All the locations in the UK where you’ll be charged for driving in clean air zones – find out how much you’ll have to pay
Leeds and Birmingham are set to introduce their own clean air zones by early next year
MOTORISTS could soon be charged to drive through some of UK's major cities.
Stricter regulations were introduced this week in central London to help encourage drivers to use more environmentally-friendly motors.
Drivers are now being charged to travel through the capital as a part of the Ultra Low Emission Zone, which operates 24 hours a day.
But other major cities are considering adopting the regulations to help reduce pollution.
Leeds and Birmingham are set to introduce similar programs next year, while several other councils are debating if they should roll out their own clean air zone.
What are clean air zones?
Clean air zones (CAZs) are areas where the local government has implemented tighter regulations to improve air quality.
The restrictions have been implemented after the Supreme Court ordered ministers in 2015 to take urgent action to reduce air pollution across the UK.
But there are two different types of clean air zones - charging and non-charging.
You will be forced to pay a fee when entering an charging area if your vehicle doesn't meet the outlined environmental standards.
Non-charging zones are regions where the local authority is attempting to improve air quality.
Where will they be rolled out?
Strict ULEZ regulations were introduced this week in London, where drivers will have to pay £12.50 if their vehicle doesn't meet emissions standards.
The zone is set to be expanded to cover the majority of Greater London from October 25, 2021.
Leeds is expected to introduce a similar charging CAZs early next year, while Birmingham will impose their own restrictions from January 1, 2020.
Bath is another major district set to roll out a charging zone from late 2020.
Other regions expected to roll out the restrictions include Sheffield, Greater Manchester, Bristol, Cambridge and Oxford.
But these restrictions are currently in the early consultation stages and still need to be voted on.
latest motors news
How much will I have to pay?
The fees you'll have to cover largely depend on what type of vehicle you drive and whether it goes over the local emissions regulations.
Private cars, vans and motorcycles caught driving through London over the restrictions will be charged £12.50, while buses and coaches will have to cover a £100 fee.
Other regions are considering rolling out fees around £8 for private vehicles, while buses and HGVs are likely to be charged between £50 to £100.