In order to reduce CO2 emissions in France's major cities, the most environmentally damaging vehicles are now banned from driving in certain urban areas called Low Emission Mobility Zones (ZFE-m). Vehicles not registered in France must also display an ecological sticker called Crit'Air. Here is an overview of the regulations in force to ensure that you have a peaceful holiday.
What is the Crit'Air sticker?
The certificate is a round sticker that corresponds to a class of vehicle defined according to the emissions of atmospheric pollutants. There are 6 categories of certificates, each with a different colour, to encourage the least polluting vehicles. The Crit'Air sticker concerns all vehicles: private cars, two-wheelers, tricycles and quadricycles, light commercial vehicles and heavy vehicles including buses and coaches. Once acquired and affixed to the vehicle's windscreen, the sticker is valid for the entire life of the vehicle.
Which zones require a Crit'Air sticker?
The Crit'Air certificate is only compulsory in certain zones. In Paris, the sticker is compulsory within the perimeter of the A86 motorway from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 8pm, except on public holidays.
Several large cities have also set up low emission mobility zones. The agglomerations concerned are: Lyon, Aix-Marseille, Toulouse, Nice, Montpellier, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Rouen, Reims and Saint-Étienne. From 2025, all cities and agglomerations with more than 150,000 inhabitants will be required to introduce a Low Emission Mobility Zone. In these towns, ‘non-classified’ vehicles (registered before 1997) will no longer be allowed on the roads, except by special dispensation.
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What are the regulations in force?
Since 1 January 2023, all Crit'Air 5 vehicles or vehicles without a sticker have been subject to traffic restrictions in Low Emission Zones. In some cities, Crit'Air 4 vehicles are also affected. Several cities also offer passes to allow occasional drivers to visit the city centre a limited number of times during the year.
Here is a summary of the measures in force in each of France's 11 Low Emission Zones:
- In Paris and Greater Paris, the ban on Crit'Air 3 cars is due to apply from 1 January 2025 (in addition to Crit'Air 4, 5 and non-classified vehicles already subject to restrictions). However, exemptions have been introduced. Vehicles with a Crit'Air 3 sticker will be able to drive in the EPZ at weekends. Occasional drivers will also be able to travel in Paris and the zone concerned up to 24 times a year if they have a ‘24-hour pass’.
- In Lyon and part of its metropolitan area, Crit'Air 3 private vehicles have also been affected by traffic restrictions since 1 January 2025. As in Paris, a ‘pass petit rouleur’ allows occasional drivers to drive in the EPZ 52 times a year.
The ban is due to apply to Crit'Air 3 cars from 1 January 2025. In addition, additional traffic restrictions may apply during pollution peaks. Traffic restrictions will only apply in urban areas where pollutant thresholds are exceeded. The following cities, known as "vigilance territories", are therefore no longer subject to these new restrictions (Crit'Air 3).
- In Montpellier, Crit'Air 3 vehicles will also be subject to these driving restrictions from 1 January 2025. As in Lyon, a ‘pass’ will guarantee motorists access to the communes in the Low Emission Zone 52 days a year. Drivers travelling less than 8,000 km in a year will also benefit from an exemption.
- In Grenoble, Crit'Air vehicles have been banned from driving in the Low Emission Zone since 7 July 2023. These restrictions will apply from 1 January 2024 for Crit'Air 4 cars and from 1 January 2025 for Crit'Air 4 cars, and are limited to certain hours (Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm).
The new restrictions (Crit'Air 3) apply to petrol vehicles registered before 2006 and diesel vehicles registered before 2011.
- In Marseille, Crit'Air 4 cars are banned since 1 January 2024. Crit'Air 3 vehicles will no longer be allowed to circulate within the ZFE perimeter after 1 January 2025.
- In Strasbourg, Crit'Air 4, Crit'Air 5 and ‘unclassified’ vehicles are banned from driving within the ZFE-m perimeter. Traffic restrictions will not apply to Crit'Air 3 vehicles until 2027. A ‘ZFE 24h Pass’ allows occasional motorists to travel within the perimeter concerned 24 times a year.
- In Rouen, all vehicles displaying a Crit'Air 4, 5 or non-classified sticker have been banned from driving since 1 September 2022. However, a ‘ZFE-m 24h’ pass allows you to travel in the area concerned 24 times a year. The ban due to apply to Crit'Air 3 cars in 2025 has been suspended.
- In Toulouse, all Crit'Air 4, 5 and non-classified vehicles have been affected by the driving restrictions since 1 January 2023. However, a ‘Pass ZFE’ allows access to the area concerned 52 days a year. Crit'Air 3 cars can continue to drive.
- In Reims, the driving ban has applied to Crit'Air 5 and Crit'Air 4 vehicles since 1 January 2023. The restrictions will not apply to Crit'Air 3 vehicles until 2029.
- In Nice, Crit'Air 5 and non-classified passenger cars have been affected by the restrictions since 1 January 2023. However, Crit'Air 4 and Crit'Air 3 vehicles can continue to drive.
- In Saint-Etienne, light vehicles are not affected by the restrictions.
- In Clermont-Ferrand, private cars are not affected by the restrictions.
How do I get a Crit'Air sticker?
French or foreign motorists can order the sticker online on the website of the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition (the only official site authorised to issue them, beware of scams! ): https://certificat-air.gouv.fr The cost is 3.70€ plus postage (3,11€ + 1,50€). The estimated delivery time is 5 to 10 days. Please note that offending vehicles will be fined 68€ for a private car and 135€ for a coach.
More information on the official website of the Crit'Air certificate: https://www.ecologique-solidaire.gouv.fr/certificats-qualite-lair-critair (available in English, German, Italian, Spanish).
By France.fr
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