Crit'Air Stickers for France's Low Emission Zones
2nd May 2023
As at 1st January 2023 France had a dozen low emission zones in operation with this number set to more than treble over the next year and a half
Drivers and motorcyclists wishing to enter a low emission zone listed below must display a French Crit'Air sticker which certifies how polluting your car is (Category 1 = good, 5 = bad). Non compliance may result in a fine of up to 450 euros and your vehicle may be seized
At present vehicles without Crit'Air stickers, including foreign registered cars and bikes, those with Category 5 vehicles (pre-2001 diesels cars plus pre-2006 diesel buses and HGVs) and all vehicles first registered prior to 1996 may not enter these zones:
Aix-Marseille, Toulon, Lyon, Toulouse, Rouen, Nice, Montpelier, Strasburg, Grenoble, Reims, Saint Etienne and Greater Paris (shown in dark blue on the map)
In times of high air pollution the authorities in low emission zones can also ban vehicles of specified Crit'Air categories and all vehicles without stickers
Going forward In the next 18 months all 42 of the towns and cities shown on the map will progressively become low emission zones by 1 January 2025
The categories of vehicles caught by the ban to enter these low emission zones will also expand and starting 1st January 2024 it will also apply to Crit'air category 4 vehicles (pre-2006 diesel cars) and from 1st January 2025 will apply to category 3 vehicles (pre-2011 diesels and pre-2006 petrol cars) too
Drivers and motorcyclists wishing to enter a low emission zone listed below must display a French Crit'Air sticker which certifies how polluting your car is (Category 1 = good, 5 = bad). Non compliance may result in a fine of up to 450 euros and your vehicle may be seized
At present vehicles without Crit'Air stickers, including foreign registered cars and bikes, those with Category 5 vehicles (pre-2001 diesels cars plus pre-2006 diesel buses and HGVs) and all vehicles first registered prior to 1996 may not enter these zones:
Aix-Marseille, Toulon, Lyon, Toulouse, Rouen, Nice, Montpelier, Strasburg, Grenoble, Reims, Saint Etienne and Greater Paris (shown in dark blue on the map)
In times of high air pollution the authorities in low emission zones can also ban vehicles of specified Crit'Air categories and all vehicles without stickers
Going forward In the next 18 months all 42 of the towns and cities shown on the map will progressively become low emission zones by 1 January 2025
The categories of vehicles caught by the ban to enter these low emission zones will also expand and starting 1st January 2024 it will also apply to Crit'air category 4 vehicles (pre-2006 diesel cars) and from 1st January 2025 will apply to category 3 vehicles (pre-2011 diesels and pre-2006 petrol cars) too
How to obtain your Crit'Air windscreen sticker: Please note you should only apply from the website below as scammers abound. I'm happy to help guests apply if they're unsure
Applying is a straightforward process and can be done online. All you need is a PDF or .JPG photo of your vehicle registration document (logbook) with a file size of less than 2MB then go to https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/ and click on the 'Vehicle registered abroad' tab (top right) and Order. The total cost is 4,61 euros including postage to the UK and the sticker is valid for the life of the vehicle
You will receive an email confirmation and your sticker should arrive in the next 10 to 14 days. You should affix your sticker in the lower right hand corner of your windscreen (seen from inside)
Applying is a straightforward process and can be done online. All you need is a PDF or .JPG photo of your vehicle registration document (logbook) with a file size of less than 2MB then go to https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/ and click on the 'Vehicle registered abroad' tab (top right) and Order. The total cost is 4,61 euros including postage to the UK and the sticker is valid for the life of the vehicle
You will receive an email confirmation and your sticker should arrive in the next 10 to 14 days. You should affix your sticker in the lower right hand corner of your windscreen (seen from inside)
