Oxford traffic filters: Permit terms and conditions

General terms and conditions

By applying for a traffic filter permit, you must read, agree with, and accept all of the terms and conditions set out below.

1. A valid traffic filter permit gives you permission to travel through the traffic filters for vehicles nominated on the permit. This means vehicles nominated on a valid permit can be driven through or within all six traffic filters at the locations shown at Annex 1.
2. A traffic filter permit is only required to drive a car through or within the traffic filters during their hours of operation. No permit is needed to drive any other type of vehicle through or within the traffic filters.
3. “Car” means a power-driven vehicle having at least four wheels used for the carriage of passengers and comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat.
4. A traffic filter permit only allows you to drive through or within the six traffic filters at the locations shown at Annex 1. It does not allow you to park on street, or drive through existing bus gates, low traffic neighbourhoods or any other traffic restrictions, including the temporary congestion charge which will be in force until it is replaced by the traffic filters.
5. You must support your application by providing the documentation required for each type of permit.
6. You can hold more than one type of permit, but you can only hold one of each type of permit at any one time.
7. We reserve the right to request at any time any documents to check that you continue to meet the permit requirements.
8. You must notify us immediately if any of your relevant details change, or you no longer require a permit, by logging onto your account via the online portal and making the necessary change.
9. The Council can withdraw or cancel a permit at any time if you breach any of the terms and conditions.
10. All permits are free of charge and will be valid for 12 months unless stated otherwise, or until termination of the traffic filter scheme.
11. To apply for some types of permits you’ll need to be the registered keeper of the car which means you’ll need to be the person named on the car’s V5C (logbook) issued by DVLA. If you have a company car or your car is on a long-term lease, hire purchase or other finance arrangement and you are not named on the V5C, you’ll need to provide evidence that the car is kept exclusively for your use. In the remainder of these terms and conditions the term ‘registered keeper’ is used to refer to the person or organisation that has exclusive use of the vehicle (or use with members of their household in the case of a person), whether or not they or their employer / a lease or finance company are named on the V5C as registered keeper.
12. For other types of permits, the car will just need to be registered at your home address. This means the address of the registered keeper shown on the V5C will need to be the same as your home address (but again, we can accept applications for company/leased/hire purchased cars, if you provide the required evidence).
13. Where these terms and conditions allow a parent or legal guardian to apply on behalf of an eligible person, this only applies if the eligible person is 18 years of age or under.
14. The Council has the right to refuse an application, should it not meet the requirements for a permit to be issued.
15. It is the responsibility of the applicant to apply for their permit in good time, allowing enough time for the application to be processed. This includes renewals and change of vehicle. We aim to process applications within 10 working days, but during busy periods it may take longer.
16. A pending application for a traffic filter permit does not allow free access through or within the traffic filters. Only upon confirmation of your permit being issued will you be able to proceed through or within the traffic filters.
17. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the permit details are correct.
18. Failure to abide by one or more of the terms and conditions herein may lead to prosecution and the permit being withdrawn.
19. Oxfordshire County Council wishes to prevent fraudulent applications. If you know of or suspect fraud, in the first instance please contact the ANPR Enforcement team.
20. The Council may from time to time, in the normal exercise of its duties, need to restrict access through or within a traffic filter (subject to normal traffic regulation order processes, where applicable).

The following terms and conditions are specific to the permit for which you are applying. They should be read in conjunction with the general terms and conditions above.

Oxford permit area resident

Vehicle image storage and usage

By registering your vehicle(s) for a traffic filter resident permit, you agree to the following terms regarding the storage and usage of images:

1. Image capture and storage: still and/or moving images of your registered vehicle(s) proceeding through or within traffic filter(s) will be captured and stored within your account under the relevant permit.
2. Purpose of image storage: These images are stored to support the automatic deduction of your pass allowance and to provide a history of your usage.
3. Retention period: Images will be retained for up to 28 days after the expiration of your permit. After this period, the images will be permanently deleted from our system.

Your privacy is important to us, and these images will be securely stored and only accessible to you and authorised personnel.

