Crit’Air stickers: a guide for car, motorhome, and campervan owners
By Alan Boswell Group
There’s something magical about arriving in France in your car, motorhome, or campervan. Whether you plan to head for a city break, lose yourself in the countryside or head towards the mountains, the world’s your oyster.
While France is known for excellent autoroutes, there’s also a flip side to driving in this country. Many cities get highly congested. In Paris in 2022, drivers lost an average of 109 hours per year in traffic jams. That figure was 95 hours in Bordeaux and 83 in Lyon. Even in Toulouse and Nice, drivers lost 53 hours per year stuck in traffic.
Congested cities exacerbate pollution. As you can see from European Environment Agency figures, poor air quality – while improving – is a major issue. In France in 2017, the Government introduced a scheme to help reduce traffic emissions and pollution. Since then, all vehicles – including those from the UK – have had to display a valid Crit’Air anti-pollution sticker to drive in certain zones. In this article, we explore the Crit’Air scheme and help you ensure you don’t fall foul of the rules.
What is Crit’Air?
Crit’Air is a vehicle classification system. When you apply to it, you’ll be given a windscreen sticker (or ‘vignette’) based on the Euro emissions standard of your car, motorhome, or campervan. If the emissions standard isn’t known, the sticker is assigned based on when your vehicle was first registered.
What are the Crit’Air vehicle classifications?
The six Crit’Air vehicle classifications for cars are as follows. Motorhomes over 3.5T are classified as a heavy goods vehicle – the classifications for this can be found here.
Green sticker (Crit’Air 0/E). 100% electric or hydrogen-fuelled vehicles.
Purple sticker (Crit’Air 1). Vehicles fuelled by LPG or NGV gas, plug-in hybrid cars, or petrol vehicles that conform to Euro 5 or 6 standards (or were first registered on or after 1st January 2011).
Yellow sticker (Crit’Air 2). Petrol vehicles that conform to the Euro 4 standard (or were registered between 1st January 2006 and 31st December 2010). Diesel vehicles that meet Euro 5 or 6 standards (or were registered on or after 1st January 2011).
Orange sticker (Crit’Air 3). Petrol vehicles that conform to the Euro 2 or 3 standards (or were registered between 1st January 1997 and 31st December 2005). Diesel vehicles that meet the Euro 4 standard (or were registered between 1st January 2006 and 31st December 2010).
Brown sticker (Crit’Air 4). Diesel vehicles that meet the Euro 3 standard (or were registered between 1st January 2001 and 31st December 2005).
Grey sticker (Crit’Air 5). Diesel vehicles that meet the Euro 2 standard (or were registered between 1st January 1997 and 31st December 2000).
Vehicles that don’t meet the Euro emissions standards above or were registered before January 1997 will not be issued with a Crit’Air sticker, and, therefore, should not enter the low emissions zones where Crit’Air applies.
What areas of France does Crit’Air apply to?
A Crit’Air sticker is only compulsory if you drive or park in a permanent low-emission zone (a ZCR or Zone à Circulation Restreinte or, a ZFE-m or Zone à Faibles Émissions Mobilité). You may also need a Crit’Air sticker in a temporary low-emission zone (a ZPA or Zone de la Protection de l’Air). They are needed in these zones when a public announcement has been made that pollution levels are likely to be high. We’ll explain how to find these announcements later in this article.
However, the rules in some ZCR areas have changed recently. Unfortunately for British tourists, this means a lot of online English language information is now outdated.
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How to buy a Crit’Air sticker
You should always buy your Crit’Air sticker via the official French Government website. Sadly, there are many online sites offering Crit’Air vignettes at vastly inflated prices. Do not use these services. It’s simple and cheap to get your sticker directly.
To get a Crit’Air vignette, you must use the official website to enter your vehicle’s European Emission Standard and also upload a scan of your V5C registration form (log book).
How much does a Crit'Air sticker cost?
Currently, a Crit’Air sticker for a UK vehicle costs €3.11 + €1.65 postage. The sticker remains valid for as long as the lifetime of your vehicle.
How long does a Crit'Air sticker take to arrive?
It can take up to six weeks for your vignette to arrive, so it’s sensible to order in advance of your trip. That said, you will be emailed an invoice that allows you to prove the Crit’Air classification of your car, campervan, or motorhome.
How do I display a Crit'Air sticker?
You simply need to display the sticker on your vehicle’s windscreen.
Do I need a Crit’Air sticker?
You don’t need a sticker if you don’t travel through any low-emission zones. But, given how cheap they are, it’s a good idea to get one and keep your options open.
Paris low-emission zones
When it comes to French low-emission zones, we strongly recommend you visit this page for the latest rules. In Paris, the following two permanent low-emission zones are listed with the current rules that apply to them.
Central Paris. This ZCR covers the area within the Boulevard Périphérique ring road. Since January 2024, only vehicles with Crit’Air 0/E or Crit’Air 1 vignettes are allowed in this zone, effectively banning all diesel vehicles. From 2030, Central Paris will become a zero-emissions zone, meaning only vehicles with a Crit’Air 0/E certificate will be allowed.
Greater Paris (Grand Paris). A Crit’Air sticker is compulsory in this zone, which is within the perimeter of the A86 motorway (though not on the motorway itself). The type of Crit’Air sticker needed depends on the district. However, since 2024, many have required a Crit’Air 0/E or Crit’Air 1 sticker.
Other permanent low-emission zones
Other permanent low-emission zones are listed below. Most of these are currently in force, though some are planned at the time of writing. At the very least, most are in the process of phasing out Crit’Air 3 vehicles, while others plan to phase out Crit’Air 2 traffic soon. Restrictions may depend on the time of day, so be sure to check by following the links below to the Urban Access Regulations website before you travel.
Emergency low-emission zones in France
In the following emergency low-emission zones, restrictions may be imposed at short notice when pollution levels are likely to be very high. If you plan to take your car, motorhome, or campervan to any of these cities or areas, check for alerts before travelling. The links below will take you to the relevant details of each scheme.
City Schemes
Regional Schemes
What happens if I don’t have a Crit'Air sticker?
If you don’t have a Crit’Air sticker and you drive through a restricted zone, you will be fined. This fine is currently €68 for a private car and rises to €135 for a coach. If you are a self-drive hire operator, we strongly recommend you get Crit’Air vignettes for each vehicle in your fleet. It could save you money and extra admin dealing with fines, as well as protect your reputation and save you from an embarrassing phone call from a hirer.
FAQs
Can I buy a Crit’Air sticker at the Eurotunnel?
No. You should buy your Crit’Air sticker via the French government website before your trip.
Can I drive through Rouen without a Crit'Air sticker?
Yes, but you risk being fined, so it’s better to get the correct Crit’Air sticker before entering the Rouen low-emission zone. There’s also a pollution emergency scheme, which may restrict certain vehicles from entering the zone. More details on these zones are here.
Can I get a Crit’Air sticker without a V5 document?
No. If your vehicle is registered in the UK, you’ll need to upload a copy of your V5 document with your online application.
Can I drive in Toulouse without a Crit’Air sticker?
Yes, but you risk being fined, so it’s better to get the correct Crit’Air sticker before entering the Toulouse low-emission zone. Find out more here.