New online tool reveals if YOU will have to pay diesel taxes – and its entirely free

RESTRICTED "clean air zones" could be in place across the UK as soon as March 2018 - but drivers are being left confused by if their car is exempt.

There's currently no official way for drivers to identify their car's Euro emissions rating and know if they'll be hit by extra tolls or banned - until now.

Vehicle history checking service HPI has jumped into help baffled car owners - and its tool is totally free.

It helps drivers identify what Euro classification their car is, and whether they will need to avoid certain areas once the new restrictions come into place after a RAC study found 38 per cent of motorists hadn't heard of the classification system.

And as many as 64 per cent of those who had were unsure what category their vehicle was in.

The free service simply requires drivers to, and the car's classification from Euro 1-6 will be generated immediately.

Information widely available online states that cars registered from September 2015 are Euro 6, which meet the strictest pollution tests.

But Euro 5 cars manufactured before June 2015 could still be sold up to September 2016, meaning some cars carrying a 65 number plate are Euro 6, and some are Euro 5.

Fernando Garcia, consumer director at HPI, said: “The changing legislation around vehicle emissions can give motorists a real headache and leave them out of pocket.

"Our new online check is completely free and allows motorists to check the emissions standard of their vehicle and potentially avoid a fine.”

Last month a £10 toxicity T-Charge was introduced in central London for vehicles which do not meet the Euro 4 standard, generally those registered before 2006.

It covers the same area and operating times as the existing congestion charge zone in the centre of the capital, which runs on weekdays between 7am and 6pm.

Martin Tett, the Local Government Association's transport spokesman, said: "It's essential that government and manufacturers work together to make sure that vehicle emission standards are clear, up front and reflect the actual emissions released.

"This will help motorists play their part in making sure that our communities have cleaner air."