Ramsons replied on 31/07/2023 10:37
Posted on 31/07/2023 10:37
I've been clobbered with a penalty for driving through Bradford's Clean Air Zone. Bradford's website says:
Motor caravans (M1) Class L vehicles registered with a type approval of Class M1 (motorhome body type) Vehicles both in and outside the district will have this exemption in the Bradford CAZ.
This exemption it is automatically applied based on your vehicle tax class. You do not need to apply.
My V5C says: D5: Body type Motor Caravan.
So I've filled in their online form to claim that exemption. I also visited the clean air checker at .gov.uk, which says our van should pay, asking the DVLA if this is due to incomplete data there. DVLA say they'll reply within a day(?!), but Bradford's automated response say's they can take up to 56 days. My worry is that I have 10 days left to pay the discounted fine of £60, the full whack being £120.
I'm supportive of clean air zones, but Bradford's site is misleading, the zone extends way out to Shipley, and I was only there due to a diversion from the A65. So we were looking for diversion signs, not CAZ notices.
So if you have a pre Euro6 van, best check you route, and err on the side of caution, better to pay the charge unneccesarily than get a fine.
Ramsons