| If you are planning to drive to France from the UK with your car then it is important to be aware of the country’s low emission zones and Crit’Air stickers, which at present are rather complicated and confusing!
Crit’Air stickers are used to identify a vehicle’s emissions levels and, in some cases, restrict its access in order to improve air quality.
British drivers heading to France are advised that driving without a sticker, called a Crit’Air vignette – which costs just €3.81 (including postage) per vehicle – makes them culpable for an on-the-spot fine of up to €180.
To make sure you’re as clued up as possible about all things Crit’Air before your trip to France, here’s everything you need to know –
MOST IMPORTANT TO KNOW – If your car is older than 1997 – You will not be eligible for a CritAir Sticker. Cars older than 1997 are banned from Crit’Air Zones which usually operate Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm. These days and times are a guide only and vary from town to town and their implementation can also depend on pollution levels. At present it is only larger cities such as Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux that are enforcing this.
If your car is newer than 1997 you will need to apply online for the relevant sticker – please be aware of scam sites and only use the site as detailed below.
The French government are considering an exemption for pre-1997 cars and working on a sticker to reflect this, but this is not in place yet!
Classic GT will design future tours to avoid these town centres as far as we possibly can.
What are Crit’Air vignettes (French ‘clean air’ stickers)?
French clean air stickers – called Crit’Air vignettes – are used to identify a vehicle’s air pollutant emissions. The least polluting vehicles are generally allowed to circulate (be driven) more freely than those that emit more pollutants. A sticker covers the vehicle for its entire lifetime, and is based on the vehicle’s Euro emissions standard.
There are six categories in the Crit’Air vignette system. These range from green for the cleanest through to dark grey for the dirtiest:
Crit’Air sticker categories
- Crit’Air 0/E – for zero emission electric and hydrogen vehicles – green sticker
- Crit’Air 1 – for plug-in hybrid vehicles and Euro 5, 6 petrol vehicles – purple sticker
- Crit’Air 2 – for vehicles that conform to the Euro 4 petrol vehicles, and Euro 5, 6 diesel vehicles – yellow sticker
- Crit’Air 3 – for vehicles that conform to the Euro 2, 3 petrol vehicles and Euro 4 diesel vehicles – orange sticker
- Crit’Air 4 – for vehicles that conform to the Euro 3 diesel vehicles – burgundy sticker
- Crit’Air 5 – for vehicles that conform to the Euro 2 diesel vehicles – dark grey sticker
Why have Crit’Air stickers been introduced in France?
The system has been introduced by the French government as a way to reduce harmful vehicle emissions in areas where air quality is poorest, such as larger towns and cities.
In these areas, certain vehicles can be refused entry based on the Crit’Air sticker displayed on the windscreen – either all the time or on certain days where air pollution levels are dangerously high.
There are currently two different types of government-defined low emissions zones in France:
- Permanent low-emission zones (known as ZCR – Zone à Circulation Restreinte)
- Temporary emergency low-emissions zones (known as ZPA – Zone de la Protection de l’Air)
In addition, certain French towns and cities now have emergency schemes that can restrict certain vehicles in the event of particularly high pollution.
If driving in any of these zones, a Crit’Air sticker should be affixed to the right-hand side of the car’s windscreen and should be clearly visible at all times.
Do I need a Crit’Air vignette?
All eligible vehicles need to display a Crit’Air vignette on their windscreen to be able to drive and park in restricted traffic zones, such as permanent low-emissions zones and emergency low-emissions zones.
Not all vehicles are eligible for the vignettes. Cars registered before January 1997 and motorbikes and scooters registered before June 2000 are ineligible, and cannot be driven at all where restrictions apply.
Restrictions are also in place for trucks and buses registered before 2001.
Check your vehicle’s Euro emissions standard to find out which sticker you’ll need.
Which towns and cities in France need a Crit’Air sticker?
French low emission zones (ZCRs)
Permanent low emissions zones (known as ZCRs) restrict access (both for driving and parking) to certain vehicles based on their Crit’Air vignette, only allowing access for those displaying a certain category.
These restrictions are in place permanently (usually between certain hours and/or on certain days) and all vehicles seeking entry will need to physically display a sticker regardless of their category, or risk landing a fine.
As of December 2024, ZCRs that might affect drivers arriving from the UK are currently implemented in the following locations in France:
- Aix-Marseille-Provence region
- Bordeaux
- Clermont-Ferrand
- Grenoble
- Lille
- Lyon
- Nice
- Marseille
- Montpellier
- Paris
- Reims
- Rouen
- Strasbourg
- Saint-Etienne
- Toulouse
Paris low-emissions zone – Crit’Air Paris
The French capital actually has two permanent low-emissions zones in place – the Greater Paris ZCR and the Central Paris ZCR.
The Central Paris ZCR (also known as the City of Paris ZCR) was France’s first low-emissions zone. The ZCR was introduced back in September 2015 and currently covers the entire area within the Boulevard Périphérique ring-road.
From July 2023, more stringent rules have been introduced in the ZCR, meaning that only vehicles displaying Crit’Air vignettes E, 1 or 2 are allowed to enter the city between 0800 and 2000, Monday to Friday. From January 2024, the scheme becomes more restricted with all diesel vehicles set to be banned from entering and only vehicles displaying Crit’Air E or 1 vignettes being permitted. A zero-emissons zone is planned for 2030.
The Greater Paris ZCR (also known as a ZPE – Zone à Faibles Emissions) is a permanent low-emissions zone established in July 2019 that largely corresponds to the area within the city’s A86 ‘outer’ ring road.
In participating areas, only vehicles displaying Crit’Air vignettes E, 1 and 2 are allowed to enter between 0800 and 2000 from Monday to Friday. From 2024, diesel vehicles are banned and only cars with Crit’Air 1 vignettes will be valid.
French emergency low emission zone (ZPA)
As opposed to ZCRs, emergency low emissions zones (known as ZPAs) are temporary restrictions imposed on certain vehicles. These are implemented in certain locations when there is a risk of dangerously high air pollution levels.
These areas tend to be significantly larger than the permanent zones, and all vehicles must display a vignette when public announcements dictate that restrictions are in place, or face a fine.
There are currently the areas where emergency low emission zones are implemented during certain conditions:
France ZPA zones
- Paris
- Annecy
- Chambery
- Arve Valley
- Côte d’Or/Dijon
- Creuse/Guéret
- Deux-Sèvres/Niort
- Drôme/Valence
- Eure-et-Loir/Chartres
- Gers/Auch
- Gironde/Bordeaux
- Grenoble
- Haute-Savoie/Annecy
- Hérault/Montpelier
- Isère/Grenoble
- Lille
- Loiret/Orléans
- Lyon
- Maine-et-Loire
- Marseille
- Puy-de-Dome/Clermont Ferrand
- Pyrénées-Atlantiques
- Rennes
- Savoie/Chambery
- Strasbourg
- Toulouse
- Vendée/La Rouche-sur-Yon
- Vienne/Poitiers
However, this situation could change quickly as more cities and departments introduce low-emission zones in response to weather conditions, so check the Urban Access Regulations website before setting off.
How do I know I’m driving into a low emissions zone in France?
The signs below indicate where a ZCR starts and finishes:
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