The Crit’ Air Sticker For France in 2024

The Crit'Air sticker for France allows officials to determine the level of emissions a vehicle produces when driving the roads in France. Placed on a vehicle's windshield, the color of the sticker indicates the various emission levels. For example green refers to a 100 percent electric or hydrogen vehicle and dark grey indicates the biggest polluters, Euro 2 diesel vehicles. They can be used to restrict access in French cities with a low-emission zone when pollution levels are high.

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All vehicles, residents and visitors alike, must have a Crit'Air sticker for France in 2024. UK drivers can buy it online quickly at Tollwayr, receiving a digital permit within 36 to 48 hours after payment, followed by the physical sticker which will be received via post.

The Crit’ Air Sticker in 2024

There have been several updates to the French Crit' Air vignette in 2024. To avoid being fined, it's essential for drivers to be aware of all current regulations. Pay close attention if you'll be driving in and around any of the following destinations:

• Aix-Marseille-Provence region
• Bordeaux
• Clermont-Ferrand
• Grenoble
• Lyon
• Marseille
• Montpellier
• Paris
• Reims
• Rouen
• Strasbourg
• Toulouse

What is the Crit' Air France?

The Crit' Air France was originally implemented in 2017 as part of the government's effort to reduce pollution and improve air quality in urban areas. The Crit' Air vignette helps officials regulate access to certain areas called ZFE-m zones during periods of high pollution. That allows the authorities to implement temporary driving restrictions based on the vehicle emission categories. Essentially, the ZFM-zones are driving zones for low-emission vehicles.

Different colored stickers are assigned by the Crit' Air system based on environmental impact and are divided into six classes. They range from the least polluting green stickers to the dark grey stickers for cars with the highest emissions which will be detailed further below.

The Crit' Air France: Required in Most French Cities

If you plan to drive in or near any city in France, there's a good chance you'll need to meet the Crit' Air France requirement to have a Crit' Air vignette. Most French cities require them as part of the environmental regulations.

You will know you're entering one of the low emission zones as there will be an electronic board that displays "faibles émissions mobilité." The Daily Mail published a relatively recent map  that may be helpful as well.

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The Paris Low Emissions Zone

Paris has two permanent low-emissions zones which include the Greater Paris ZCR and the Central Paris ZCR. The Central Paris ZCR was the first low-emissions zone in the country, introduced in September 2019. It currently covers the entire area within the Boulevard Périphérique ring-road. More stringent rules were introduced in 2023 and from January 2024, the scheme became even more restricted. Now, all vehicles with a sticker 3 or higher are banned from entering between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and only vehicles with Crit'Air 1 and 2 vignettes are valid.

Additionally, the sticker is now required on the motorway "peripherique" of Paris and on the motorway of Lyon.

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Which Crit' Air Stickers Are There?

As noted, there are six different categories and Crit' Air sticker types with the green sticker indicating the most environmentally-friendly vehicles such as hybrid or electric and the grey indicating the most polluting diesel vehicles.

Badge	Color	Vehicle Category
Badge E	Green	Electric or hybrid
Badge 1	Purple	Plug-in hybrid or gasoline vehicles (registered after December 2010)
Badge 2	Yellow	Gasoline vehicles registered between January 2006 and December 2010, or diesel from January 2011
Badge 3	Orange	Gasoline vehicles registered between 1997 and 2005, or diesel between January 2006 and 2010
Badge 4	Brown	Diesel vehicles registered between January 2001-December 2005
Badge 5	Grey	Diesel vehicles registered between January 1997-2000

Which Emission Sticker is Required for a Camper?

Crit' Air for campers such as a motorhome or campervan would follow the same requirements as other vehicles. After adding your details to our order process, it’s the French government that decides which sticker you get. You cannot choose one yourself. On the Crit’ Air official website, the vehicle emissions scheme can be checked. 

For example, if it is a 2011 motorhome that runs on diesel, you would get the yellow Badge 2. It's important to note that many run on diesel, falling under the orange Badge 3 which are banned in most cities. With older diesels, you are not eligible to drive on the Paris motorway which makes this destination out of reach.

Please note that you will only get one type of sticker, you won’t get all the six stickers delivered.

Where Do I Need a Crit' Air Sticker?

You will need a Crit' Air sticker in most major cities throughout France, such as Paris, Lyon, Rouen, Reims, and Strasbourg. It is also mandatory on the motorways running through Paris and Lyon.

Take note that there is a big change coming in 2025. Starting next year ALL cities with a population of over 150,000 will have to have a Crit' Air zone.

French Cities with a Low Emission Zone

France has different environmental zones, some of which are permanently active, referred to as the Zone Circulation Restreinte (ZCR), while others are only temporary, known as the Zone de Protection de l'Air (ZPA).

The ZCRs (permanent low emission zones) restrict access to certain vehicles based on the category of the Crit' Air sticker, allowing access only to those that fall under a certain category. These restrictions are permanent in place, typically on certain days and/or between certain hours. The ZPAs (temporary restrictions) are emergency low emission zones that are implemented in certain locations when there is a risk of dangerously high air pollution levels. There are also ZPAds, which refer to Crit’ Air in one of the 96 French departments.

