Anti-pollution stickers are now required for all British-registered vehicles driving in Paris. Find out how they work, how to get one and how they affect your plans to drive cars, motorhomes and other vehicles in in the French capital.
British drivers heading to Paris now have to display an anti-pollution sticker in their vehicle – with petrol cars, vans and motorhomes first-registered before 1997 and diesels prior to 2001 banned from the French capital’s streets between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday.
The sticker scheme became mandatory from Monday, January 16, 2017, demanding all motorists entering the city should display a sticker defining how polluting their car is. We’ve all the information you need here.
| Sticker guide What’s the sticker all about July 2017 update At-a-glance | Where to buy? Where Brits can buy the stickers Which one? How long |
Revealed: More Crit’Air schemes coming to French cities this year
Brit drivers are being warned that more French towns and cities will require a Crit’Air anti-pollution sticker to be displayed by the end of 2017.
With versions of the Crit’Air scheme already up and running in Paris, Lyon and Grenoble, it’s been revealed motorists heading to Lille will also need to display one of the anti-pollution stickers within just a few weeks.
Additionally, Bordeaux and Strasbourg will also be introducing Crit’Air-led schemes by the end of the year. Both of these are popular destinations with British motorists touring France.
The stickers for all destinations must be applied for well in advance of travel dates, with failure to display one likely to result in a hefty fine.
Read on for our full guide to obtaining a Crit’Air sticker and understanding how the various schemes operate.
More cars to be BANNED from driving in Paris from July 1, 2017 – find out if yours was one of them
From July 1, 2017, any diesel first-registered before January 1, 2001, will be barred from Paris during weekdays. Here’s all you need to know about the new tightening of restrictions…
What is a Crit’Air sticker? These are official vignettes – or stickers – that drivers must display on their windscreen to show how polluting their vehicle is. There are six stickers, from the 100 per cent pure-electric sticker, to the number 5 for Euro 2 diesel-engine cars registered from January 1, 1997 – December 31, 2000.
What is the change? Prior to July 1, 2017, vehicles with a Crit’Air 5 sticker could still drive in Paris during weekdays, while older, dirtier cars were banned Monday – Friday between the hours of 8am-8pm. This ban will now also apply to cars with a Crit’Air 5 sticker from July 1, 2017.
What does that mean in plain English? Put simply, if you have a Euro 2 diesel car registered before January 1, 2001, you will not be able to drive it in Paris on weekdays between the hours of 8am-8pm. Prior to July 1, 2017, you would have been able to.
How do I get my Crit’Air sticker? Read the rest of this feature for all you need to know about getting a legitimate sticker.
Please remember to share with friends who might be travelling through Paris this summer.
WARNING: LOOK OUT FOR PREMIUM RATE CALLS FOR CRIT AIR ANSWERS
It’s been reported in French media that drivers looking for information on the Crit’Air stickers are being urged to ring 118 118. This is charged from €2.99 per minute (around £2.50) in France. Use the official number for information on +33 800 970 033 from the UK, or 0 80097 00 33 from France or email here.
How and where to buy a Crit’Air anti-pollution sticker – new lower price announced
Romantic drive in Paris? Don’t forget to get stickered
You will now need to purchase a Crit’Air sticker to drive any vehicle in Paris, emergency vehicles aside.
A sticker relates to the vehicle and not the the driver, so each vehicle must have its own sticker – which last for its entire life under current law.
The sticker originally cost €4.18 (around £3.60) for drivers of foreign-registered vehicle, but from March 1, 2018, French authorities cut the price to €3.62 including shipping to the UK.
You will also need to upload a scan or your registration document at the time of application. Applications can take several weeks to be processed, so please allow plenty of time before your trip.
Apply for your Crit’Air sticker here
Read the following guide help with your application…
Scanning problems
Please note, when uploading a copy of your registration document, the file size has now been increased from 200KB to 400KB, which will make it easier for scanning. This remains a relatively small size, so please remember to use photo editing software to optimise the file before attempting to upload. Photoshop and Paint are among the premium and free options available. Instant online optimiser sites are also available – such as imageoptimizer.net. Please note, we are not responsible for external sites.
