Travelling to France by car? This is what you need to know about the anti-pollution sticker

2. When are you required to have an anti-pollution sticker?

You are required to have an anti-pollution sticker when you drive your vehicle into a so-called environmental zone (zone à faibles émissions - ZFE) or a temporary smog zone (ZPA). These zones can be permanent - as in Paris - or temporary, depending on air pollution. In those cases, the government determines which vehicles are still welcome based on the air quality.
You are not allowed to enter these zones without a sticker, not even for short passage or if you just pass through an environmental zone by motorway or route du soleil when heading to your final destination. Before you go on holiday to France by car, check whether you drive through environmental zones and thus need an anti-pollution sticker. To avoid stress, it is best that you buy an anti-pollution sticker in all cases.

3. Does the anti-pollution sticker also apply to tourists?

Yes, foreign vehicles - for example cars with a Dutch or Belgian license plate - must also have a Crit'Air vignette when entering environmental zones. The French government does not distinguish between French and foreign license plates. This is also the case when you pass through an environmental zone when going on a day out or if you take a trip to Paris from your holiday park in Poitou - Charentes.

4. In which cities and areas do you need a Crit’Air vignette?

The list of cities where an anti-pollution sticker is mandatory is growing every year. Well-known examples are:

• Paris (within the périphérique, and also on the A1 towards the city centre)
• Lyon
• Bordeaux
• Strasbourg
• Marseille
• Toulouse
• Montpellier
• Geneva
• Nice

Some regions in the Alps, such as around Annecy and Chambéry, introduce temporary zones during smog periods. The ANWB and official French government websites keep an up-to-date overview of all places where you need an anti-pollution sticker. So always check your route and destinations in advance through reliable sources such as www.certificat-air.gouv.fr.

6. What happens if you don't have an anti-pollution sticker?

Are you driving into an area where the vignette is mandatory without having one, e.g. on the way to your holiday home in Provence? Then you risk a fine of at least €68 (for passenger cars) and up to €135 for larger vehicles. These fines can be imposed on the spot, however regular checks are also carried out with the help of cameras or enforcers.

7. Where should you stick the Crit’air sticker?

The Crit'Air sticker is placed on the inside of your windscreen, at the bottom right (on the passenger side), so that it is clearly visible from the outside. The sticker may not be moved and is only valid as long as it  is undamaged and legible.

8. What if your car is too old?

Do you have an older diesel car or a vehicle from before 1997? Then you may not be able to apply for a sticker, or you may only receive a Crit'Air 5, which means that you will still not be allowed to enter many zones. Alternatives are:

• Parking outside the city and continuing your journey by public transport (P+R areas are often available).
• Plan a different route.
• In some cases: apply for a temporary exemption (for example for classic vehicles with an H license plate).