Payments
How do I pay a CAZ charge?
If you need to pay a CAZ charge you can use the national payment website.
This official payment site has been set up by the government for all Clean Air Zones, including the Newcastle and Gateshead CAZ.
Additionally, customers can pay through the national CAZ helpline their online contact form or by telephoning 0300 029 8888, Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm.
Please be aware that there are third party websites and apps that offer to manage CAZ payments on your behalf. These sites often charge a large fee and we would always recommend using the official payment channels to avoid any excess and unnecessary charges.
We’ve also been made aware of a text message asking people to click a link in order to pay a CAZ charge. Please note that this is not an official message and do not click the link. See our news story for more details.
When will I have to pay a charge?
Registered vehicle keepers are responsible for paying a daily charge when driving a non-compliant vehicle in a Clean Air Zone. You can pay up to six days before the day of travel, on the day of travel, or up to six days after the day of travel.
The daily charge period runs from midnight to midnight, 24 hours a day. Users will need to pay separately for any other Clean Air Zone they drive in that day.
What are the different payment methods?
There are four possible payment methods.
If you are paying for one vehicle, you can pay online by credit or debit card at www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones.
You can also pay through the national CAZ payment helpdesk using their online contact form or by telephoning 0300 029 8888, Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm.
If you are a taxi owner licenced by Newcastle, Gateshead or North Tyneside Councils, you may apply for a consecutive seven-day permit at a cost of £50, instead of the standard charge of £12.50 per day. Further details can be found at www.breathe-cleanair.com/taxi-drivers.
Finally, if you are paying for multiple vehicles, you may set up a GoCardless account and pay by bank transfer. Note that this does not automatically debit your account every time you drive into the CAZ: you will have to authorise each journey but will be able to pay for multiple visits on multiple vehicles in one payment.
Sign in | Drive in a Clean Air Zone | GOV.UK. (drive-clean-air-zone.service.gov.uk)
Please be aware that there are third party websites and apps that offer to manage CAZ payments on your behalf. These sites often charge a large fee and we would always recommend using the official payment channels to avoid any excess and unnecessary charges.
Will I be able to pay for a vehicle I’m not the owner or keeper of?
You can pay for any vehicle even if you are not the registered owner or keeper. Note that the registered keeper / owner is responsible for ensuring the charge is paid.
How do I pay for multiple vehicles?
You may set up a GoCardless account and pay by bank transfer. Note that this does not automatically debit your account every time you drive into the CAZ: you will have to authorise each journey but will be able to pay for multiple visits on multiple vehicles in one payment.
Sign in | Drive in a Clean Air Zone | GOV.UK. (drive-clean-air-zone.service.gov.uk)
I will be driving through multiple zones. Do I have to pay in each? Multiple times or one overall fee?
You need to pay separately for each Clean Air Zone in which you drive a non-compliant vehicle. Note that some vehicles that are not charged for entering the Newcastle and Gateshead CAZ may be charged in other Clean Air Zones.
Do I have to pay the charge for a vehicle I’m renting/leasing?
You should check with the vehicle rental firm whether you are responsible for paying any clean air zone charges.
What happens if I don’t pay the CAZ charge within the allowed time?
If your vehicle is non-compliant and you fail to pay a CAZ charge by six days after your journey in the zone, you may receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) from the local authority.
This is similar to the PCNs issued by councils to motorists for other contraventions, such as parking offences or driving in a bus lane.
If you receive a PCN you will be required to pay this as well as the original CAZ charge.
What is a Penalty Charge Notice?
Penalty Charge Notices are issued by local authorities to motorists found to be in contravention of certain traffic offences that are treated as civil, not criminal, offences. The Newcastle and Gateshead CAZ enforcement team will be notified of the (non-compliant) vehicle's entry to the CAZ without payment and will obtain the details of the registered keeper from DVLA. They will then issue a PCN.
I've received a Penalty Charge Notice. How can I pay?
The process for making payment is outlined on the PCN you have received. Enforcement agents may be employed to collect the charge if unpaid.
See our page on How to Pay a PCN for more details.
How much is the penalty charge?
A Penalty Charge Notice is set at £120, reduced to £60 if payment is received within 14 days. You will also have to pay the full cost of the original CAZ charge.
What if I refuse to pay the penalty charge?
If you do not pay the PCN within 28 days, you will receive a charge certificate and will have 14 days to pay the original PCN plus a 50% surcharge. Additionally, the CAZ charge will still be due. If you do not pay your PCN it will be treated as a civil debt which could be registered with the Traffic Enforcement Centre and passed to Enforcement Agents to collect which may incur further charges.
Can I appeal against a PCN?
Yes, the PCN letter will tell you how to do this.