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Driven through Oxford ZEZ? Caura is the quickest way to pay.
Download the app, enter your number plate, and pay the charge in seconds. No hidden fees, no extra steps, just the quickest and easiest way to pay the Oxford Zero Emission Zone charge.
It’s Britain’s first emission control zone that charges every vehicle besides those that are fully electric. Even hybrid.
It launched in February 2022 and, for now, applies to just nine streets in the very heart of Oxford. Its aim is to keep the historic centre free of traffic and pollution, by encouraging walking, cycling, and park & ride schemes. Drivers who continue using the zone will pay up to £10 per day, depending on their vehicle.
Charges will apply to:
The Oxford ZEZ is a pilot scheme. If it's successful, it will be extended to cover an area 10x larger than the current zone – which will include most of the city centre. Fees are also going to go up, doubling in August 2025.
In Caura, you can pay for yesterday's, today's or tomorrow's travel.
Different vehicle categories pay different amounts:
From August 2025, these charges will double in price.
You'll need to remember to pay the charge, you won't receive a reminder. If you don’t sort it on time, then you’ll receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) for £60. You’ll have 28 days to pay, the PCN will be reduced to £30 if you pay within 14 days.
The most obvious exemption is zero emission vehicles. If you’re driving one of these, you’re home free. Literally.
There’s no need to apply for exemption. The number plate (ANPR) cameras will scan your vehicle, and the system will recognise you as exempt. The same applies for other Oxford ZEZ exemption categories:
There are also discounts available for some vehicles and drivers. These do need to be applied for, and Oxford City Council recommend that you do this at least 10 days before you use the zone, allowing time for the application to be processed:
The Oxford ZEZ currently applies to just nine of Oxford’s most central streets. These are:
The Oxford ZEZ is well sign-posted and you should be able to easily identify if you’re heading into it. The map shown above highlights the affected streets, and the road signs that mark the boundary of the zone are easily recognisable.
The zone is currently a pilot, and if successful it will be expanded to cover a much larger area.
Caura is the easiest way to pay the Oxford ZEZ charge (or any other car-related charges, for that matter).
Download the app and tap ‘City Charges’ to find the Oxford ZEZ. Select the day, then pay in a second via Apple or Google Pay (or via credit card).
Receipts are automatically stored in the app, so you can always check what you've paid for.
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