Are you travelling to Birmingham and wondering if you’ll have to pay to enter the city’s Clean Air Zone?

While Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) says you can walk, cycle or travel on public transport through the Clean Air Zone, you might still find yourself driving through.

Signs mark out the area but you’ll more than likely want to know if you need to pay before you get there.

Some motorists are exempt from paying the charges – let’s take a look at who this means.

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Who is exempt from paying Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone charges?

The TfWM website explains that motorists who have “the most polluting vehicles” will need to pay a charge.

However, those with an electric or hybrid vehicle won’t need to and drivers with a car that meets the emission standards will also be able to drive through the area without paying.

How to check if you need to pay the charges

If you’re not sure if your vehicle is exempt, you can check via the Government website by entering your registration number.

Cameras in the Clean Air Zone will notice the vehicles that have to pay and if you work or live within the zone, you might be able to apply for a temporary permit that will allow you to be exempt.

If you are travelling to the following four locations, you won’t be charged – Birmingham’s Children Hospital, Badger Medical, Bath Row Medical Practice (Attwood Green Health Centre), Millenium Point for Covid-19 vaccinations.

When you attend your appointment, you’ll need to collect a voucher which you’ll use to cover the cost.

If your workplace falls within the Clear Air Zone and you need to pay to drive there, you could be helped to scrap it.

TfWM says that if eligible, motorists who would usually pay the charges could scrap their vehicles and receive either £2,000 on a Swift card (a smart card for use on public transport) or a £2,000 discount on a new car using Motorpoint.

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Birmingham Clean Air Zone prices and how to pay

Motorists who have vehicles that don’t meet the criteria and have to pay the charges to drive through the zone in Birmingham will pay £8 per day if they drive a car, taxi or LGVs (large goods vehicles) or £50 per day if they drive a coach or HGV (heavy goods vehicles).

Payment can be made 6 days before or 6 days after you visit the Clean Air Zone.

To do this, you can pay online or call 0300 029 8888.

What happens if you don’t pay the charge?

If you enter the Clean Air Zone in a vehicle that doesn’t meet the criteria and you fail to pay it, a £120 penalty charge will be issued to you but if you pay it within 14 days, you will need to pay £60 instead.