How long will the Crit’Air sticker take to arrive?
Expect the sticker to take up to 30 days, but many users have reported it coming through within a week. A confirmation email should arrive within two weeks with a slip that can be printed to prove the vehicle is covered.
Can I track my Crit’Air application?
Yes. Enter your details using the following link to track the progress of your sticker.
Track your Crit’Air sticker application here.
Read more about the stickers below.
All you need to know about driving in Paris from January 16, 2017
Here’s our at-a-glance guide to Paris’ Crit’Air anti-pollution vehicle stickers.
British-registered vehicles will need one of these Crit’Air stickers to drive in Paris from March 31
All non-emergency vehicles need to display one of six stickers to show how polluting they are.
The six stickers allow officials to ban certain vehicles – based on Crit’Air ratings – from entering the city at times of high pollution.
No. The stickers are new but will support a policy launched in 2015, where all, or selected, vehicles can be banned from the Paris when pollution levels spike. The new stickers will simplify this for drivers – and those enforcing the bans – with a vehicle’s status clearly visible on the windscreen. This replaces the odd-even number plate scheme that was previously in operation.
The whole of Paris includes the Crit’Air environmental zone. The city area of Paris is defined without suburbs and includes the area inside the city’s ring road – the “Boulevard périphérique”. This is not an official motorway and is described as ‘E15’ in the Eastern part of Paris, ‘Bois de Boulogne’ in the Western part of Paris and ‘Bois de Vincennes’ in the South east part of the city. Click below to see a map.
Here’s where the Crit’Air restrictions apply in Paris
If you’re driving within the Paris ringroad, then you will need a Crit Air sticker. This will need to be at least a Crit Air 4 to drive in the zone on weekdays from 8am-8pm.
It’s the road that thousands of Brits will use as they motor to the south of France or Alpine ski resorts, but the good news is you WON’T need to buy a Crit’Air anti-pollution sticker to use it.
However, some sat-nav devices may lead drivers to the 18km tunnel that runs beneath the city. Accessing this will need a sticker, so make sure your sat-nav is taking you on the Ring Road, or Boulevard Périphérique, as it is officially known.
No. The Crit’Air pollution stickers work in a similar way to the London Congestion Charge. You will only need to buy and display a sticker if you are planning to drive in Paris – or the cities of Grenoble and Lyon. If not – there’s no need to worry. However, keep an eye out for more cities joining the scheme soon.
The sticker system came into force for non-French-registered vehicles on March 31, 2017.
The sticker originally cost €4.18 (around £3.60) for drivers of foreign-registered vehicles, but from March 1, 2018, the tariff was cut to €3.62 (around £3.17) including shopping to the UK. This reflects the French government’s pledge that the certificate was not a tax and would only be charged at the rate required to cover production costs.
All Crit’Air stickers are valid for the lifetime of the vehicle, so you will never need to buy a new one for any individual car (as the law currently stands).
The Crit’Air is linked to the vehicle and not the driver. You’ll need one for each car you intend to drive in Paris, Lyon or Grenoble.
Look out for the signs pictured below. The red version shows where a zone starts and the other where it ends. It’s likely the signage will include another ‘Interdite’ sign, which will give more specific information on the Crit’Air restrictions that apply.
No, the restrictions apply to travel. As long as you have a Crit’Air sticker, you can leave the vehicle parked in the city during periods its use is restricted due to high levels of pollution.
Cars registered prior to 1996 will not get a sticker. This means you will not be able drive the vehicle in the city’s Crit’Air zones between 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday. Additionally, from July 1, 2017, any Euro 2 diesel car registered before January 1, 2001, will also be banned from the city’s streets 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday. This is because Crit’Air 5 vehicles have been barred under new, tighter restrictions – see more details here.
As we’ve pointed out above, from July 1, 2017, all cars will need to hold at least a Crit’Air 4 sticker! This means – along with older petrol and diesel cars that didn’t get a sticker in the first wave – diesel cars registered before January 1, 2001, will also be banned from entering the city 8am – 8pm Monday – Friday.
