Experts call for major car tax payment overhaul with certain drivers affected
Clean Air Zone payments could soon be completely changed under plans from a leading motoring pressure group.
Motoring specialists have demanded urgent car tax changes with chiefs calling for a major overhaul of UK Clean Air Zones.
Experts at the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) claimed the localised nature of Clean Air Zones made them “unnecessarily complex”.
Instead, the group is calling for a “national committee” which will offer “greater consistency” for motorists.
However, more importantly they have suggested a complete overhaul in Clean Air Zone payments in their latest 2024 Tax and Regulation Manifesto report.
The study said: “We welcome Clean Air Zones (CAZs) for the positive impact they have on the environment.
“However, their localised nature, with a plethora of different rules and methods of payment, means they are unnecessarily complex for national fleets to deal with.
“We would like to see them instead steered by a national committee that creates greater consistency around their operation, especially when it comes to charging, which should use simple, effect and automated technological solutions.
“CAZs are effectively a form of taxation and payment should be easy.”
Clean Air Zone fees are installed in eight cities across the UK and each follows a range of different rules.
DON'T MISS
Diesel drivers targeted and could be banned ‘as quickly as possible’ under plans [LATEST]
Clean Air Zone ‘trap’ catches drivers out as they refuse to fly from UK airport [ANALYSIS]
British drivers at risk of £155 fine when driving in France this year [COMMENT]
Portsmouth has a Class B Clean Air Zone which charges buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
Four UK cities have a Class C zone with Bath, Bradford, Sheffield and Tyneside also dishing out charges to vans and minibuses.
Birmingham’s Class D system also includes fees for some cars with vehicles also targeted under London’s ULEZ scheme.
According to GOV.UK, motorists should check if they will need to pay a charge for driving into a Clean Air Zone before setting off.
Charging periods usually run from midnight to midnight meaning motorists crossing this could be liable for a second day’s charge.
Officials warn motorists must pay the fee by 11:59 pm on the sixth day after driving into the zone.
Motorists can pay up to six days before setting off but could be issued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if it is not settled on time.
