Bath Clean Air Zone: Everything You Need to Know
Find Out What the Bath Clean Air Zone is, Who it Affects and What Parts of the City It Covers
If you live in or around Bath, or regularly drive into the city, you need to be aware of the Bath Clean Air Zone (CAZ). These regulations came into effect on 15th March 2021 and affect drivers differently based on the type of vehicle they drive.
Find out all you need to know about the Bath Clean Air Zone in this article, include how much the Bath Clean Air Zone charge is, where the Bath emissions zone is, and how you can check your vehicle to ensure you are compliant.
What is the Bath Clean Air Zone?
Several places in Bath currently exceed the legal limit for Nitrogen Dixode (NO2) and combustion vehicles are the main cause of these emissions. NO2 emissions cause poor air quality that can lead to thousands of excess urban deaths every year.
The Bath Clean Air Zone restricts access to the city centre for the most polluting vehicles. To encourage drivers of these vehicles to switch to a cleaner mode of transport, they have to pay a charge to drive in the zone.
As well as the CAZ, the local council is also looking at other ways to reduce NO2 output. These focus on encouraging more drivers to walk, cycle or use public transport for shorter, cross-city journeys instead of driving.
The Bath Clean Air Zone was originally scheduled for November 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed it to March 2021.
Where is the Bath Clean Air Zone?
The Bath Clean Air Zone covers most of the city centre, as shown on the map below.
What Vehicles Will Be Charged to Drive in the Bath Clean Air Zone (And Which Are Exempt?)
The Bath Clean Air Zone is a Class C CAZ. This means that the following vehicles are charged if they don’t meet the relevant emissions standards (in brackets):
- Buses (Euro VI)
- Coaches (Euro VI)
- Taxis (Euro 4 if petrol, Euro 6 if diesel)
- Private Hire Vehicles (Euro 4 if petrol, Euro 6 if diesel)
- HGVs (Heavy Goods Vehicles) (Euro VI)
- Vans (Euro 4 if petrol, Euro 6 if diesel)
- Minibuses (Euro 4 if petrol, Euro 6 if diesel)
You can drive petrol or diesel cars, motorcycles and mopeds in the Bath Clean Air Zone without charge. Fully electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles are automatically exempt as they don't produce any exhaust emissions.
As well as the national exemptions, there are a few local exemptions. As per Bath and North East Somerset Council, the following vehicles don't have to pay to drive in the CAZ:
- Motorcaravans classed M1 on the V5C
- Hard to replace vehicles, such as agricultural vehicles and recovery vehicles
- Emergency service and health vehicles
- Wheelchair accessible taxis and private hire vehicles
- Community transport
- Blue Badge holders
- Community health, education and social care workers
- Some upgraded vehicles
You can also apply for a discount if you drive certain types of larger motorhomes and horse transporters.
You can find more details about these exemptions, as well as how to register for them, on the Bath and North East Somerset Council website.
What are the Charges to Drive in the CAZ?
If your vehicle doesn’t meet the relevant emissions standards, you have to pay the following charge:
£9 per day for taxis, private hire vehicles, minibuses, vans, pick-ups, some campervans and 4X4s and LGVs (Light Goods Vehicles)
£100 per day for coaches, buses and HGVs
£9 per day for private HGVS registered with the local council.
You must pay to drive through the Bath Clean Air Zone either:
Up to 6 days before the day of your visit
The day of your visit
Up to 6 days after the day of your visit
You won’t be notified if you have driven through the Bath Clean Air Zone. As a driver, it is your responsibility to know whether your car meets the emissions standard and then to pay the right charge if necessary. If you fail to pay the charge within the 13 day allocated window, you will be subject to a £120 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). You can reduce this to £60 if you pay it within 14 days.
You can pay the charge online. If you pay to drive through the CAZ in advance but decide not to enter on that day, you can also apply for a refund.
What Time is the Bath Clean Air Zone Enforced?
The CAZ is enforced 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You are subject to a daily charge if your vehicle doesn't meet the right emissions standard but you only need to pay once per day. This then allows you to drive in the zone without limit.
The charges apply from midnight to midnight, not 24 hours from when you enter the zone. For example, if you enter the CAZ at 11:59 pm one day, drive through it and then reenter at 12:30 am, you must pay for 2 days.
How Can I Check If I Will Be Charged To Drive in the Bath Clean Air Zone?
The UK Government provides a free online checker to help you find out if you will be charged for driving through the Bath Clean Air Zone. You should check your vehicle’s compliance regularly, even if you have driven through similar zones in other cities.
The restrictions differ depending on the class of CAZ. This means you may be charged in the Birmingham Clean Air Zone, but aren't charged in Bath.
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