Tyneside – Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone local exemption list
This is the list of vehicles that may apply for a local exemption for the Tyneside – Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone.
Details are also provided to indicate which documents may be required to support an applications, the length of an exemption and any additional information.
Applications can be made online or using a paper application form, which you can request by contacting the helpdesk on 0191 278 2711 or caz.helpdesk@newcastle.gov.uk (Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm).
Emergency vehicles
For example – police vehicles; fire engines; ambulances and health service vehicles; mine rescue vehicles; lifeboat vehicles.
An application must be submitted by a recognised emergency service officer.
Typically this exemption would be a permanent one.
Agricultural or similar vehicles
For example – tractors; mowing machines; steam powered vehicles; snow ploughs; gritters; road rollers; digging machines; mobile cranes; mobile pumping vehicles.
Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document, photographs of your vehicle and proof of work within the zone.
Typically this exemption would be a permanent one.
Showmen’s Guild vehicles
For example – rigid lorry; tractor unit; caravan based on a twin axle; living van.
Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document, photographs of your vehicle and proof of Showmen’s Guild membership
Typically this exemption would be a permanent one.
Non-commercial vintage buses
Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document, photographs of your vehicle, evidence confirming not for profit or charity status (registered charity number) and your insurance certificate for private use.
Typically this exemption would be a permanent one.
Motor caravans
For example – Class L vehicles under the Road User Charging and Workplace Parking Levy (Classes of Motor vehicles) (England) Regulations 2001.
Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document and photographs of your vehicle.
Typically this exemption would be a permanent one.
Bus and HGV training vehicles
For example – buses; coaches; HGVs.
Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document and photographs of your vehicle.
Typically this exemption would be a permanent one.
Vehicles awaiting retrofit or replacement vehicle
For example – retrofitted buses and coaches, replacement vehicles vans taxis, minibuses.
Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document and a receipt of purchase to evidence your order of a new vehicle or retrofit and the expected date of delivery.
This exemption will be for one-year from the retrofit or replacement vehicle order, or when work is completed or the new vehicle is supplied (whichever is earliest).
Financed vehicles
This covers taxis and private hire vehicles, registered in Newcastle, Gateshead or North Tyneside, along with commercial vehicles registered to businesses based within the boundaries of the Clean Air Zone.
Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document, your PHV or Hackney Carriage registration and licence documents and your vehicle finance agreements. Commercial vehicle owners will also need to provide proof of their business address within the CAZ.
This exemption will last until the date of the last finance payment or two years from the start date of the Clean Air Zone (whichever is earliest).
Vehicles registered to businesses located within the CAZ
For example – light goods vehicles.
Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document and evidence that your business is located within the CAZ, such as a business rates statement or utility bill.
This exemption will last for two years from the start date of the Clean Air Zone.
These exemptions are limited to a maximum of two per company.
Community transport vehicles
For example – minibuses.
Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document and a copy of a valid Community Transport Permit.
This exemption will last for two years from the start of the Clean Air Zone.
Wheelchair accessible taxis and private hire vehicles
For example – adapted taxis and private hire vehicles.
Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document, your Hackney Carriage or private hire licence documents and evidence that the vehicle is a wheelchair accessible taxi or private hire vehicle if it appears on a list of vehicles maintained under section 167(1) of the Equality Act 2010.
This exemption will last for two years from the start of the Clean Air Zone.
Non-compliant resident vehicles
For example – Light goods vehicles, taxis and private hire vehicles.
Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document in the name of the applicant and proof of residency with the Clean Air zone, such as a tenancy agreement or mortgage statement.
This exemption will last for two years from the start of the Clean Air Zone.
These exemptions are limited to a maximum of two per property.
Emergency Rail Replacement Vehicles
For example – buses and coaches.
To apply for an exemption please forward an email from an official email address from Network Rail, Nexus or a 3rd party travel company such as First Travel Solutions. You will also need to forward on the running boards you receive for that day. This should be sent to caz.exemptions@newcastle.gov.uk
As of the 11th November 2024 we will no longer accept email applications. To apply after this date you will need to use our online account service using the following link Apply for an exemption
These exemptions are variable, short-term exemptions which will only be available when the emergency replacement service is required due to a same-day unforeseen emergency. Pre-planned replacement services will not qualify for an exemption.