LEZ zones (specifically Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead)

[mariesnowgoose]

(... but also other UK LEZ zones...?)

Was idly wondering about the recently acquired 2003 Autosleeper Gatcombe and whether we'll be liable for LEZ charges in Newcastle & Gateshead, or elsewhere in the country.

Looking up the registration number it is classified as a VW van not a motorhome, but found this list of exemptions which looks as though you can contact the council and get a permananent exemption if you send them info & photos etc.

https://www.breathe-cleanair.com/local-exemptions

How is everyone else with an older camper/moho dealing with this?

We're not big on travelling to or through cities normally, but I can see the local Newcastle/Gateshead situation might affect us going places in the camper from 12th July 2023, also if planning on visiting relatives in Glasgow or London etc.

 

[Robmac]

(... but also other UK LEZ zones...?)

Was idly wondering about the recently acquired 2003 Autosleeper Gatcombe and whether we'll be liable for LEZ charges in Newcastle & Gateshead, or elsewhere in the country.

Looking up the registration number it is classified as a VW van not a motorhome, but found this list of exemptions which looks as though you can contact the council and get a permananent exemption if you send them info & photos etc.

https://www.breathe-cleanair.com/local-exemptions

How is everyone else with an older camper/moho dealing with this?

We're not big on travelling to or through cities normally, but I can see the local Newcastle/Gateshead situation might affect us going places in the camper from 12th July 2023, also if planning on visiting relatives in Glasgow or London etc.

Have you looked at the 'Body Type' on the V5 Marie?

It might be listed as a Motor Caravan there.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Have you looked at the 'Body Type' on the V5 Marie?

It might be listed as a Motor Caravan there.

It is listed as a motor caravan on the V5, but am I right in thinking that it only shows up as a "van" on the DVLA website?

I could be wrong (I often am!), but do the councils have access to different vehicle details to the rest of Joe Public when they're camera-clicking vehicle registration numbers when they're passing through any ULEZ or LEZ restriction zones?

Just this is the relevant section extracted from the link I put in above and it seems to imply that you need to specifically inform them that your vehicle is a "Motor Caravan"....

"Motor caravans

For example – Class L vehicles under the Road User Charging and Workplace Parking Levy (Classes of Motor vehicles) (England) Regulations 2001.

Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document and photographs of your vehicle.

Typically this exemption would be a permanent one."

 

[maingate]

If it is a 2003 with a diesel engine then you pay everywhere Marie.

 

[Robmac]

It is listed as a motor caravan on the V5, but am I right in thinking that it only shows up as a "van" on the DVLA website?

I could be wrong (I often am!), but do the councils have access to different vehicle details to the rest of Joe Public when they're camera-clicking vehicle registration numbers when they're passing through any ULEZ or LEZ restriction zones?

Just this is the relevant section extracted from the link I put in above and it seems to imply that you need to specifically inform them that your vehicle is a "Motor Caravan"....

"Motor caravans

For example – Class L vehicles under the Road User Charging and Workplace Parking Levy (Classes of Motor vehicles) (England) Regulations 2001.

Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document and photographs of your vehicle.

Typically this exemption would be a permanent one."

That I don't know Marie. I assume though that the police cameras pick up the vehicle type otherwise Motorhome owners would forever be getting speeding fines as they have different speed limits to vans, so if they can differentiate possibly councils have access to the same database.

Unfortunately though, I think Jim has answered your question.

 

[wildebus]

In fact, if it were a "van" and not a "Motorhome" it would generally stand even less chance of being exempt from anything.

 

[r4dent]

2015 Bailey AA 745 3.5 tonnes.

I filled in an application form on line; got this email back within 2 hours.
"The exemption application has been successful
The reason for this is :
This vehicle has been approved for an exemption from Newcastle Clean Air zone.
This is permanent."

No certificate or sticker, I presume the Vehicle is now on their database.


Thanks for the heads up.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

If it is a 2003 with a diesel engine then you pay everywhere Marie.

