NEWCASTLE CLEAN AIR ZONE
There's a new in Newcastle! Here's everything you need to know.
What is the Newcastle Clean Air Zone?
In 2017, the UK government issued a legal direction which required councils in Newcastle & Gateshead to take quick action to reduce illegal levels of traffic-related pollution in certain areas. In order to achieve this, local authorities have approved plans for a phased introduction of a Newcastle & Gateshead's Clean Air Zone (CAZ). The CAZ, which is now live, means that all commercial and private-hire non-compliant vehicles will charged a daily fee to enter the zone.
Why does Newcastle & Gateshead need a Clean Air Zone?
"Reducing the number of older, more polluting vehicles on our roads is one way that we can help to improve our air quality and protect our health." - Councillor John McElroy, cabinet member for the environment and transport at Gateshead Council
The CAZ has been introduced to encourage those driving older, more polluting vehicles to upgrade to cleaner models. Cameras are used to monitor vehicles entering the zone, so make sure you pay the charge in Caura if you need to!. Charging has now started for non-compliant taxis, private hire vehicles, buses, coaches and HGVs. However, non-compliant vans and LGVs will not face charges until July 2023 to allow extra time for vehicle replacements, which are currently affected by a national supply shortage.
If you drive a private car or motorcycle, you do not have to pay a charge.
For all commercial & private hire vehicles, you don't have to pay a charge if your vehicle meets the following emission standards:
- Taxis: Euro 6 for diesel (typically after September 2015), Euro 4 for petrol (typically after 2005)
- Vans & LGVs: Euro 6 for diesel (typically after September 2016), Euro 4 for petrol (typically after January 2006)
- HGVs, buses & coaches: Euro VI (typically after 2014)
What you need to know
Newcastle & Gateshead is a Class C Zone, meaning buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses & LGVs are all included in the charge.
Newcastle & Gateshead CAZ operating times
The Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All year round.
When will charging start for the Newcastle Clean Air Zone
Charing for non-compliant taxis, private hire vehicles, buses, coaches and HGVs has started from 30 January 2023.
Non-compliant vans and LGVs will not face charges until July 2023 to allow extra time for vehicle replacements, which are currently affected by a national supply shortage.
How much is the Newcastle Clean Air Zone charge?
The charge you need to pay is dependant on your vehicle type. Taxis, minibuses and vans need to pay a £12.50 fee whereas private HGVs, trucks, lorries, coaches and buses have to pay a £50 fee. Private cars and motorcycles are exempt from this charge.
Charges apply daily, so if you're entering and exiting the zone multiple times on the same day, you will only need to pay once.
But, if you drive in the zone across two days, for example before midnight and after midnight, you'll need to pay two daily charges.
Fines for the Newcastle & Gateshead CAZ
If you forget to pay the fee, you’ll get a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) in the post for a £120 fine. This is reduced to £60 if you pay it within 14 days.
Newcastle & Gateshead CAZ charge exemptions
There are two types of exemptions:
- National exemptions - agreed by the Government and apply to all Clean Air Zones
- Local exemptions - agreed by the council for the Clean Air Zone in their area.
National exemptions - these exemptions are automatic and you don't need to apply for them.
- Disabled tax class or disabled passenger tax class
- Certain types of agricultural vehicles
- Historic vehicles
- Military vehicles
- Ultra low emission vehicles
- Vehicles retrofitted with technology accredited by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS)
Local exemptions - if your vehicle falls under any of these categories, you will need to apply for exemption via the Newcastle City Council website.
- Emergency vehicles for example: police vehicles, fire engines, ambulances and health service vehicles, mine rescue vehicles, lifeboat vehicles. (Permanent exemption)
- Agricultural or similar vehicles for example: tractors, mowing machines, steam powered vehicles, snow ploughs, gritters, road rollers, digging machines, mobile cranes, mobile pumping vehicles. (Permanent exemption)
- Showmen's Guild vehicles for example: rigid lorry, tractor unit, caravan based on a twin axle, living van. (Permanent exemption)
- Non-commercial vintage buses. (Permanent exemption)
- Motor caravans for example: Class L vehicles under the Road User Charging and Workplace Parking Levy (Classes of Motor vehicles) (England) Regulations 2001. (Permanent exemption)
- Bus and HGV training vehicles. (Permanent exemption)
- Vehicles awaiting retrofit or replacement vehicle for example: HGV, flatbed lorry, tankers, refrigerated trucks. (This exemption will be for one-year from the retrofit or replacement vehicle order, or when work is completed or the new vehicle is supplied)
- Financed vehicles: This covers taxis and private hire vehicles, registered in Newcastle, Gateshead or North Tyneside, along with commercial vehicles registered to businesses based within the boundaries of the Clean Air Zone. (This exemption will last until the date of the last finance payment or two years from the start date of the Clean Air Zone)
- Vehicles registered to businesses located within the CAZ. (This exemption will last for two years from the start date of the Clean Air Zone, and is limited to a maximum of two per company)
- Community transport vehicles. (This exemption will last for one year from the start of the Clean Air Zone.)
