Traffic Filters Trial - Oxford

Oxford’s traffic filter trial will start on Monday 28 September 2026, replacing the temporary congestion charge as a way to reduce traffic in the city.

The traffic filter trial is being introduced using an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO). The ETRO, Notice of Making and Statement of Reasons are now available on this page under Documents (right hand column.)

A six-month consultation will open on 28 September 2026. A survey and more information about the scheme will then be available on this page.

About the traffic filters

The traffic filter trial will operate in a similar way to the temporary congestion charge, with the filters being at the same six locations and a permit scheme in place. The key difference is that, from 28 September, car drivers will no longer be able to pay the £5 congestion charge to go through the traffic filters. Cars with valid permits and all other vehicles can travel through the filters at all times.

Traffic filter locations and operating days and times

You can view an online map of the traffic filter locations or maps of individual traffic filters under Documents on this site.

Affected and exempt vehicles

The traffic filters only apply to cars (and motorhomes classed as M1). Your vehicle is automatically exempt from the traffic filter restrictions if it is not a car (M1). This includes:

• motorbikes and mopeds
• vans, HGVs and lorries
• buses and coaches

Certain cars are also automatically exempt:

• emergency services
• military
• highway and utility works (in certain circumstances)

Free permits

Permits are available to allow some cars (M1) to travel through the traffic filters during their hours of operation. All permits are free.

The traffic filter permits are 'virtual'. You will not receive a physical permit to display in your car. The cameras at the traffic filter point will read your number plate and check for a valid permit.

As a resident, you may qualify for a permit that gives you day passes:

• Oxford permit area (100 free day passes)
• Oxfordshire permit area (25 free day passes)

Permits are also available for the following groups:

• Blue Badge holders
• Organisational Blue Badge holder
• Disabled tax class vehicle
• Personal car used by community health or care worker
• Organisational shared cars (pool cars)
• School car used for home-to-school transport
• Unpaid carer
• Frequent hospital patient
• Disability benefit claimant
• School student with special educational needs (SEND)
• Firefighters
• Hackney carriage or private hire vehicle
• Car clubs
• Business car used as a goods vehicle
• Personal car used as a goods vehicle
• Approved driving instructor
• Hearse or funeral car
• Magistrates

Further information on the traffic filters scheme can be found here.

What is an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order?

Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETRO) are used when it is difficult to assess the impacts of the scheme beforehand. In an ETRO, the council introduces the scheme as a trial first. There is then a six-month consultation period after the scheme is introduced when the public can see for themselves the impact of the scheme, and the council can monitor its impacts.

The ETRO may remain in force for a maximum of 18 months, before which a decision will be made as to whether or how to continue the scheme.