Clean Air Zone (CAZ) PCN and Bailiffs

We receive a significant number of enquiries via our helpline or online Enquiry Form regarding the enforcement of a PCN issued for driving into a Clean Air Zone without making the necessary payment.  With many more parts of the country introducing Clean Air Zones, we have added this page to our website.

Which local authorities have introduced Clean Air Zones.

Bath City Council (since March 2021)

Birmingham City Council (since June 2021)

Bradford City Council (since September 2021)

Bristol City Council (since November 2022)

Gateshead, Newcastle & North Tyneside (since January 2023)

Portsmouth City Councils (since November 2021)

Oxford City Council (since February 2022)

Sheffield (since February 2023)

I only became aware of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) Penalty when I was contacted by a bailiff.

If you have received a telephone call, a text message, a letter, or a visit from an enforcement agent in relation to a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) PCN that you hadn’t known about, (usually, because all notices had been sent to a previous address), then all bailiff enforcement will be temporarily suspended by submitting an Out of Time Witness Statement (TE7 and TE9) to the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC).

We have an entire page dedicated to Clean Air Zone Out of Time Witness Statements here.

I have multiple Clean Air Zone Penalty Charge Notices 

We receive many enquiries from motorists who have multiple Clean Air Zone (CAZ) PCN’s. Very often, the amount owing can run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds. There can be many reasons why a motorist had been unaware that penalty charge notices had been issued. For example;

  • You may have moved address and failed to update your V5C (Log Book) with DVLA when you moved. If so, all notices would have been sent to your previous address.
  • Your were unaware that you were driving in a Clean Air (CAZ) zone.
  • The V5C (Log Book) may have been retained by a finance/leasing company. If so, all notices from the relevant local authority would have gone to the finance company. They would respond to the authority to request that liability for the PCN be transferred to the person leasing the vehicle and in doing so, would provide the authority with the address held on their records. It is very important therefore to ensure that if you move address that you inform the finance company.

How much will I have to pay if a bailiff is instructed?

At the time of introducing this page to our website (December 2024) an unpaid CAZ Penalty Charge Notice will be enforced by one of three enforcement companies; Marston Recovery, CDER Group or Bristow & Sutor. Legislation only provides for the enforcement company to send one letter entitled: Notice of Enforcement. At this stage, the enforcement company will be able to add a Compliance fee of £75 to the debt. It is important to be aware that the Notice of Enforcement must clearly state the time and date by when payment must be made or a repayment proposal set up. If you fail to make payment within the time specified on the Notice of Enforcement, a bailiff will make a personal visit.

At the time of the visit, the amount payable increases significantly to include the bailiff companies enforcement fee of £235.  It is important to stress that if you have more than one Clean Air Zone (CAZ) penalty outstanding, the enforcement company may only charge one ‘enforcement fee’ of £235. He cannot charge multiple fees. If your vehicle is outside of your property, it is likely to be clamped or worse still; removed to the enforcement companies vehicle pound. A removal fee of £110 plus additional storage costs will also become payable.

Commentary from Bailiff Advice Online

If you have any queries regarding a Clean Air Zone Penalty that is being enforced by either Marston Recovery, CDER Group or Bristow & Sutor,  you can email a question to us using our online Enquiry Form.  Alternatively, you can contact our free Bailiff Support Line.