The official Crit’Air website says:
‘As per French decree Décret n°2016-847 from 28th June 2016 vehicles bearing a parking card for disabled persons need no Crit’Air Vignette. Parking cards for disabled persons are the same all over Europe so that vehicles of handicapped persons are recognisable abroad, too.’
French police have been told to be lenient in the early days, but this will be for a short time only.
Fines for those without stickers are:
€68 (£58.63) for cars
€138 (£119) for lorries.
Where should I put the sticker?
Official advice says the sticker must be placed in the lower right hand corner of the windscreen.
The French authorities are very clear on this, and failing to stick your Crit’Air vignette in the correct place could leave you open to a fine.
The following video – although in French – will help your placement of the Crit Air stickers.
Can I watch a French-language video on the Crit’Air scheme?
Yes – yes you can.Click below and enjoy!
Anything else?
Yes. The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, is no fan of cars and has made it clear she’ll be making life difficult for drivers.
Speaking to journalists, she said: “More cars means more pollution, fewer cars means less pollution. It seems obvious but in this post-truth age there are those who would argue that fewer cars means more pollution. We prefer to stick to the truth.”
She has spoken of eventually banning all diesel motors from the city’s streets.
Any other cities using the stickers?
The French cities of Grenoble and Lyon are also operating a form of Crit’Air sticker.
Many more areas are also using some form of Crit Air scheme. We’ll be updating the full list soon.
Here’s how the Crit Air anti-pollution scheme works in Paris
Hire cars and Crit’Air stickers – motorists face big fines
With thousands of Brits heading over (or under) the Channel in hire cars, motorists could be left open to fines and big admin charges imposed by rental firms if the anti-pollution stickers aren’t purchased and displayed.
What’s the problem? With Crit’Air sticker relating to the vehicle and not the driver, anyone heading in Paris will have to rely on the hire car having a sticker purchased by the rental firm.
This could not be undertaken by the ‘hirer’ because the registration number and registration document are required to purchase one.
Who’ll pay the fine? As with any other unpaid fines incurred by the ‘hirer’, rental firms will typically take the fine and a hefty admin charge from the driver’s credit card.
It’s unclear if this would still be the case legally if the rental firm had been aware of the driver’s intentions to enter Paris, but neglected to purchase a valid Crit’Air sticker for the vehicle.
How much is the fine and admin charge? The fine for not having a Crit’Air sticker is €68 (£58.63) for cars, and with rental firms charging anything from £45 admin charges for paying penalty charges, drivers could expect a bill in excess of £100 through no fault of their own.
What the hire firms say: Posing as a customer, we phoned one of the UK’s leading hire firms and explained that we wanted to hire a car in England, then drive to Paris after the March 31 deadline.
When asked how to deal with the Crit’Air issue, we were told to ‘pop in to the Paris branch [of the hire firm] and pick one up.’ However, with ‘sticker’ applications for foreign cars required to be made online and accompanied by a copy of the vehicle’s registration document, this is unlikely to be a solution.
We’ve contacted several rental firms – along with the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) the trade body for rental car firms – but have not yet received any comment on how the Crit’Air problem will be tackled.
Avis has since told us it will be holding a meeting next week (w/c 27/03/17) to discuss the issue – the same week as the law comes into effect for British drivers heading to Paris.
What should you do: Make sure you tell your rental firm as early as possible that you intend to drive in Paris. Make it clear you expect the car to be legal and that any fines will not be your responsibility. We’ll update this section with any comment we receive from rental firms or the BVRLA
Warning: Unofficial sites charging 6 times the face value for Crit’Air stickers. How to make sure you don’t get caught out.
Brit motorists heading to France are being targeted by sites charging huge administrative fees to supply the Crit’Air anti-pollution stickers required to drive in Paris from March 31. Stickers are also required in Grenoble and Lyon.
The sites are not operating illegally, but cashing in on confusion over the new system will leave drivers out of pocket by charging large admin fees for a service the French authorities offer for free. One site, listed below, is charging more than six times the face value of the stickers.