- Wheelchair accessible taxis and private hire vehicles. (This exemption will last for two years from the start of the Clean Air Zone.)
- Non-compliant resident vehicles. (This exemption will last for two years from the start of the Clean Air Zone. These exemptions are limited to a maximum of two per property.)
- Emergency Rail Replacement Vehicles. (These exemptions are variable, short-term exemptions which will only be available when the work is unplanned due to an unforeseen emergency.
Is there any support available?
If your vehicle is one of the above types and it does not meet the Clean Air Zone emissions requirements, you can apply for funding to help replace or upgrade it. Applications can be made online via the Newcastle City Council website.
Funding for the grants has been provided by government and the following amounts have been agreed for each vehicle type:
- Taxis, including Hackney carriage and private hire vehicles – up to £3,500
- Wheelchair accessible taxis, including Hackney Carriage and private hire vehicles – up to £4,000
- Light goods vehicles – up to £4,500
- Heavy goods vehicles – up to £16,000
- Buses and coaches – up to £16,000
The funding can be used to help purchase a compliant vehicle, either new or second hand, to replace one that does not meet the emissions standards (Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 petrol). This can include minibus replacement where the vehicle is licensed as a taxi or where a community transport permit or operator’s licence is in place.
Pay your clean air charges in seconds
How much of Newcastle & Gateshead does the zone cover?
The Clean Air Zone includes most of Newcastle city centre, as well as routes over the Tyne, Swing, High Level and Redheugh bridges.
How do I know if I'm about to drive into the CAZ?
As you drive towards Newcastle city centre, you’ll start to see CAZ signs. The signs will have a symbol with the Letter C, showing the Clean Air Zone class.
Newcastle CAZ charge, sorted in Caura
Caura makes paying for Clean Air Zones simple.
Once you enter your vehicle registration number in-app, you'll be able to see if your vehicle is exempt from the charge or not. If it's not, Caura will tell you exactly how much you need to pay, and from there you can pay in just two taps. Receipts are also stored in-app, and can be exported to your email if you need it.
Caura makes car admin a breeze
Whether you're managing just one vehicle or multiple vehicles, add them all to the same account and keep all your car admin from MOT to tax renewals in-app. Doing it this way means you'll never miss a renewal again!
Plus, looking to renew your car insurance policy? Get competitive car insurance quotes from market-leading insurers in under a minute! Easy.
Questions?
Find answers to common questions here. If you can't find what you're looking for then email us on support@caura.com and we'll get back to you.
My account
Do I have to sign up to access Caura?
Yes. To enjoy the benefits of Caura, like timely reminders for tax and insurance, and ultrafast city charge and toll payments, you’ll need to create an account. This is so we can let you know about important expiry dates and booking details.
Can I change the email address I use for Caura?
You can’t currently change your email address on Caura (but we are working on it). As a workaround, you can log out of your current account and sign up with a new email address. We won’t be able to transfer the history over.
What happens if I forget my account credentials?
Easily done. Just tap ‘Forgot Password’ on the Log In screen - we’ll send you a password reset link via your registered email address. If you used your Google or Apple profile details (instead of an email address) to create your account, you’ll need to continue to use this sign-in method.
My account has been suspended, why?
Your account may be suspended as a precaution if we see evidence of fraud or a violation of our terms of service. Please email support@caura.com or send us a message in-app, and we can investigate this with you.
How do I delete my account?
Please email support@caura.com or send us a message in-app, and we can take care of that for you. Please feel free to let us know why you want to leave, as we’re always working to improve Caura for drivers like you.
Managing vehicles
How do I add or remove vehicles from my account?
To add a vehicle, simply swipe to the left on your current vehicle or tap the ‘+’ icon on the Home screen. To remove a vehicle, tap and hold on the vehicle image.
My vehicle cannot be found when I add my number plate, why not?
All vehicles registered with the DVLA should show on Caura. Please make sure you are entering a valid number plate recognised by the DVLA. If the problem persists please email support@caura.com.
Why can’t I see my updated vehicle details (e.g. tax, MOT) on Caura?
If you have made the update on Caura (e.g. paid for tax on Caura), it should update automatically within a few days. If it doesn't, you can pull down the image of your vehicle from the Home screen, which will refresh the app.
Managing payment methods
How do I add or remove a payment method?
You can add, remove and set your default payment method via the Payment Methods screen, accessed via the Account tab. To remove a payment method, swipe it to the left. To set a payment method as the default option, swipe it to the right.
What if I need to change my AutoPay payment method?
Go to your AutoPay account in-app (by going to the City Charges screen). From your AutoPay account, tap the current payment method selected. You can then choose to change your payment method tied to your AutoPay, either select an existing payment method or add a new card to Caura.
City Charges
What is a Clean Air Zone charge?
Clean Air Zones are coming soon to many UK cities, helping our air stay fresh for future generations. All vehicles are allowed in CAZ zones – but if their emissions are above a certain level, they’ll have to pay to pass through.
