Birmingham Clean Air Zone: New 2026 Daily Charges and Exemptions
The daily charge for non-compliant private cars and taxis entering Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) has increased by 25%, rising from £8 to £10 as of today, May 11, 2026. While the fee for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and buses remains at £60, the Birmingham City Council update introduces significant changes to hardship exemptions and grace periods designed to assist low-income commuters and those transitioning to electric vehicles.
Updated Daily Charges for 2026
The following table outlines the updated fee structure for vehicles that do not meet the required emission standards (Euro 4 for petrol and Euro 6 for diesel).
| Vehicle Category | New Daily Charge (2026) |
|---|---|
| Private Cars | £10 |
| Taxis (Hackney & Private Hire) | £10 |
| Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) | £10 |
| Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) | £60 |
| Coaches and Buses | £60 |
It is important to note that these charges apply 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The daily window runs from midnight to midnight. If a non-compliant vehicle is driven within the zone across two days (e.g., entering at 11:00 PM and leaving at 1:00 AM), two separate daily charges may apply.
Boundary Details: The A4540 Middleway Ring Road
The Clean Air Zone is defined by the A4540 Middleway Ring Road. While the zone covers all roads within the ring road, the A4540 Middleway itself is not included in the charging zone. Drivers can navigate the ring road to bypass the city center without incurring a fee, provided they do not turn onto any road leading inside the perimeter. Key landmarks defining the boundary include the Jewellery Quarter, Digbeth, and the Chinese Quarter, all of which fall within the £10-a-day charging area.
New Hardship Exemptions and EV Grant Grace Periods
To mitigate the impact of the price increase, Birmingham City Council has introduced a new ‘hardship’ exemption category. This is specifically targeted at workers who earn less than £30,000 per annum and whose place of employment is located within the CAZ boundary. Applicants must provide proof of income and vehicle ownership to qualify for a 12-month waiver.
Additionally, residents who have officially applied for an Electric Vehicle (EV) grant through the Department for Transport or local council schemes are now eligible for an extended grace period. If you can demonstrate an active application or a pending delivery of a compliant vehicle, you may be exempt from charges for up to six months while awaiting your new car.
How to Manage Your CAZ Payments
Drivers have a six-day window to pay the charge: six days before the day of travel, on the day of travel, or six days after the day of travel. Failure to pay within this timeframe results in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
To avoid unexpected costs, commuters should use the official Department for Transport vehicle checker to confirm their compliance status. Applications for the new hardship exemptions must be submitted via the Birmingham City Council website with supporting financial documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Birmingham Clean Air Zone charge increasing to £10, and which vehicles are affected?
As of May 11, 2026, the daily fee for non-compliant private cars, taxis, and LGVs has risen from £8 to £10 to further accelerate the city’s air quality improvements. This affects any petrol vehicle older than Euro 4 (roughly pre-2006) and diesel vehicles older than Euro 6 (roughly pre-2015). Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and buses continue to face a much higher daily charge of £60 if they do not meet these emission standards.
How do I apply for the new 2026 hardship exemption if I work in the city center?
To qualify for the new exemption, you must earn less than £30,000 per year and have a registered workplace located inside the A4540 Middleway Ring Road. You can apply via the Birmingham City Council’s official CAZ portal. You will need to provide three pieces of evidence: a recent P60 or three months of payslips, a letter from your employer confirming your workplace address, and your vehicle registration document (V5C) to prove your car is non-compliant.
Will I be charged twice if I drive into the zone late at night and leave the next morning?
Yes, potentially. The Clean Air Zone operates on a midnight-to-midnight clock, not a 24-hour window from the time of entry. If you enter the zone at 11:00 PM and exit at 1:00 AM the following day, the system will record your presence on two separate dates, resulting in a £20 total charge for cars or £120 for HGVs. To avoid this, ensure your journey starts and ends within the same calendar day or use the A4540 Middleway ring road to bypass the interior zone.
What should I do if I have ordered an electric vehicle but it hasn’t been delivered yet?
Birmingham City Council has introduced an EV Grant Grace Period for this exact scenario. If you can provide proof of purchase or a lease agreement for a compliant electric vehicle with a pending delivery date, you can apply for a temporary exemption. This prevents you from paying the £10 daily fee while you wait for your new car to arrive. You must upload your order confirmation to the council’s ‘Clean Air Zone Exemptions’ page to activate this bridge period.
Can I drive on the A4540 Middleway Ring Road without paying the £10 charge?
Yes. The A4540 Middleway itself is not part of the charging zone. You can use the ring road to navigate around the city center, reaching areas like the Jewellery Quarter or Digbeth without paying, as long as you do not turn off the ring road into the inner city streets. Once you cross the boundary inward from the Middleway, your vehicle’s registration will be captured by ANR cameras and the daily charge will apply.
Source: Content Brain