Some websites are also urging users to call ‘information lines’ which cost around €3-a-minute for French callers and significantly more for foreign-based users.
One site, Crit-Air.fr offers an international order page, where foreign motorists are charged €29.65 (around £25.56) for the anti-pollution stickers, as opposed to the official store price at €4.80 (around £4.18) for the sticker and postage.
Where to buy the Crit’Air sticker without admin costs
The official site to buy the anti-pollution stickers, as reported by this website, is as follows:
https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/demande-ext/cgu/
Users of this site will pay just €4.80 including postage for their Crit’Air stickers.
Websites charging huge admin costs that can be avoided
The following sites are all selling stickers with a large mark-up that drivers do not need to pay.
Cartegrise-paris.com – selling for €10
Vignette-critair.fr – selling for €14.10
Crit-air.fr – selling for €29.65
The official price for the sticker is €3.70 (£3.19) plus postage.
Head to the official site here
WHICH STICKER WILL APPLY FOR MY CAR?
This is how the new Crit’Air stickers will be applied to your car.
CRIT’AIR GREEN VEHICLES (GREEN AND WHITE STICKER)
Lowest band restricted only for 100% pure-electric or hydrogen vehicles.
CRIT’AIR 1 (PURPLE STICKER)
Plug-in hybrid cars and Euro 5 and 6 petrol models (registered from 1 January 2011).
CRIT’AIR 2 (YELLOW STICKER)
Euro 4 petrol-powered cars (registered between 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2010) and Euro 5 and 6 diesel models (registered from 1 January 2011).
CRIT’AIR 3 (ORANGE STICKER)
Euro 2 and 3 petrol cars (registered from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2005).
Petrol cars registered before 1997 do not qualify for a Crit’Air sticker at all and will be barred from entering the city 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday
Crit’Air 3 also includes Euro 4 diesel cars (registered between 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2010).
CRIT’AIR 4 (DARK RED STICKER)
Euro 3 diesel cars registered between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2005.
CRIT’AIR 5 (DARK BLUE STICKER)
Euro 2 diesels, registered from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2000.
Petrol and diesel cars older than this are not eligible for a Crit’Air and will be barred from entering the city 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday.
Crit’Air FAQs
The Crit’Air certificate is an air quality certificate that classifies vehicles based on their emissions levels. It is required in certain cities and regions in France to drive within certain areas during periods of high air pollution.
To obtain a Crit’Air certificate, vehicle owners must submit an application and provide documentation such as the vehicle registration certificate and a certificate of conformity. The vehicle will then be inspected to determine its emissions level and assigned a corresponding Crit’Air sticker.
Sticker 1 (green) is for electric and hydrogen vehicles
Sticker 2 (blue) is for Euro 6 petrol and diesel vehicles
Sticker 3 (purple) is for Euro 5 petrol and diesel vehicles
Sticker 4 (orange) is for Euro 4 petrol and diesel vehicles
Sticker 5 (red) is for Euro 3 petrol and diesel vehicles
Sticker 6 (black) is for pre-Euro 3 petrol and diesel vehicles, and vehicles without a certificate of conformity.
The Crit’Air certificate is currently required in certain cities and regions in France, including Paris, Lyon, Grenoble and Strasbourg, during periods of high air pollution.
Drivers who do not have a valid Crit’Air certificate while driving in a designated area during a restricted period will be subject to a fine of €35 to €135. Repeat offenders may face higher fines and even vehicle impoundment.
Errors on the registration certificate must be reported for correction to the prefecture of the department of your choice.
Your vehicle’s number plate must be entered in the same way as on the vehicle’s V05 certificate.
If a personalised plate will not register then contact the official Crit’Air site here – https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/fr/contact/formulaire
You will not be able to upload your V05 document until your account has been activated. A confirmation of the activation of your account will be emailed to you by noreply@certificat-air.fr It will follow the first email confirming the registration of your application – this can take up to a week but usually takes up to 48 hours.
Make sure that you are using the correct file type and size. The file size has now been increased from 200kb to 400kb, which will make it easier for scanning. However, this is still a relatively small size, so if required use photo editing software to optimise the file before attempting to upload. Use the likes of Adobe Photoshop if you have them, otherwise free online sites such as imageoptimizer.net can be used.
