Permits needed for driving larger motorhomes in Bath

Bath’s Clean Air Zone will be coming into effect on 15 March 2021, which will mean a charging system for vehicles (including motorhomes) that exceed the city’s emissions standards, which are diesel vehicles rated Euro 5 or lower and petrol-powered vehicles rated Euro 3 or lower.

Campervans that are registered as M1 vehicles are exempt (this may apply to some car-derived campervans) from a charge. However, most small campervans and motorhomes under 3.5 tonnes (classed as N1), will have to pay a £9 daily charge if they don’t meet the emissions standards.

Drivers of all PHGV (private heavy goods vehicles) may also pay a £9 per day permit charge instead of the normal £100 fee, but they must apply in advance and be registered with the council’s scheme. Once registered, they must pay for each journey using MiPermit. There is no expiry for this discount, but details will need to be registered with the council each year.

Bath and North East Somerset Council told us: “Drivers should check their vehicle to see if their vehicle will be charged, and then (if charges apply) anyone wanting to register their motorhome will be able to do so from mid-November. 

“Once a motorhome is registered with Bath & North East Somerset Council for a discount, trips into the centre of Bath must be paid for within seven days via the council’s MiPermit service (rather than using the GOV.UK central CAZ service which is where you pay for regular journeys). Full details will be provided when people apply for the discount.”