ULEZ and clean air zones explained and what they mean for your journey

If you’re planning a trip, heading into a city or even just passing through somewhere new, there’s one thing that’s worth keeping in mind before you set off. Across the UK, more towns and cities are introducing ULEZ and Clean Air Zones, and while they’re designed to improve air quality, they can sometimes catch drivers out if they’re not expecting them.

Whether you’re hiring a car for a weekend away or a van for work, moving house or a big delivery, understanding where these zones are and how they work can save you money and help your journey run smoothly. With the help of our daily hire and Flexi hire cars and vans here at Intack Self Drive, you can get where you need to go comfortably and stress free, as long as you know what to look out for along the way!

So, What Are ULEZ and Clean Air Zones?

ULEZ and Clean Air Zones are areas that have been introduced to help reduce pollution in busy towns and cities. In built-up areas with heavy traffic, pollution levels can become much higher than recommended, largely due to exhaust emissions from older vehicles. Over time, this poor air quality has been linked to breathing problems, heart conditions and other long-term health issues, particularly for children and older people.

Because of this, these zones focus mainly on older, higher-emission vehicles, which may be required to pay a daily charge to drive within certain areas. Newer and lower-emission vehicles are often unaffected, which is good news for many drivers and means that for most modern cars and vans, no charge applies at all.

Even if you’re hiring a vehicle, these rules still apply. If the car or van you’re driving enters one of these zones and doesn’t meet the required emissions standards, a charge may apply for that day. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have a rough plan of where you’re heading and whether your journey might take you through one of these zones.

Driving Through London and the ULEZ

London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, often shortened to ULEZ, is the most well-known scheme in the UK. It covers all London boroughs and operates around the clock, every day of the year except Christmas Day.

If a car or van does not meet the emissions standards, drivers are typically charged around £12.50 per day to drive within the zone. For larger vehicles like lorries, buses and coaches, the charge is usually higher, typically around one hundred pounds per day. This is in addition to the cost of hiring the vehicle and applies for every day the vehicle is used within the zone.

If you’re planning a trip to London or travelling through the capital as part of a longer journey, it’s worth factoring this in ahead of time. Even a short drive within the zone can result in a daily charge, so a little planning can go a long way.

Clean air zones around the UK

It’s not just London that has emissions charging zones in place, either. Many other UK cities now operate Clean Air Zones, including Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Bradford, Sheffield, Portsmouth, Newcastle and Gateshead. While these zones work in a similar way to London’s ULEZ, the rules and charges can vary depending on the city and the type of vehicle you are driving.

In most Clean Air Zones, charges only apply if the vehicle does not meet emissions standards. Typically, this means:

• Private cars are often not charged at all, as many Clean Air Zones were designed to focus on commercial and higher polluting vehicles. This does depend on the city, so it’s always worth checking.
• Vans and minibuses may be charged typically around £8 to £10 per day if they are non compliant.
• Buses, coaches and HGVs are usually charged more, typically around £50 to £100 per day if they do not meet emissions standards.

Most Clean Air Zones operate 24 hours a day, every day, and charges usually apply per calendar day, even if you only enter the zone for a short period of time. However, because each city sets its own rules, it’s always worth checking before you travel so you know exactly what to expect and can plan your journey properly.

Planning your journey with these zones in mind

If your plans involve travelling into a city centre, driving through a built-up area or heading somewhere unfamiliar, it’s a good idea to think about whether your route might take you through a ULEZ or Clean Air Zone. This is especially important if you’re hiring a van for work, deliveries or moving house, as many Clean Air Zones focus on commercial vehicles.

Knowing where these zones are can help you decide which vehicle is best for your trip, whether that’s a smaller car for a city visit or a modern van for a longer journey. A bit of forward planning can help you avoid unexpected charges and keep your day running smoothly.

However, if you're currently driving an older car and the thought of extra charges isn’t very appealing, hiring one of our vehicles can be an easy way to take the pressure off. Sometimes it’s just nice to know you can get in the car and go, without having to think about whether you’ll be hit with a daily charge along the way.

At Intack Self Drive, we’ve got a great range of modern cars available for daily hire and Flexi hire. Whether you need something for a quick city trip, a bit of work on the road, or a longer journey further afield, we’ll help you find a vehicle that suits your plans. If you’re not sure what you need, no worries at all, just have a chat with our team and we’ll point you in the right direction so you can enjoy the journey with one less thing to think about. You can browse the best hire deals right here on our site or give us a call on 0125457811!