CRIT AIR STICKER can be stuck onto right hand OUTSIDE of windscreen below swept area of windscreen wiper, black area on most modern cars , see motorcycle instructions re crit air displaying .
Be careful where you put your Crit’Air sticker on your windscreen if you have a UK (right-hand-drive) car!
The French want you t o put it in the lower right corner- but on a RHD car that area is usually part of the area swept by the windscreen wipers – and if you put it anywhere inside the ‘swept area” it’s an MOT failure!
My garage peeled my sticker off (ruining it in the process), so I had to order a new one. I now have mine in the top left corner, behind the area that’s NOT swept by the windscreen wipers.
The wipers on most RHD cars these days go right down into the bottom right corner of the windscreen, so there is no unswept area down there in which to put your Crit”air sticker!
Passing an MOT is obviously essential so I am prepared to risk an argument with a gendarme over my sticker position if it ever arises!
(I suppose another option might be to try and find some kind of removable sticker holder so you could put it at lower right when in France and then take it off for the MOT!
Hi Chris I think you should ask whoever did your mot to pay for the replacement sticker as it is NOT a failure!
Section 3:1 of the MOT inspection manual states
“the following are only considered a defect if they seriously affect the drivers view,
Taxi sign to indicate the vehicle is for hire.
Official stickers, such as parking and disabled permits.”
I have been A MOT tester for 40 plus years and know the rules inside and out if in doubt check on line ,Dot.gov.MOT
regards VG
As it says stick it on the lower right hand corner of the window – what is defined as the right corner of the window – is it the right if viewing the car from the front (drivers side on a RHD (UK) vehicle), or right when viewing the car from inside (passengers side on a RHD (UK) vehicle)?
Darren. By the looks of the video, it goes at the bottom RHS of the windscreen as you are sitting in the car i.e. on a ~UK’s driver’s side. After you applied, how long did it take for your disc to arrive please? I’m heading to Paris on Sat but only heard about this being necessary the week before!!!
Come on you lot ! – If you’re going anywhere in France by vehicle, then buy a sticker. It’s about three and a half quid delivered – the website is in plain English, just take the time to read it through.
Where’s the problem ?
Are the Spanish emissions discs equivalent to these discs…or do we need to buy a French one as well ?
I have changed my personalised plate to it’s original 09 number. Do I need a new LEZ?
If the certificates only apply at the moment to Paris, Lyon, and Grenoble, I presume that I can drive off Le Shuttle at Coquelles, go visit someone in Arras, then return to Coquelles a couple of days later, with no danger of getting a pull from les gendarmes,
In addition, same deal but Newhaven-Dieppe, drive to La Chausée, Seine-Maritime, Normandy, and back,
Has anyone applied for a vignette on a lease vehicle? We don’t have the v5 as the vehicle isn’t ours. If so what did you do? Ask the lease company for a scanned copy?
IS MY 2016 MOTORHOME A PRIVATE CAR OR A LIGHT UTILITY VEHICLE? CAN’T WORK IT OUT FROM THE WEBSITE. I THINK I NEED THE 2 STICKER WHATEVER.
Hi David
I may have to change my windscreen. Would I have to apply for a new certificate?
I have a 2005 diesel VW T5 campervan which is a Euro 4 Emissions standard vehicle. I have applied and paid for the “Crit d’air” sticker. When it arrived today, it was a Crit d’air 4 sticker, but should have been a Crit d’air 3 sticker to reflect the vehicles Euro 4 Standard. Has anyone had the same problem and how did you go about rectifying the classification and were you successful?
I GUESS I WONT BE TRAVELING TO EUROPE EVER IN MY LIFE. I GUESS ILL JUST SPEND ALL MY MONEY ELSEWHERE. I WILL BE TAKING IT OFF MY BUCKET LIST. TYPICAL FRENCH, STUCK UP SNOBS. ONLY LOVE THEMSELVES AND NO OTHERS. I THINK ILL GO TO AMERICA. THEY ARE LESS CONFUSING AND MORE OPEN TO TRAVEL.