Permanent Zones

The following table shows the French cities with permanent low emission zones requiring Crit' Air stickers.

Temporary Zones

The following French cities include temporary low emission zones for air quality control:

Crit' Air Sticker on the Motorways of Paris and Lyon

When trying to make sense of all the French motorway tolls and the Crit' Air stickers, it's important to understand that the motorway restrictions apply across all communes in Greater Paris. In the city of Paris itself, the restrictions apply across Bois de Boulogne, Bois de Vincennes, and the ring road as part of the emission regulations.

In Greater Lyon, the low emission zone covers the motorways in the city of Lyon, Bron et Venissieux situated inside the ring road Laurent Bonnevay, boulevard Laurent Bonnevay, Villeurbanne, Caluire-et-cuire, Boulevard Nord Lyon, and the M6-M7.

The Greater Paris zone (Métropole du Grand Paris) covers a large, approximately 315 square miles (about 815 square kilometers). It includes 131 different municipalities. Vehicles that fall under Crit' Air categories 3, 4, and 5 are no longer allowed to drive in the Metropolis of Greater Paris. The A86 motorway itself is included from the zone.This means that you are not allowed to drive on the A86 through Paris on weekdays from 8 AM - 8 PM.

Where to Buy the Vignette

Where to Buy it Quickly in the UK

If you're planning a last-minute trip or weren't aware of the Crit' Air sticker rules, you might be wondering where to buy the Crit' Air sticker in the UK quickly. Fortunately, you can purchase the Crit' Air sticker online at Tollwayr. If you buy the Crit' Air sticker from us at Tollwayr, it will cost £4.76 per vehicle. You'll get a digital permit that can be used within 36 to 48 hours followed by a physical sticker, received by post.

You can not buy it at the Eurotunnel  that links England to France, so for peace of mind, it's best to have the Crit' Air sticker before starting your journey.

Where to Buy the Crit' Air Sticker in France

It is not possible to buy the Crit' Air sticker in France. There are no petrol (gas) stations, stores, or border crossings that sell it.

Crit' Air Sticker Official Website

You can make an online purchase of your sticker at the Crit' Air official website to ensure you're following the France emission rules. The site can be found here and is easy to use with step-by-step instructions. It includes a tool to help determine your vehicle classification by entering the information on your registration certificate.

Fines and Enforcement

Crit' Air stickers are enforced through automated and manual checks. Automatic checks use License Plate Recognition to match the license plate number of the vehicle in the Crit' Air database. There are random mobile checks within low emission zones and manual checks are also performed by police officers at some zone entrances.

Vehicles without Crit' Air stickers that travel in the relevant zones (and those that are banned and travel in a restricted zone) are subject to fines that range from about £38 to a maximum of approximately £378. There is an exception - heavy goods vehicles are subject to much higher fines ranging from about £114 to as much as £3151.

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Exceptions for Disabled People's Vehicles

There are some Crit' Air exceptions. Disabled vehicles, rather drivers with disabled badges, can drive through low-emission zones in France even if their vehicles don't meet pollution standards. Despite the emission sticker exemptions, a Crit' Air sticker will still need to be displayed along with a disability parking card.

FAQ

What vehicles are affected by Crit'Air?

The Crit'Air sticker affects all motor vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, and light commercial vehicles. Each vehicle is categorized based on its emissions, from Crit'Air 0 (electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles) to Crit'Air 5 (older diesel vehicles).

Do I need an emissions certificate to drive in France?

The Crit'Air sticker affects all motor vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, and light commercial vehicles. Each vehicle is categorized based on its emissions, from Crit'Air 0 (electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles) to Crit'Air 5 (older diesel vehicles).

Do I need a Crit’Air Sticker in Paris?

The Crit'Air sticker affects all motor vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, and light commercial vehicles. Each vehicle is categorized based on its emissions, from Crit'Air 0 (electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles) to Crit'Air 5 (older diesel vehicles).

Do I need a permit on the French motorways?

The Crit'Air sticker affects all motor vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, and light commercial vehicles. Each vehicle is categorized based on its emissions, from Crit'Air 0 (electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles) to Crit'Air 5 (older diesel vehicles).

Do I need a Crit’Air sticker for Disneyland Paris?

The Crit'Air sticker affects all motor vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, and light commercial vehicles. Each vehicle is categorized based on its emissions, from Crit'Air 0 (electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles) to Crit'Air 5 (older diesel vehicles).

Are diesel cars allowed in Paris?

The Crit'Air sticker affects all motor vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, and light commercial vehicles. Each vehicle is categorized based on its emissions, from Crit'Air 0 (electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles) to Crit'Air 5 (older diesel vehicles).

Do I get a digital vignette after purchase?

The Crit'Air sticker affects all motor vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, and light commercial vehicles. Each vehicle is categorized based on its emissions, from Crit'Air 0 (electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles) to Crit'Air 5 (older diesel vehicles).

I lost my physical sticker, what now?

The Crit'Air sticker affects all motor vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, and light commercial vehicles. Each vehicle is categorized based on its emissions, from Crit'Air 0 (electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles) to Crit'Air 5 (older diesel vehicles).

Environmental Zones In Neighbouring Countries

Andorra

Belgium

Germany

Luxembourg

Spain