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Drivers face £120 fine for 'not understanding' common road signThe signs can be found in seven UK areasMotoringAnnabal Bagdi Senior reporter15:27, 25 Jan 2025The signs can be found in seven

UK areas Drivers have been warned they could face a £120 fine if they do not familiarise themselves with a common road sign. Some drivers do 'not understand' the signs which means they may

not be aware when a key driving rule starts to apply to them.

The signs indicate when drivers are approaching a Clean Air Zone. They currently operate in seven UK areas.

‌ Mattijs Wijnmalen, CEO of toll regulations and compliance organisation TollwayR, claimed that the ambiguous meaning of the signs may cause drivers to face fines. He said: "Clean Air Zones

are implemented to improve urban air quality, but many drivers are being fined simply because they don’t understand what the signs mean or aren’t aware they need to pay.

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"This creates unnecessary frustration and financial strain, particularly for those travelling into unfamiliar areas." Drivers travelling though Clean Air Zones have to pay a fee, The Sun

reports.

Article continues below It is intended to encourage them to choose a newer, less polluting vehicle. They are currently operated in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield,

and Tynesde (Newcastle and Gateshead).

The ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) in London is the largest Clean Air Zone. Clean Air Signs typically have a dark blue background and a cloud surrounded by a green circle.

They are marked "Clean Air Zone" at the top. They also state how far drivers have to until they will enter the zone.

Article continues below Mr Mattijis said all drivers should to familiarise themselves with the signs. He went on to say that drivers should research the exact areas covered by the

restrictions.

This will help drivers avoid the £60 penalty for failing to comply with the zone’s rules. The charge rises to £120 if not paid more than two weeks.

According to the World Economic Forum, Clean Air Zones help to reduce dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air. It has been suggested that improving air quality will benefit the NHS,

as fewer people will need to be admitted with respiratory problems.