You can learn more about different Clean Air Zones and the charges in place here.
Which cities have Clean Air Zones?
You can find details of all active and planned Clean Air Zones here.
What Clean Air Zones can I pay for on Caura?
Currently, you can pay for Birmingham’s Class D Clean Air Zone charge, as well as the London Ultra Low Emission Zone charge and the Oxford Zero Emission Zone charge, in two-taps on Caura.
We’re working hard to bring more Clean Air Zones to Caura very soon. We’ll notify users via email or in-app notification when new zones launch, as well as communicate this on social media. In the meantime, if there is a charge payment you really want to see on Caura, let us know by emailing support@caura.com (it may just be what we focus on next!).
What do the different types of Clean Air Zones mean?
There are four types (class) of Clean Air Zone. The class of Clean Air Zone dictates which vehicles have to pay for entering the zone.
For each of the class types, the following non-compliant vehicle types have to pay:
- Class A: buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles
- Class B: buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and heavy goods vehicles
- Class C: buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans and minibuses
- Class D: buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses and cars, and the local authority has the option to include motorcycles too
How do I know if I have to pay the Clean Air Zone?
Please refer to the class type of the Clean Air Zone to understand which vehicle types have to pay.
You will also be able to see exactly what you have to pay for a given Clean Air Zone, based on your vehicle’s type and emissions.
The Clean Air Zones use ANPR cameras to automatically detect your vehicle when you drive into the charging zone. Look out for signs that clearly indicate the boundary of the zone.
If you try to pay for a charge that you're exempt from then Caura will not process the transaction, and you will not be charged.
What days can I pay the Clean Air Zone charges for on Caura?
Currently, you can pay for either today, tomorrow or yesterday in-app on Caura. Make sure you pay for the right date for any trips you make, as we’re unable to offer a refund for any payments made for the wrong day by mistake.
Does Caura charge an additional fee?
Caura charges no additional fee to pay for any Clean Air Zone, or to make any other transaction via the app. We don’t take any of the money for your payment and once it’s made it goes straight to the end provider.
What happens if I pay for the wrong day?
If you’ve paid for the wrong day, unfortunately we aren’t able to offer a refund. We don’t take any of the money for your payment and once it’s made it goes straight to the end provider. We’re unable to recover funds so we aren’t able to offer a refund. If you paid for a charge unnecessarily then you can request a refund from the zone operator, referencing the transaction ID on your payment receipt in the Caura app.
Where can I view my payment receipts in Caura?
You can view any payments you’ve made by going to the History tab in Caura. Tap on any payment in the list to view more detail. From there, you can even export a receipt to your email.
Newcastle & Gateshead Clean Air Zone
What is the Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone?
The CAZ will see commercial and private-hire non-compliant vehicles charged a daily fee to enter the zone. You can read more about the charge CAZ charge here.
Where is the Newcastle and Gateshead CAZ?
The Clean Air Zone includes most of Newcastle City Centre as well as routes over the Tyne, Swing, High Level and Redheugh bridges. View a map of the Newcastle & Gateshead Clean Air Zone here.
What times does the Newcastle and Gateshead CAZ apply?
The charges apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All year round.
How much is the Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone?
Taxis, minibuses and vans need to pay a £12.50 fee.
Private HGVs, trucks, lorries, coaches and buses have to pay a £50 fee.
Private cars and motorcycles are exempt from this charge.
Are there any discounts and exemptions?
There are quite a few exemptions to the charge. You can find a full list of all the categories exempt from the charge here. National exemptions will be applied automatically. However, any local exemptions must be applied for via the Newcastle City Council website.
Is there any support available?
If your vehicle is one of the above types and it does not meet the Clean Air Zone emissions requirements, you can apply for funding to help replace or upgrade it. Applications can be made online via the Newcastle City Council website. Read more about the support available here
Will I get fined if I don't pay the Newcastle CAZ charge?
If you forget to pay the fee, you’ll get a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) in the post for a £120 fine. This is reduced to £60 if you pay it within 14 days.
Is the Newcastle CAZ live?
The Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone is not live yet.
Non-compliant taxis, private hire vehicles, buses, coaches and HGVs will only be charged from 30 January 2023.
Non-compliant vans and LGVs will not face charges until July 2023.
Does Caura charge an additional fee?
Caura charges no additional fee to pay for the Newcastle and Gateshead CAZ, or to make any other transaction via the app. We don’t take any of the money for your payment and once it’s made it goes straight to the end provider.
What happens if I pay for the wrong day?
If you’ve paid for the wrong day, unfortunately we aren’t able to offer you a refund. Caura doesn’t take any of the money for your payment and once it’s made, it goes straight to the end provider. We’re unable to recover funds so we aren’t able to offer a refund.
Where can I view my payment receipts in Caura?
You can view any payments you’ve made by going to the History tab in Caura. Tap on any payment in the list to view more detail. From there, you can even export a receipt to your email.