That I don't know Marie. I assume though that the police cameras pick up the vehicle type otherwise Motorhome owners would forever be getting speeding fines as they have different speed limits to vans, so if they can differentiate possibly councils have access to the same database.

Unfortunately though, I think Jim has answered your question.

2015 Bailey AA 745 3.5 tonnes.

I filled in an application form on line; got this email back within 2 hours.
"The exemption application has been successful
The reason for this is :
This vehicle has been approved for an exemption from Newcastle Clean Air zone.
This is permanent."

No certificate or sticker, I presume the Vehicle is now on their database.

Thanks for the heads up.

I think @r4dent might have answered my question? It seems he has successfully exempted his vehicle using this process. Ours is less than 3.5 tonnes too and is a factory coach built motorhome, not a panel van conversion (that may/may not have been registered as a Motor Caravan) so I shall attempt to do the same for ours; fill in the application form with photos etc. and see what transpires.

I'm only bothered about travelling locally in the camper initially, so the LEZ/ULEZ rules for Newcastle and Gateshead are important to understand come 12th July this year (so I don't unknowingly get whacked with a fee or fine I wasn't aware of!).

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Just filled in the online form now, but it's after 17:00 so I guess it won't be processed until the council opens tomorrow morning.

In summary: Motor Caravans are a type of vehicle which can apply for an exemption from the ULEZ within Newcastle, but you have to proactively register your vehicle with them and NOT assume because it is a Motor Caravan on the V5C it will be automatically exempted. At least that's what my logic is telling me, but what do I know?!

Anyway, I might be right about the DVLA information only ever showing the base vehicle type, i.e. "van", including for councils. Which goes some way to explaining why you need to actually tell the City Council that it is actually a Motor Caravan so they can add it to their "database" of "exempted vehicles"?

We shall see.

 

[maingate]

It's all about emissions Marie and older engines cannot meet the clean criteria that is acceptable these days.

You will have no problems going to the Metrocentre and Costco. The new zone starts as you cross the bridges into Newcastle from Gateshead. I don't know where they begin if you are entering from the North side of the river Tyne. I have not seen any sign for the zone when I have followed the A1 North when going to Westerhope. No doubt this plague on mankind (and womankind) will spread at some point to include the Royal Burgh and Spa known as Gatesheed.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

It's all about emissions Marie and older engines cannot meet the clean criteria that is acceptable these days.

You will have no problems going to the Metrocentre and Costco. The new zone starts as you cross the bridges into Newcastle from Gateshead. I don't know where they begin if you are entering from the North side of the river Tyne. I have not seen any sign for the zone when I have followed the A1 North when going to Westerhope. No doubt this plague on mankind (and womankind) will spread at some point to include the Royal Burgh and Spa known as Gatesheed.

I have just registered the camper to be exempt from this LEZ zone. There is a form on the Newcastle City website that enables you to do this. I've no doubt it is a moving target that will be changing all the time and the exemption won't last forever, but if it means I can travel in, out or through Newcastle city centre in our old camper without worrying about any potential charges, that'll do me for the moment

I do realise that the CAZ and LEZ rules will be different and more draconian in other areas of the country and that they are coming for all vehicles eventually, but I take life one day at a time, so the "Freedom of Newcastle City" will do me just fine right now

 

[Norfolk NewBoy]

You're making me wonder if similar exemptions might apply in other zones.

Gordon

 

[Glandwr]

You're making me wonder if similar exemptions might apply in other zones.

Gordon

Think that's the only one. You can check here.

Enter the vehicle registration (number plate) | Drive in a clean air zone | GOV.UK

vehiclecheck.drive-clean-air-zone.service.gov.uk

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Think that's the only one. You can check here.

Enter the vehicle registration (number plate) | Drive in a clean air zone | GOV.UK

vehiclecheck.drive-clean-air-zone.service.gov.uk

I had a quick scootch online yesterday and, although I didn't look at every ULEZ/LEZ/CAZ zone ion the country, it did look as if Newcastle City might be the only local council allowing pre-registered motor caravan exemptions

Think we'll all just have to join the circus instead and have them classified as showman's wagons

 

[marchie]

I had a quick scootch online yesterday and, although I didn't look at every ULEZ/LEZ/CAZ zone ion the country, it did look as if Newcastle City might be the only local council allowing pre-registered motor caravan exemptions

Think we'll all just have to join the circus instead and have them classified as showman's wagons

Then the diesel fumes from the 1967 Fodens and AEC's with diesel generators mounted on the rear will pump all their toxins into the air and poison the bairns via the soot in the Candy Floss ...