In order to qualify for an Oxford Permit Area resident permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you must live within the Oxford Permit Area (see Annex 2)
• you must be the registered keeper of the car you are applying for

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per person. You can add up to 3 cars to your permit (all of which must be registered to you, at your home address). Any car proceeding through or within a traffic filter for the first time on any day will cause a day pass to be deducted. For example, if two cars, on the same permit, proceed through or within a traffic filter during the operating hours on the same day, two day passes will be deducted.

Each day pass allows you to drive through or within all six traffic filters until 23:59:59 on the day on which the day pass was activated by a vehicle specified on the permit proceeding through or within a traffic filter.

There is a limit of 3 permits per eligible address.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. During those 12 months your permit allows access through or within the traffic filters on 100 days (per permit and not per vehicle). You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

If you do not use your allowance within the 12 month period, unused days will not be carried over to the next year.

Oxfordshire permit area resident

Vehicle image storage and usage

By registering your vehicle(s) for a traffic filter resident permit, you agree to the following terms regarding the storage and usage of images:

1. Image capture and storage: still and/or moving images of your registered vehicle(s) proceeding through or within traffic filters will be captured and stored within your account under the relevant permit.
2. Purpose of image storage: These images are stored to support the automatic deduction of your pass allowance and to provide a history of your usage.
3. Retention period: Images will be retained for up to 28 days after the expiration of your permit. After this period, the images will be permanently deleted from our system.

Your privacy is important to us, and these images will be securely stored and only accessible to you and authorised personnel.

In order to qualify for an Oxfordshire Permit Area resident permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you must live within the Oxfordshire Permit Area (i.e. the area of the county of Oxfordshire excluding the Oxford Permit Area – see Annex 3)
• you must be the registered keeper of the car you are applying for

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per person. You can add up to 3 cars to your permit (all of which must be registered to you, at your home address). Any car proceeding through or within a traffic filter for the first time on any day will cause a day pass to be deducted. For example, if two cars, on the same permit, proceed through or within a traffic filter during the operating hours on the same day, two-day passes will be deducted.

Each day pass allows you to drive through or within all six traffic filters until 23:59:59 on the day on which the day pass was activated by a vehicle specified on the permit proceeding through or within a traffic filter.

There is a limit of 2 permits per eligible address.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. During those 12 months your permit allows access through or within the traffic filters on 25 days (per permit and not per vehicle). You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

If you do not use your allowance within the 12 month period, unused days will not be carried over to the next year.

Blue Badge holders

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criterion.

• you or your child (if you are the parent or legal guardian) hold a valid Blue Badge (or international equivalent)

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per person, and a maximum of 2 vehicles per permit. You do not need to be the registered keeper of the vehicles that are associated with your permit.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months (or until the blue badge expiry date if sooner than 12 months). You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

You will not be eligible if you have an expired badge or if you are in the process of applying for/renewing a badge.

You cannot apply for this permit if you already hold a School student with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) permit or a Disability benefit recipient permit.

Only one permit will be issued per blue badge holder.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, the transport of a blue badge holder.

Organisational Blue Badge holder

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criterion.

• your organisation must hold a valid organisational Blue Badge (or international equivalent)

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per organisation, and no limit on the number of cars per permit. You do not need to be the registered keeper of the vehicles that are associated with your permit.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months (or until the blue badge expiry date if sooner than 12 months). You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

You will not be eligible if you have an expired badge or if you are in the process of applying for/renewing a badge.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, the transport of a blue badge holder.

Disabled tax class

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• your vehicle has a disabled tax class status
• you must be the registered keeper of the car you are applying for

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per applicant, and a maximum of 2 vehicles per permit.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months (or until the tax on your vehicle expires if sooner than 12 months). You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, the transport of a blue badge holder or a mobility-related disability benefit recipient.

Personal car used by a community health or care worker

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you are using your vehicle for operational work purposes, on behalf of a qualifying provider (including voluntary workers) 
  1. to provide clinical health services or social care services at multiple locations in the Oxford Permit Area on the same day; or 
  2. urgently and at short notice travel to a location in the Oxford Permit Area to deal with any matter involving patient, student or staff welfare, or building security or safety; or 
  3. transport patients to or from any hospital or healthcare facility in the Oxford Permit Area
• you must be the registered keeper of the car for which you are applying, or the car for which you are applying must be registered to your home address

The qualifying provider that you work for must fall under one of the following categories:

• a registered Healthcare Provider providing services in Oxfordshire
• relevant Provider of Social Care Services (this includes some voluntary organisations)

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per applicant, and a maximum of 3 cars per permit. You may add up to three cars to your account for use with this permit, but only one car can be used on any day. Note, only the car that is set as active at the end of the day (23:59:59) will be covered by the permit. If you use the other cars to travel through a traffic filter, the registered keeper may receive a Penalty Charge Notice.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, the operational purposes listed above.

