPG (Euro 4 petrol)

Hackney carriages – Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol, LPG (Euro 4 petrol)

Private Hire Vehicles (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) – Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol, LPG (Euro 4 petrol)

Private Hire/ Minibus, 5-8 seats (Non Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) – Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol, LPG (Euro 4 petrol)

Campervans and Motorhomes – Euro 6 diesel, Euro 4 petrol, LPG (Euro 4 petrol)

Bradford CAZ Charges

If the above vehicles are driving in the CAZ and is non-compliant, the charge for each vehicle is:

HGVs – £50

Buses – £50

Coaches – £50

Minibuses – £9

LGVs – £9

Hackney carriages – £7

Private Hire Vehicles (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) – £7

Private Hire/ Minibus, 5-8 seats (Non Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) – £7

Campervans and Motorhomes – £9 up to 3.5 tonne, £50 over 3.5 tonne

CAZ Compliance Checker

Want to know if your vehicle is CAZ compliant? Enter your registration at gov.uk and find out today.