Have read your post and been impressed with your ability to cut your nose off to spite your face, I feel the mainland Europeans will be lucky to be spared your visit…can’t say the same for the unlucky locals where ever you do wash up.
You are an outmoded brit, yes with a small b. You expect everything handed to you on a plate given you want to travel abroad, not even understanding that foreign travel is there to broaden the mind, expand knowledge and understanding of other people and places. Way beyond your narrow understanding and ability.
What do you mean, “more open to travel” re the Americans…thought it was you that wanted to travel to visit them…do you mean they are more open to “travellers”?. Truly you are a moron. Spend your money on broadening your mind…buy a laptop and stay at home, where your stupidity causes as little offence as possible.
What we need to do if we leaving today to France and Paris ??? Is it posibilities to by some sticker on a road?
pls email me , x .
In the big cities we know that pollution is a problem at certain times. The UK government are taking stiff action, so why knock France for caring about their country? We go to France for several weeks every year, and love that country.
My car is a 2009 diesel. We will not, as far as we are aware, be going anywhere near the prohibition zones, and it seems that my car is not yet in a banned class. But I have ordered my Crit’Air sticker. 4.20€ or thereabouts, and a one-off for the life of the vehicle. What’s to grumble about, for heaven’s sake?
Bertie.
Two years ago I went to France with the scouts on a major European camp. I was also a bit concerned about all the rules regarding driving in France, all the extra stuff you have to carry just to use their roads – the breathalyser, the high vis vests, the warning triangles, beam deflectors, in Belgium a fire extinguisher is recommended, and now these pollution stickers as well. I was also worried about being stopped every few seconds by the over enthusiastic gendarme just for having a British reg plate on the vehicle. I was surprised though how easy it was. I travelled all the way to the campsite at Jambville and back, I spent two weeks in the company of some very good French scouts, I was able to read French more than speak it, there was possibly only one incident on the motorway when I slowed down to 30 because I saw big 50 signs and underneath it there was something about “pour verglas” – I was just quickly racking my brain to think of what verglas was, at which point I had a huge truck behind me flashing me, insisting I go a little bit faster than 30mph on an 80mph motorway – it then dawned on me that glas in French is something to do with ice and of course in the middle of August you don’t tend to get much ice on the French roads!
I found it absolutely fine going to France, and even the ferry staff at DFDS were very helpful when I initially started panicking – as that was my first trip to France and being slightly autistic it was a bit of a scary thought as the white cliffs began to fade! This year I’m going again to Europe, little bit daunted by the ferry again as this time I’m using P&O – would have used DFDS again but a friend I’m going with has booked onto P&O. Also this year I plan to visit a lot more places in Europe. Europe seems a lot more exciting than the US ‘cos you get to see so many different cultures all in one place – you can visit France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Germany, Poland, Switzerland… and many more – some in the EU, some outside the EU and so much diversity in culture.
Huh just remember the gendarmes are out to get your money…period! A car pulled out in front of me, he was drunk and I hit his car. he drove off, went up 1 way streets the wrong way and the gendarme just wanted to know why I did not speak french. I had stuff thrown out of a car window that smashed my headlamp, I had that on film…nothing, I reported a scam on someone’s bank account and in the end had to refuse to leave the gendarmerie until they made at least a note. Good job I did Teacozy’s account was done the same way. We called the Gendarmes about a man threatening me with an iron bar, they took him away. 2 years later(!!! YES ” YEARS”) they came and asked us where he was! I can carry on and on you stand very little chance of getting stopped unless you were speeding. As we say here, never mind the traffic watch the speedo. and do not rely on sat navs giving you the right speed, they do not!
Are these enforced by camera or do you have to be physically caught by a gendarme to be ticketed?
I have a disc already but had the windscreen replaced and have lost the disc, how do I replace it?
The gendarmerie have access to ferry bookings so will know when you get to the ferry port etc for any offence BUT do make sure you have a disabled badge if you are disabled, crit air does not apply!
