People warned to beware of bogus text messages requesting CAZ payments

We’ve been made aware of a text message that has been sent, telling people they have driven into the Clean Air Zone and asking them to click to make a payment.

This is not an official message. If you receive this text message please DO NOT click the link.

We would never send notification of a CAZ charge to anyone by text message.

Drivers are responsible for checking whether their vehicle is liable to be charged, whether their journey has taken them into the Clean Air Zone and, if required, for making a payment.

If you fail to make a CAZ payment that is owed then you will receive a Penalty Charge Notice from us. This will only be delivered by post to the registered keeper of the vehicle based on DVLA records. A Penalty Charge Notice would never be sent by text message.

CAZ charges only apply to non-compliant taxis, private hire vehicles, buses, coaches and HGVs. From 17 July 2023 non-compliant vans and LGVs will also be charged to enter the zone.

Privately-owned cars, motorbikes and low emissions vehicles are not affected and do not have to pay to enter the CAZ.

To find out whether your vehicle will be charged, enter your registration number on the national government vehicle checker at www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones.

You can check the area covered by the Clean Air Zone and whether your journey goes within the CAZ boundary using the interactive map which can be found at www.breathe-cleanair.com/map.

Clean Air Zone payments can be made up to six days in advance or within six days after a journey. To find out how to make a payment visit www.breathe-cleanair.com/how-to-pay.

If you believe you may have received a suspicious text message asking you to make a payment to enter a Clean Air Zone, please report it by forwarding the text to 7726.