Organisational shared cars (pool cars)

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you must be a business or organisation that regularly operates within the Oxford Permit Area
• your organisation uses shared cars for operational work purposes
• your organisation must be the registered keeper of the car for which you are applying

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is no limit on the number of cars.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, operational purposes on behalf of your organisation or business.

School car used for home-to-school transport

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you must be applying on behalf of a school using a car with at least 6 seats in addition to the driver's seat to provide shared home-to-school transport
• the car(s) you are applying for is/are regularly used by your school for the above purpose
• the registered keeper of the car(s) for which you are applying must be the school to which the permit relates

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per school, with no maximum limit on the number of vehicles.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

The permit must not be used for any purpose other than home-to-school transport.

Unpaid carers

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you must be providing unpaid social care to someone who lives within the Oxford Permit Area OR you must live within the Oxford Permit Area and be providing unpaid social care to someone living at any address within Oxfordshire
• you must be the registered keeper of the car for which you are applying, or the car for which you are applying must be registered at your home address

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

The person who you're caring for must not live at your address.

There is a limit of 1 permit per applicant. Up to 2 permits can be issued per care recipient address, with a maximum of one car per permit.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, providing unpaid care in accordance with the permit.

Frequent hospital patient

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criterion:

• you or your child (if you are the parent or legal guardian) are required to attend a hospital in the Oxford Permit Area for planned medical appointments on at least three separate occasions in any 90 day period

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per applicant, and a maximum of 2 cars per permit.

Only one permit will be issued per frequent hospital patient.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, the transport of the person attending frequent hospital appointments.

Disability benefit recipient

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you or your child (if you are the parent or legal guardian) must be in receipt of the mobility part of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or the Armed Forces Independence Payment

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per person, and a maximum of 2 cars per permit.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months (or until your benefit expires if sooner than 12 months). You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

You will not be eligible if you have an expired benefit or if you are in the process of applying for the benefit.

You cannot apply for this permit if you already hold a School student with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) permit or a Blue Badge holder permit. Only one permit will be issued per disability benefit claimant.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, the transport of the person receiving mobility-related disability benefits.

School student with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND)

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you must be the parent or legal guardian of a student who either lives within the Oxford Permit Area and is attending school outside of said area, or a student who is attending a school situated within the Oxford Permit Area
• the student must receive special educational provision on the grounds of their special educational needs or disabilities
• the car for which you are applying must be used to provide transport for the student, to and from the school

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per applicant, and a maximum of 2 cars per permit.

You cannot apply for this permit if you already hold a Disability benefit recipient permit or a Blue badge holder permit.

Only one permit will be issued per eligible student.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, the transport of a qualifying student.

Firefighters

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you must be a firefighter employed by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
• you must use your vehicle within the Oxford Permit Area for operational/business travel or for emergency response purposes
• you must be the registered keeper of the car for which you are applying, or the car must be registered at your home address

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per applicant, and a maximum of 3 cars per permit. You may add up to three cars to your account for use with this permit, but only one car can be used on any day. Note, only the car that is set as active at the end of the day (23:59:59) will be covered by the permit. If you use the other cars to travel through the traffic filter, the registered keeper may receive a Penalty Charge Notice.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, the operational purposes listed above.

Hackney carriage or private hire vehicle

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you must hold a valid Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle Licence
• you (or the operator you work for) must be the registered keeper of the car you are applying for
• any car for which you apply must be a Hackney carriage vehicle or licensed private hire vehicle

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per person, with no maximum limit on the number of cars.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months (or until the licence expiry date if sooner than 12 months). You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying priorto the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

You will not be able to apply for a permit if you have an expired licence or if you are in the process for applying for or renewing your licence. Only valid licences will be accepted as sufficient evidence.

