Crit’Air clean air stickers a guide for driving in France

Clean air stickers This is a guide for driving in France Low low-emission zones

Crit’Air clean air stickers are a guide for driving in France. We recently bought our certificate for travel in France. It does not cost much and you can also use it in Spain. (not that Spain has many zones yet) as we go to press only Barcelona has a zone. Feb 2023, but more towns and cities should have implemented the zones, They have missed the European launch day target. So my thinking is, buy one and see what happens. Maybe the Sat Nav will have the Clean air zones on soon? I looked at Italy and it looks like a complicated system. I have a bipandgo for the road tolls, this works in several countries. Subscriptions are valid in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Maybe they will bring in a clean air charge and then charge the bipandgo machine?

As concerns about air pollution continue to grow worldwide, France has implemented a new system to help drivers reduce their carbon footprint and protect the environment.

This system is known as the Crit’Air clean air sticker, and it is now mandatory for all vehicles driving within certain areas of France. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the Crit’Air system and drive safely and legally in France.

What is the Crit’Air clean air sticker?

The Crit’Air clean air sticker is a coloured sticker that must be displayed on all vehicles when driving within certain areas of France, including Paris, Grenoble, and Lyon. The sticker indicates the age and environmental impact of the vehicle and is used to determine which vehicles are allowed to drive in restricted zones during periods of high pollution.

There are six different Crit’Air stickers, each with a different colour and number. The colour of the sticker corresponds to the level of pollution emitted by the vehicle, with green being the least polluting and grey being the most polluting. The number on the sticker indicates the vehicle’s European Emissions Standard, with “1” being the cleanest and “6” being the dirtiest.

Which vehicles need a Crit’Air clean air sticker?

All vehicles, including cars, vans, buses, trucks, and motorcycles, are required to display a Crit’Air clean air sticker when driving within the designated areas of France. This includes both French and foreign vehicles.

How do I get a Crit’Air clean air sticker?

You can purchase a Crit’Air clean air sticker online through the official Crit’Air website. To order a sticker, you will need to provide your vehicle registration number, the date of first registration, and information about the vehicle’s fuel type and European Emissions Standard. The sticker costs €4.80, including shipping to any country within the European Union.

It is important to note that it can sometimes take up to four weeks for the sticker to arrive, so it is recommended that you order your sticker well in advance of your trip to France. Ours arrived in under a week of ordering.

Where do I need to display my Crit’Air clean air sticker?

Your Crit’Air clean air sticker must be displayed on the lower right-hand corner of your vehicle’s windshield. The sticker should be visible from the outside of the vehicle and should not be obstructed by anything, such as a sun visor or dashboard ornament.

What are the fines for not displaying a Crit’Air clean air sticker?

If you are caught driving within the designated areas of France without a Crit’Air clean air sticker, you may be fined up to €135. This fine can be reduced to €68 if paid within 45 days.

What happens if my vehicle is too old to qualify for a Crit’Air clean air sticker?

If your vehicle is too old to qualify for a Crit’Air clean air sticker, you will not be allowed to drive in the designated areas of France during periods of high pollution. It is important to check the pollution levels and restrictions in advance of your trip and plan your route accordingly.

What is a low-emission zone?

Low mobility emission zones (ZFE-m) were created to improve air quality. This is to protect the health of residents of cities and major metropolitan areas where air pollution is high. Within the perimeter of a ZFE-m, only the least polluting vehicles (according to their Crit’Air sticker certificate) have the right to circulate there.

To drive in low emission zones during restriction periods you will need to know the Crit’Air class of your vehicle. You can check compatibility with ZFE-m rules;

Is the Crit’Air vignette compulsory?

The Crit’air sticker is essential for driving in areas with low mobility emissions. If the vehicle category (cars, trucks, etc.) is affected by the restrictions in force and the days of differentiated circulation. All road vehicles, with the exception of agricultural and construction machinery, are concerned: with cars, trucks, buses, coaches, two-wheelers, utility vehicles, etc.

Cities affected by m-ZFEs

Low-emission zones have been set up in 11 places

• Grenoble
• Lyons
• Rouen
• Reims
• Nice
• Toulouse
• Saint Etienne
• Marseilles
• Montpellier
• Strasbourg
• in the application of the “climate and resilience” law, some thirty other agglomerations are required to set up a ZFE-m by 2025 (agglomerations located in mainland France with more than 150,000 inhabitants)

What happens if an unauthorized vehicle drives in a ZFE-m?

If a vehicle concerned by the restrictions put in place circulates in a ZFE-m or during a differentiated traffic period, the driver is liable to a fixed fine of :

• €68 for cars and two-wheelers;
• €135 for trucks, buses and coaches.

Local authorities can enact local derogations from the restriction measures according to the criteria that they define beyond the cases of exemptions provided for at the national level (in particular with regard to vehicles displaying a mobility inclusion card).

Order your Crit’Air sticker (air quality certificate)

Order your Crit’Air sticker on the official French government website

You will need

A legible photo or scan of your registration certificate.

A credit card for payment Cards accepted: Carte Bleue, Visa, Mastercard or Paypal (only for vehicles registered abroad).

Crit’Air categories 

Green – Crit’Air E (zero emissions – electric and hydrogen vehicles)

Purple – Crit’Air 1 (gas and rechargeable hybrid vehicles)

Yellow – Crit’Air 2 (Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles)

Orange – Crit’Air 3 (Euro 4 vehicles)

Burgundy – Crit’Air 4 (Euro 3 vehicles)

Dark Grey – Crit’Air 5 (Euro 2 vehicles)

How long does a Crit’Air sticker last?

A Crit’Air vignette is valid for the lifetime of the vehicle. This means that as long as the sticker is legible, it’s valid. But towns and cities may require you to pay to go into their zone if they heighten their Clean air zones.

Conclusion

The Crit’Air clean air sticker is an important tool in France’s efforts to reduce air pollution and protect the environment. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that you are driving safely and legally in France and doing your part to help improve air quality. I hope this article Crit’Air clean air stickers a guide for driving in France helps you on your trip to France.

Toll Roads France Spain Portugal Italy – Pay As You Go

Bip and Go help you through the Toll Roads in France Spain Portugal Italy.

Bip and Go electronic toll payment subscription

Read about Toll Roads in France Spain Portugal Italy – Pay As You Go with Bip and Go

For the Love of Travel – More Campervan Holiday Reviews France