Portsmouth Clean Air Zone (CAZ): what you need to know

Consumer Editor

8 minute read|14th Oct 2026

If you're heading to Portsmouth, it's useful to understand how the city's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) works and which vehicles are subject to charges.

Private cars, vans and motorcycles are not charged to enter the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone, but charges can apply to non-compliant taxis, private hire vehicles, HGVs, buses and coaches.

In this emissions guide, we explain the area covered by the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone, the vehicles affected, how much it costs and the penalties for failing to pay.

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What is the Portsmouth clean air zone?

The Portsmouth Clean Air Zone is a designated area within the city where restrictions apply to certain vehicles to help improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions.

Launched in November 2021, it operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and all 365 days a year. This includes all weekends and bank holidays.

Charges go from midnight to midnight, and the total fee will depend on the vehicle type and emissions standards.

All drivers should check they meet the Euro emissions standard before entering the area.

Unlike most other UK Clean Air Zones, the Portsmouth CAZ specifically targets certain older models of buses, coaches, taxis, HGVs, and private hire vehicles – but not private cars, motorcycles and vans.

Map of Portsmouth clean air zone

The Clean Air Zone covers a large area of central Portsmouth, including postcodes in PO1, PO2 and PO5.

The zone encompasses much of the city centre, Commercial Road, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth Harbour, Southsea, and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Here is a map of the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone:

*MAP WITH STUDIO*

Portsmouth clean air zone charges

Non-compliant vehicles that fall within the charging scheme must pay a daily charge to enter the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone.

Charges relate to relevant vehicles that do not meet Euro 6 emission standards if they are diesel, or Euro 4 emission standards if they are petrol.

Here are the charges:

Vehicle type	Daily charge
Private car, motorcycle or van	No charge
Taxis	£10
HGVs	£50
Buses	£50
Coaches	£50
Motorhomes	£50

Portsmouth clean air zone penalties

You can pay the charge up to six days before entering the zone or up to six days afterwards.

If you fail to pay the daily charge within the permitted timeframe, you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). The fee is £60 if paid within 14 days, rising to £120 after that. You'll also need to pay the original Clean Air Zone daily charge.

The penalty is £60 if paid within the first 14 days of it being issued – which then doubles to £120.

You can challenge the PCN within the first 28 days of it being issued.

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Portsmouth CAZ checker

Private cars, motorcycles and vans are not charged to enter the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone.

For vehicle types that are affected by the Portsmouth CAZ, charges generally apply if they do not meet Euro 6 emissions standards for diesel engines or Euro 4 emissions standards for petrol engines.

If you drive a zero-emission vehicle like an electric car, you will not be charged to enter the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone. Additionally, modified or retrofitted vehicles registered with the Energy Saving Trust’s Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS) will not be charged. 

You can check your vehicle online via the Government Clean Air Zone portal or call 0300 029 8888 between 8am and 7pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm, Saturday.

What are the times for the Portsmouth clean air zone?

The Portsmouth Clean Air Zone runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year. That includes weekends and bank holidays.

The timings run from midnight to midnight, and non-compliant vehicles are charged per day.

There are 55 cameras spread out throughout the Portsmouth CAZ that are in constant operation.

Which vehicles are affected by the Portsmouth clean air zone?

Private cars, vans and motorcycles are not charged to enter the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone.

Charges apply to non-compliant taxis and private hire vehicles, HGVs, buses and coaches.

Therefore taxis, HGVs, buses, coaches and motorhomes that don’t meet the necessary emissions standards will need to pay the required daily fee.

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Portsmouth clean air zone exemptions

Some vehicles can apply for specialist short-term exemptions, including vintage buses and horse transporters.

However, there are some other notable exemptions for the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone.

They include emergency service vehicles, specialist heavy vehicles (recovery company trucks), wheelchair accessible taxis, school buses, and other community transport which has been approved by the local Portsmouth City Council.

How do I pay the Portsmouth clean air zone charge?

If your vehicle is subject to Portsmouth's Clean Air Zone charge, follow these simple steps to pay and avoid receiving a penalty:

Check whether your vehicle is affected by entering your registration number into the government's Clean Air Zone vehicle checker
Visit the GOV.UK Clean Air Zones payment service
Enter your vehicle registration number when prompted
Select Portsmouth Clean Air Zone and the date you travelled, or plan to travel, within the zone
Review whether a charge applies and confirm the amount due
Enter your payment details and complete the transaction
Save your payment confirmation or receipt for your records
Pay up to six days before entering the zone, or up to six days afterwards
Make sure payment is completed within the allowed timeframe to avoid receiving a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)