Portsmouth Clean Air Zone: Who Pays and What To Do
Check the actual charge before deciding to replace a vehicle
A clean-air-zone concern does not automatically mean a vehicle needs scrapping. First check the registration in the official service and confirm the vehicle category. Portsmouth’s Class B rules differ from schemes elsewhere, so a result for another city cannot answer the Portsmouth question.
If you run a business, consider how often that particular vehicle enters the zone and whether those journeys are essential. Compare the confirmed charge with the cost and practicality of keeping, changing or replacing the vehicle. A sale or replacement decision should also consider condition, reliability, finance and your actual transport needs.
If you choose to sell, describe the vehicle honestly. A failed emissions-standard check is not the same thing as an MOT failure, accident damage or an engine fault. Give ScrapTrak the registration, condition and collection postcode so any offer reflects the car itself. See selling a car and scrap and salvage value for the next steps.
Keep daily charges and penalty notices separate
Use GOV.UK’s Clean Air Zone guidance for checking and paying the daily charge. Payment is due by 11:59pm on the sixth day after driving into the zone; advance payment is available up to six days before travel. Keep the confirmation and check the registration and travel date.
If you already have a penalty notice, follow the instructions on that notice and the Portsmouth council PCN page. Do not assume paying an ordinary daily charge closes an existing penalty case. If you think a notice is wrong, use the stated challenge route and deadline.
Selling or scrapping a vehicle now does not settle an earlier charge or penalty. Keep your sale date and handover records, particularly if a notice relates to a journey after the vehicle left your possession.
Private cars and vans are not charged in Portsmouth’s Clean Air Zone. Charges apply to certain taxis/PHVs, buses/coaches and HGVs that do not meet emissions standards (Portsmouth is a Class B CAZ).
Tip: Always use the official GOV.UK checker below—there are scam sites pretending to take CAZ payments.
Check your vehicle in seconds (official)
Use the UK government service to see if your vehicle must pay in Portsmouth and to pay any charge if due:
Map & boundary
Check the official boundary map for your exact route; do not infer whether a road is inside the zone from its postcode or proximity to a ferry terminal. For the official boundary plans and local guidance, use:
What are the daily charges (and who pays)?
| Vehicle type (non‑compliant) | Daily charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taxis & Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) | £10 | Pay via GOV.UK; zone operates 24/7. |
| HGVs, Buses & Coaches | £50 | Pay via GOV.UK; zone operates 24/7. |
| Private cars, vans, minibuses, motorcycles | No charge | Portsmouth is Class B (these vehicle classes are not charged). |
If you don’t pay (penalties & deadlines)
You normally have a short window after driving in the CAZ to pay the daily charge. If you do not pay, Portsmouth City Council issues a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Current guidance indicates the late fee starts at £60 (rising if unpaid) in addition to the daily charge.
Non‑compliant? Your options
Upgrade or retrofit
Consider upgrading to a compliant vehicle class or approved retrofit solutions where available.
Adjust routes
Plan to avoid the CAZ if operationally practical, using the boundary plans linked above.
Dispose of non‑compliant vehicles
We offer compliant collections and can issue a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) via our ATF partners when vehicles are scrapped. CoD guide.
FAQs
Are private cars and vans charged in Portsmouth’s CAZ?
No. Portsmouth operates a Class B CAZ. Charges apply to certain taxis/PHVs, HGVs, buses and coaches that do not meet the emissions standards.
When does the CAZ operate?
Clean Air Zones operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. The charge period runs from midnight to midnight.
How much are the daily charges?
Non‑compliant taxis/PHVs: £10 per day. Non‑compliant HGVs, buses and coaches: £50 per day. Private cars and vans: £0.
How do I pay or appeal a PCN?
Use the GOV.UK CAZ service to pay daily charges. For PCNs issued by Portsmouth City Council, follow the council’s PCN guidance.
How do I check a fleet quickly?
GOV.UK provides a fleet account so you can upload number plates (CSV) and check/manage charges in bulk.
Useful links: GOV.UK – CAZ checker • GOV.UK – Clean Air Zone overview • Cleaner Air Portsmouth – map • Charges • PCN information (Portsmouth City Council)