Portsmouth's Clean Air Zone 2026 Doesn't Charge Private Cars
Clean Air Zone (Class B) · United Kingdom · Active since 2021
Source: official source · Verified: 2026-07-24
Portsmouth's Clean Air Zone (Class B) restricts older, more polluting vehicles from entering the zone. Diesel vehicles must meet at least Euro 6 standard. A CAZ compliant is required (cost: GBP 10/day (taxi/bus)). Fine for non-compliance: GBP 120. Electric vehicles are exempt.
Locally the zone is called Clean Air Zone Portsmouth (United Kingdom) — that is the wording on the boundary signs, on the official portal and on any penalty notice, so it is the phrase to search for once you are there.
Next
- Check your own car against Portsmouth — enter your fuel and Euro class, get a yes or no in one step.
- Oxford has a zone too — the nearest one to Portsmouth, and the rules are not identical.
- If a fine arrives after you get home — who pays on a hire car, and what is actually enforceable across borders.
Practical answers for Portsmouth
- When is the Portsmouth zone active?
- 24/7 That means there is no free window — the restriction applies on Sundays and public holidays too.
- How much does it cost to drive into Portsmouth?
- GBP 10/day (taxi/bus) · CAZ compliant Get it wrong and the penalty is GBP 120.
- Do I need to register or buy anything first?
- CAZ compliant
- Who is exempt in Portsmouth?
- Electric vehicles, Disabled tax class vehicles, Military vehicles and Historic vehicles (1977 or older). Exemptions are usually not automatic — most require registering your number plate in advance.
Portsmouth Clean Air Zone (Class B) Map
Interactive map of the zone location — zoom in to see the streets around the marker, and confirm the exact boundary signs on arrival.
Requirements
Who pays in a hire car, whether insurance covers it, and how to appeal.
Can My Vehicle Enter Portsmouth?
Select your fuel type and Euro emission class to check instantly.
Exemptions
Driving Guide: United Kingdom
Speed limits, traffic rules, and equipment requirements for United Kingdom.
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Portsmouth’s Clean Air Zone is a Class B scheme, and that classification matters: private cars, motorcycles and vans are not charged at all here, whatever their age or Euro standard. The zone instead targets the vehicle categories Class B schemes cover nationally — older non-compliant taxis, buses, coaches and HGVs — which face a £120 daily charge if they fall below the required standard. Electric vehicles and other exempt categories, including historic vehicles registered in 1977 or earlier, pay nothing regardless.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Zone type | CAZ |
| City | Portsmouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sticker / registration | CAZ compliant |
| Sticker cost | GBP 10/day (taxi/bus) |
| Fine | GBP 120 |
| Diesel minimum | Euro 6 |
| Operating hours | 24/7 |
| Active since | 2021 |
Can your car enter Portsmouth caz?
Enter your vehicle's fuel + Euro class → instant verdict for Portsmouth caz (CAZ). Fine if wrong: GBP 120.
Portsmouth Emission Zone
The Clean Air Zone (Class B) (CAZ) in Portsmouth, United Kingdom has been active since 2021. This zone restricts vehicles that do not meet minimum emission standards.
Who Can Enter?
- Petrol vehicles: Must meet at least Euro 0 standard
- Diesel vehicles: Must meet at least Euro 6 standard
- Electric vehicles: Always allowed (exempt)
- Plug-in hybrids: Generally allowed
Sticker & Registration
You need: CAZ compliant. Cost: GBP 10/day (taxi/bus).
Enforcement
ANPR camera network. Operating hours: 24/7.
Fine for Non-Compliance
Driving in the Clean Air Zone (Class B) without meeting the requirements will result in a fine of GBP 120.
Recent changes to this page
- Title, description and introduction rewritten from this page's own data (no shared template wording).
- Re-verified fine (GBP 120) and requirements against United Kingdom authority portal.
- Confirmed CAZ compliant remains mandatory; 2026 ruleset unchanged.
- Updated enforcement procedure notes after seasonal review cycle.
Part of the TyreMap Emission-Zone Dataset — 596 verified European emission zones, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Clean Air Zone (Class B) in Portsmouth requires: CAZ compliant. Minimum Euro standard is Euro 0 for petrol and Euro 6 for diesel vehicles.
The fine for driving in Portsmouth's Clean Air Zone (Class B) without the required sticker or with a non-compliant vehicle is GBP 120.
Yes, electric vehicles (BEVs) and most plug-in hybrids are exempt from emission zone restrictions in Portsmouth.