Steve

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Then the diesel fumes from the 1967 Fodens and AEC's with diesel generators mounted on the rear will pump all their toxins into the air and poison the bairns via the soot in the Candy Floss ...

Steve

But they are an exempt category in Newcastle (if registered). So are "classic vehicles".

National Exemptions

These exemptions are automatic, which means you do not need to apply for them.

Vehicles that are covered by national exemptions include:

• Disabled tax class or disabled passenger tax class
• Certain types of agricultural vehicles
• Historic vehicles
• Military vehicles
• Ultra low emission vehicles
• Vehicles retrofitted with technology accredited by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS)

Local Exemptions (this list is specifically for Newcastle City CAZ)

These exemptions only apply in the specific Clean Air Zones where they have been agreed, which means there may be different local exemptions in other areas.

Some local exemptions may be permanent while others may be granted for a set period of time. In most cases these exemptions are not automatic and you will need to apply.

The list of locally exempt vehicles in the Tyneside - Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone has been finalised and the owners of these categories of vehicle will be able to apply for an exemption.

Please note: There will be a temporary exemption for light goods vehicles (vans), which will not be required to pay Clean Air Zone charges until July 2023, as part of a phased introduction of the zone. There is no need to apply for this exemption as it will be automatically applied to the vehicle.


Showmen’s Guild vehicles

For example – rigid lorry; tractor unit; caravan based on a twin axle; living van.

Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document, photographs of your vehicle and proof of Showmen’s Guild membership

Typically this exemption would be a permanent one.

 

[marchie]

But they are an exempt category in Newcastle (if registered). So are "classic vehicles".

National Exemptions

These exemptions are automatic, which means you do not need to apply for them.

Vehicles that are covered by national exemptions include:

• Disabled tax class or disabled passenger tax class
• Certain types of agricultural vehicles
• Historic vehicles
• Military vehicles
• Ultra low emission vehicles
• Vehicles retrofitted with technology accredited by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS)

Local Exemptions (this list is specifically for Newcastle City CAZ)

These exemptions only apply in the specific Clean Air Zones where they have been agreed, which means there may be different local exemptions in other areas.

Some local exemptions may be permanent while others may be granted for a set period of time. In most cases these exemptions are not automatic and you will need to apply.

The list of locally exempt vehicles in the Tyneside - Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone has been finalised and the owners of these categories of vehicle will be able to apply for an exemption.

Please note: There will be a temporary exemption for light goods vehicles (vans), which will not be required to pay Clean Air Zone charges until July 2023, as part of a phased introduction of the zone. There is no need to apply for this exemption as it will be automatically applied to the vehicle.


Showmen’s Guild vehicles

For example – rigid lorry; tractor unit; caravan based on a twin axle; living van.

Along with an application form you are required to provide your V5C registration document, photographs of your vehicle and proof of Showmen’s Guild membership

Typically this exemption would be a permanent one.

Quite. Classic vehicles produce more pollution, but, hey, they're classics ...

Steve

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Meanwhile, best not go where Jeff Bezos and his new yacht(s) are concerned...!

 

[jagmanx]

I do not bother with the motorhome.
Just eat a curry and use my bus pass to go into an LEZ and fart.
Its a nightmare
In France it depends on the weather.
In uk all the towns cities etc have their own rules.
The only answer is too keep out.
Not possible for those who live in a LEZ

 

[mariesnowgoose]

I do not bother with the motorhome.
Just eat a curry and use my bus pass to go into an LEZ and fart.
Its a nightmare
In France it depends on the weather.
In uk all the towns cities etc have their own rules.
The only answer is too keep out.
Not possible for those who live in a LEZ