Exemptions

The Clean Air Zone in Newcastle and Gateshead applies to older and more polluting taxis, vans, buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles.

These vehicles are required to meet national CAZ emissions requirements, which are set by government.

In certain cases, some vehicles which do not meet the Clean Air Zone emissions requirements may be exempt from paying the Clean Air Zone charge.

There are two types of exemption:

  • National exemptions, which are agreed by government and apply to all Clean Air Zones, and

  • Local exemptions, which are agreed by councils for the Clean Air Zone in their area.

On this page you can find details of which vehicles may be exempt along with information on whether you need to apply and how to do so.

Please read the guidance on this page along with the local exemptions list and the Terms and Conditions, before applying.

National Exemptions

These exemptions are automatic, which means you do not need to apply for them.

Vehicles that are covered by national exemptions include:

  • 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

These exemptions only apply in the specific Clean Air Zones where they have been agreed, which means there may be different local exemptions in other areas.

Some local exemptions may be permanent while others may be granted for a set period of time. In most cases these exemptions are not automatic and you will need to apply.

The list of locally exempt vehicles in the Tyneside - Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone has been finalised and the owners of these categories of vehicle will be able to apply for an exemption.

How to Apply

In order to be granted a local exemption you will need to submit an application and may be asked to provide documentation to support your application.  Applications will be evaluated by the Clean Air Zone exemption team, and it may take 14 days for the application to be fully reviewed and processed.

In order to apply for an exemption, you will need to create an online account by clicking on the link below.

To register you will need to enter a valid email address, password and contact information including name, address and telephone number.

A verification email will be sent, which will include a link to activate your account.

After you have verified your account and logged in using your email and password you will need to click on ‘Apply for a Permit’.

Please note that until your application has been reviewed and approved by the Clean Air Zone team your vehicle will not be exempt from the Clean Air Zone charges and a payment to enter the Clean Air Zone should still be made.

You may be eligible for financial support to help you upgrade your vehicle. Find out about vehicle upgrade grants