Did you actually need to pay?
You only owe a charge if you drove a vehicle that isn’t zero emission on one of the zone’s streets between 7am and 7pm. The zone runs every day of the year. Its streets are Cornmarket Street, Queen Street, Bonn Square, New Road between Bonn Square and Castle Street, New Inn Hall Street, St Michael’s Street, Ship Street, Shoe Lane, and the first 40 metres of Market Street from Cornmarket (ZEZ map).
- Electric (zero emission) vehicles pay nothing and don’t need to apply for an exemption.
- A vehicle parked in the zone that doesn’t move isn’t charged.
- Exempt vehicles include Hackney carriages licensed by Oxford City Council, registered local buses, emergency service, military and historic vehicles, and hearses (discounts and exemptions).
- Discounts, such as 100% for Blue Badge holders and 90% for people who live in the zone, only count once approved. The council asks you to apply at least 10 working days before you drive in.
How much is the Oxford ZEZ charge?
| Vehicle | Daily charge |
|---|---|
| Zero emission (0g/km CO2) | £0 |
| Under 75g/km CO2, or any motorbike or moped that isn’t zero emission | £2 |
| Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel | £4 |
| All other vehicles | £10 |
One payment covers the whole day, however many times you drive in (ZEZ charges). Full details are on our Oxford Zero Emission Zone page.
How long do I have to pay the Oxford ZEZ?
You have six days after the day you drove in. You can also pay on the day, or up to six days in advance. Don’t leave it to the last day.
How do I pay the Oxford ZEZ late?
- Go to the council’s Check your vehicle and pay page.
- Enter your registration. The vehicle checker tells you how much your vehicle pays.
- Choose the date you drove in, up to six days back, and pay.
What if it’s been more than six days?
The payment window closes six days after the day you drove in. After that, the council may send a £60 penalty charge notice (PCN) to the registered keeper (ZEZ fines). What you pay depends on when you pay it:
- £30 within 14 days of the date of service, which is two working days after the posting date on the notice.
- £60 within 28 days of the date of service.
- £90 once a charge certificate is issued, if you haven’t paid or challenged within 28 days.
Pay online through the council’s fines page, by phone on 0345 337 1138 (option 1), or by post. The council says it won’t send a reminder, so note the dates.
Can I challenge an Oxford ZEZ fine?
Yes, if you have grounds. The Traffic Penalty Tribunal lists them: you weren’t the owner at the time, the charge didn’t apply to your vehicle (for example it’s exempt), you paid in time, the vehicle was used without your consent, it was on a formal hire agreement, the council made a procedural error, or the penalty is more than £60.
- Don’t pay first. The council can’t accept a challenge once the PCN is paid, and it won’t extend the 14-day discount if your challenge is rejected.
- Challenge in writing within 28 days of the date of service: online through the council’s appeal page, on the form on the back of the PCN, or by post. You can add up to three documents or photos.
- If it’s rejected, you’ll get a Notice of Rejection. You then have 28 days to pay or appeal to the independent Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Appealing is free, but you pay the full £60 if you lose.
Forgetting to pay isn’t a ground on its own. If there’s a compelling reason, the adjudicator can’t cancel the PCN but can ask the council to reconsider. Our appeals guide has tips on evidence.
How do I avoid it next time?
- Pay in advance for a planned trip, up to six days before. The council won’t refund days you paid for and didn’t use.
- Apply for a discount if you qualify, at least 10 working days before you need it.
- EveryDrive detects when you drive onto one of the zone’s streets, tells you whether your vehicle is charged, and reminds you before the six days run out.
Driving a car elsewhere in Oxford? Watch out for the traffic filters too. They can’t be paid for, and EveryDrive doesn’t track them.