Car clubs

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you must be a car club company accredited by CoMoUK
• your company must be the registered keeper of the car(s) for which you are applying

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is no limit on the number of cars.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

Business car used as a goods vehicle

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you must be a business that regularly operates within the Oxford Permit Area and needs to carry (using a car) goods, tools or equipment that are necessary for operational business purposes and cannot reasonably be transported by foot, cycle, or public transport
• the car(s) you are applying for is/are regularly used by you for the purposes above and insured for business use
• the registered keeper of the car for which you are applying must be the business to which the permit relates

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per business, with no maximum limit on the number of cars.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, the operational business purposes listed above.

Personal car used as goods vehicle

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you must be a paid or unpaid employee of a business, organisation or individual
• you must regularly work in the Oxford Permit Area and need to transport (using a car) goods, tools or equipment that are necessary for operational work purposes and cannot reasonably be transported by foot, cycle, or public transport
• the car you are applying for is regularly used by you for the purposes above and insured for business use
• you must be the registered keeper of the car for which you are applying or the car must be registered at your home address

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per person, and a maximum of 1 vehicle per permit.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, the operational business purposes listed above.

Approved driving instructor

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you must be an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) registered with the DVSA
• you or the driving school you work for must be the registered keeper of the car you are applying for

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per person, and a maximum of 3 cars per permit.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, the provision of driving instruction or conducting a driving test.

Vehicles used for driving tests at Oxford Driving Test Centre

Oxford Driving Test Centre may apply for a permit, which may be used to designate any car being used for a driving test starting at Oxford Driving Test Centre as a permitted vehicle for the day on which the driving test is conducted.

When so designated, the car may be driven through or within all six traffic filters until 23:59:59 on the day on which the vehicle was designated.

Oxford Driving Test Centre must provide evidence of the eligibility of the car concerned by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website, and must ensure the eligible car is designated no later than 23:59:59 on the day on which it is used for the driving test.

A permit of this type will be valid for 12 months from the date on which it is issued and cannot be used until the Council provides confirmation that the permit application has been approved. If an application for a permit is made prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, the permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

There is no maximum limit on the number of cars that may be designated as permitted vehicles under this permit, but the same car may not be designated as a permitted vehicle more than 5 times during the 12 month validity period of the permit.

Hearse or funeral car

In order to qualify for this permit, you must meet the following criteria.

• you must be a funeral care business
• your business must be the registered keeper of the hearse(s) and/or funeral car(s) for which you are applying
• the cars for which you are applying for are used solely or primarily for funeral purposes

You must provide evidence of your eligibility by such means as the Council may reasonably require and will specify on its website.

There is a limit of 1 permit per business, with no maximum limit on the number of cars.

Your permit will be valid for 12 months. You will not be able to use the permit until you receive confirmation that your application has been approved. If you are applying prior to the traffic filters coming into effect, your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.

A car nominated for use with this permit may be driven through or within the traffic filters only when being used for, or in connection with, transport to and from funeral venues.

Annex 1 – Traffic filter locations

A zoomable version is also available.

• Hythe Bridge Street traffic filter – Monday to Sunday, 7am to 7pm.
• Thames Street traffic filter – Monday to Sunday, 7am to 7pm.
• St Cross Road traffic filter – Monday to Sunday, 7am to 7pm.
• St Clements traffic filter – Monday to Sunday, 7am to 7pm.
• Hollow Way traffic filter – Monday to Saturday (not Sunday), 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm.
• Marston Ferry Road traffic filter – Monday to Saturday (not Sunday), 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm.

Map showing all the traffic filter locations

© Crown copyright and database rights 2026 Ordnance Survey 0100023343.

Map showing Hythe Bridge Street traffic filter

Map showing Thames Street traffic filter

Map showing St Cross Road traffic filter

Map showing St Clements traffic filter

Map showing Hollow Way traffic filter

Map showing Marston Ferry Road traffic filter

Annex 2 – Oxford permit area

A zoomable version is also available.

Map showing the Oxford permit area

© Crown copyright and database rights 2026 Ordnance Survey 0100023343.

Annex 3 – Oxfordshire permit area

A zoomable version is also available.

Map showing the Oxfordshire permit area

© Crown copyright and database rights 2025 Ordnance Survey 0100023343.