Does this sticker only apply for cars being ‘DRIVEN’ as opposed to parked? If I arrive in the zone without a sticker after 8pm and leave the car parked for several days, can I assume that I can’t be ticketed?
No.
Can anyone tell me how to get a replacement sticker? Two of my vehicles (I have a fleet) have had new windscreens and the stickers cannot be removed intact. Next time, we will not stick them to the windscreen……
It’s really important to change our transport habits. Most people use their car to travel from home to work, especially those who live outside big cities. What about electric cars then? This type of vehicle is not sience fiction anymore, and it’s greener than a traditional one (fuel/diesel). We need to embrace sustainable mobility and get used to it.
Might be asking a stupid question but for clarity can someone help… We will be arriving in Paris 20th Arrondissement after 8pm to stay with friends and leaving at 6am so am I right that I will not need a sticker? Thanks in advance
Hi – interesting one. Cars that don’t qualify for a sticker can enter during those times, so, as you say, it would seem the you won’t need one. I really can’t see any problems at all.
Hi Pete, did you find any more information regarding cars of more than 40 years of age ? We are planning to take two “classic” cars to Lille this Wednesday 20th September and i’m beginning to have second thoughts.
Thanks Paul
Hi Pete, many thanks for your efforts. Checked the site you recommended and it would appear they mean cars over 30 years of age can “circulate” which I would think means are not banned from the city. I don’t know weather this is the case when pollution levels are very high, how would you know on any given day, and what changes if there is high pollution? Is all traffic affected or just certain categories such as heavy goods? They also speak about gray stickers being required. What a carry on.
Regards Paul
Can anyone give me advice on how to reduce a PDF to 400kb. I’ve tried all the options on my Mac (quartzfilter ‘reduce file size’ & ColourSync utility) & ive tried imageoptimizer.net. None of them can get the PDF down to required size without losing too much quality, i.e. It’s illegible …..
I’m at my wit’s end …..
Many thanks to anyone who can help
I had the same problem – I photocopied in black and white, then scanned said photocopy to my mac which brought it down to 378KB – it was still readable and I had confirmation that it’s been approved. Good luck – it’s not easy!!!
If you save the copy of the scan with a .jpeg extension rather than .PDF, you will have an option to reduce the file size.
I just scanned the relevant column of the first page and that was accepted.
My sticker arrived today.
Don’t know where to stick it now though instructions are of course in French.
stick at bottom of right hand side windscreen
Hi, I’m going to be travelling from Calais to Aubeterre-sur-Dronne and have been advised to go Calais, Rouen, Le Mans, Poitiers, Angouleme and then off the motorway towards Libourne. Will I need a sticker?
We are travelling through France to Spain in August and although we are not going through the cities at the moment involved, for the sake of a few Euros, have sent off for vignette.
European Union is like a kinder garden. Germany has its own stickers France made new one. Seems that governments has no brain anymore. In one trip I can travel 5 or more countries and visit capitals. Do I have to order every country stick, is more than ridiculous. With many sticks you even will not see the road.
I feel shame to be part of EU. An they even write that this stick for lifetime :) This means, that every country will have its own. Nice.
We are booked to be taking our classic car (registered 1968) on the auto train from Gare de Paris Bercy to Frejus. How are we supposed to get it to the station if it is banned to enter the zone??
Should have said that our train is booked for a Tuesday and the station accepts cars between 10am and 7pm! Thanks for the tip about exemption – I’ll have a look
Hi Laura, It’s really not a helpful system for those with classics. I am sure they’ll be forced to sort some sort of exemption. Will push for a response again.
Can anyone help me with the CO requested on the form?
I’m assuming this refers to V.1. under Exhaust Emissions on the V5?
My V5 states the CO emissions are 0.286, but the site won’t let me enter the decimal point…. Help!
I had the same problem. Eventually I left it blank. It still processed my application. Word of warning though I got issued with category 5 sticker not the 4 that I was expecting. (See my comment below).
The French use a comma where we use a decimal point (and vice-versa), so try entering ,286 instead of .286
Your CO2 emission is V7 on your reg Doc in section 4 – vehicle details
Despite using the English language version, it told me, in French (!), numbers only. It seems to accept only two, so I put 0.191 in as 19. Seemed to work.
