Around 9.6 million fines have been issued in the UK since 2019 for breaches of emissions zones. The total includes drivers and motorcyclists, with London’s ULEZ forming part of the figure alongside similar schemes in other cities. For anyone riding a motorcycle through a British urban centre, checking whether the vehicle meets the local requirements can have a direct financial consequence.

London’s ULEZ opened in 2019, followed by CAZ schemes in Portsmouth and Bradford. By 2026, the UK had 14 different CAZ locations. Their operating rules are not uniform: some zones require a payment to enter, while others can impose a fine when a non-compliant vehicle crosses the boundary. The broader group includes Clean Air Zones, Low Emission Zones, Zero Emission Zones and London’s ULEZ.

The figures resulted from a Freedom of Information request submitted by MotorEasy. Alongside the headline total, around 300,000 road users have received repeat Penalty Charge Notices since London’s ULEZ and the other emissions zones began. Birmingham is identified as one of the main locations for repeated violations, with approximately 269,793 fines issued between 2021 and 2026. For motorcyclists, checking the rules for each destination before setting out is an important part of planning a ride.