Experts have warned about the confusion which could add to holiday costsNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)07:58, 03 Jun 2026Drivers heading off on UK staycations this summer are being warned they could be hit with unexpected Clean Air Zone fines simply for driving into the wrong city without realising. With families looking for cheaper alternatives to overseas holidays, motoring experts say many people are unknowingly driving into Clean Air Zones during weekend breaks and day trips, only discovering later when a fine lands through the post.‌Cities including Birmingham, Bath, Sheffield and Bristol all operate Clean Air Zones, where some older petrol and diesel vehicles face daily charges for entering certain areas. In Birmingham, non-compliant vehicles are charged £8 per day, while unpaid charges can lead to Penalty Charge Notices of £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.‌Mo Rafique, Vehicle Security Expert at Motor Guards, said: “A lot of people are driving into these cities for shopping trips, concerts, weekends away or family visits and don’t even realise they’ve entered a Clean Air Zone.”‌“Then weeks later, a fine arrives and they genuinely have no idea what it’s for.”Mo says summer is when the issue becomes far more common because people are travelling through unfamiliar cities far more frequently than usual, adding: "During summer, people are focused on fuel costs, hotels, parking and trying to keep trips affordable.‌“So the last thing they expect is an extra charge, or multiple fines, just for driving into a city centre for a few hours.”The expert says older diesel vehicles are still causing the biggest confusion for drivers. Mo said: “A lot of motorists assume their car is compliant because it passed its MOT or because it isn’t particularly old. But Clean Air Zones work off emissions standards, not what people think looks like a newer car. That catches a huge number of drivers out every year.”Mo also warned that sat nav systems and map apps don’t always make Clean Air Zones obvious, especially for drivers passing through unfamiliar areas, adding: "People trust their sat nav completely now. But most systems won’t actively warn you that you’re about to enter a chargeable Clean Air Zone, which is why so many drivers only realise afterwards.”‌Motor Guards says borrowing vehicles, hiring campervans or using second family cars during summer holidays can increase the risk further if drivers haven’t checked the vehicle properly beforehand. The company is urging motorists to check their registration online before travelling this summer, particularly before visiting major UK cities.Mo added: “For a lot of families, summer budgets are already stretched enough as it is. So picking up a £60 fine after a weekend away can feel incredibly frustrating, especially when people genuinely didn’t realise the rules applied.”‌Across the UK, several towns and cities have introduced Clean Air Zones (CAZ), Low Emission Zones (LEZ), or Zero Emission Zones (ZEZ). Whether you are charged depends heavily on the type of vehicle you drive. Only a few cities charge drivers of standard, private petrol and diesel cars; most target commercial vehicles like taxis, vans, buses, and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).The specific UK towns and cities with active charging zones are categorized below by what types of vehicles trigger a fee.Zones that Charge Private Cars & Commercial VehiclesIf your private petrol or diesel vehicle does not meet modern emission standards (typically Euro 4 for petrol and Euro 6 for diesel), you will be charged a daily fee to drive in these zones:‌London (ULEZ): The Ultra Low Emission Zone covers almost all of Greater London. Non-compliant cars, motorcycles, and vans face a daily charge of £12.50. (Note: London also operates a separate Congestion Charge in the city centre for traffic management, and a LEZ that applies to heavy commercial vehicles.)Bristol: A Class D zone covering the city centre. Non-compliant private cars, taxis, and vans are charged £9 per day, while HGVs and buses face £100.Birmingham: A Class D zone covering all roads inside the Middleway Ring Road. Non-compliant private cars, taxis, and vans pay £8 per day; buses and HGVs pay £50.Oxford (ZEZ): Oxford operates a unique Zero Emission Zone in the city centre. Unlike other zones, all non-electric vehicles (even modern, clean petrols and diesels) are charged between £2 and £10 per day depending on their emission levels.Zones that Only Charge Commercial Vehicles (Private Cars Exempt)In these cities, standard private passenger cars and motorcycles are entirely exempt from charges. However, older, non-compliant taxis, vans, buses, and HGVs will be charged:Bath (Class C): Charges vans, pick-ups, and taxis (£9), and heavy commercial vehicles (£100).Bradford (Class C): Charges taxis (£7), vans (£9), and coaches/HGVs (£50).Sheffield (Class C): Charges taxis and vans (£10), and buses/HGVs (£50).Tyneside - Newcastle and Gateshead (Class C): Charges taxis and vans (£12.50), and HGVs/buses (£50).Portsmouth (Class B): A more limited zone that charges non-compliant taxis (£10) and HGVs/buses (£50). Vans are exempt here.Article continues belowScotland’s Low Emission Zones (Fines, Not Charges)Scotland handles emissions zones differently. In Scottish cities, you cannot pay a fee to enter if your vehicle is non-compliant. Instead, entering the zone with an older, non-compliant vehicle results in an automatic £60 penalty fine (which doubles with subsequent offenses). These restrictions apply to all vehicle types, including private cars