I have just received my Crit Air vignette after a wait of approx. 7 days. I have a couple of concerns. First of all I have been issued with Crit Air 5 certificate. I was expecting No. 4 as my vehicle is a 3850kg Motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato base. First registered in June 2003 with a 2.8 Turbo diesel engine. Have I been issued with the wrong certificate? If so will this make a difference? as I’m not sure there are any different restrictions in place wrt to each category at this current moment in time all though I’m sure there will be down the line.
How can you challenge a category if you think it is wrong? We have a BMW 520d registered September 2010-definitely a Euro5 diesel, but we have been issued a critair 3 sticker which is for Euro4 diesel. It seems to go by years and will only give a critair2 sticker if the registration is after 1Jan 2011. You may have been caught by the same thing
Is there an English version of the sticker request form?
Hello Pete,
Please forgive me if I am missing something obvious but I see reference to dates that specify which certificate is needed but I don’t see anything that says in effect ‘any vehicle registered after such and such a date needs an appropriate certificate. I have a 2013 BMW 640 diesel m sport and am I correct in assuming that I need a certificate?
I am also very interested in the issue that as most people book their foreign touring holiday many months in advance, then with such a long turn around time for applications many people will have changed their cars or had a breakdown or accident not leaving enough time for a fresh application.
Are the French in effect saying we don’t really care because we don’t really want you?
Apply for the sticker shortly before leaving on your early-booked holiday. (leaving enough time to be processed of course)
Please could you clarify about what the VIN number is? Is it the serial no on the car, or the doc reg number on the front of the V5C or….? Thanks
This website s very helpful by the way
Hi.
The Vehicle Id Number is a 17 digit number found on your V5 , and also to confirm on the car it ll usually typically either be etched on your windscreen, or on a metal plate on a front door sill , or on the engine somewhere, somewhere permanent . Your manual will tell you where. ( never buy a second hand car without this key cross check )
A UK number plate alone means nothing to the Gendarmes. Never go abroad without the V5
Having said that don’t assume speed cameras means no follow up …
am only talking here about random gendarme checks and spot fine avoidance.
Has happened once a check on the way back in from Italy.
We have received our Air Quality Certificate and want to be sure we put it in the right place on the windscreen – this seems to be important to avoid a fine.
The instructions with the Certificate say it should be placed in the bottom right of the windscreen, but is that looking at the windscreen from the inside or outside?!!
Pretty sure that’s correct, lower right as from the inside – would mean not blocking the view if a French driver.
Random Google.fr check revealed – Motomag.com ” ou apposer la vignette ? Sur le pare-brise, en bas à droite, a l’intérieur ( Inside bottom right)
But seriously folks would they be that anal ?
It is supposed to go in the same zone where French cars have their insurance sticker and “MOT” – that is lower right looking from the inside. There is a video showing you how and where to put it. I am getting one even though I have no plans to drive in the 3 cities currently listed, because other towns and cities may well join in.
Taking 64 reg Hyundai to Brittany in June,do we need this new Cri”T”air sticker,or is it only certain big cities?
Hi,
I have a company car which is leased. We can take it overseas but they issue a VE103B (Vehicle on Hire Certificate).
It contains registration and VIN no and registration details. Can I submit this with my Clean Air application as I do not have the log book?
Yes. Just got one for my contract hire vehicle a couple of weeks ago. Arrived in about a fortnight.
I am particually interested to know what I need to display when entering/passing through a Crit-Air zone. I have a 1992 Fiat Ducato based motorhome with a mass of 4200Kg I also have a “Blue Badge”. Do I need any form of vignette or disc to conform this, or is it a trust thing where I would be only requested to show my Blue Badge if I was in one of the Zones?
A simple question I guess but confirmation would be very helpful.
Well done on such a helpful site.
It seems Blue Badge holders are exempt from the scheme. I will post the link to the page tomorrow
Thanks for the kind words too. Will try to confirm if a sticker is also required but I don’t think so.
My understanding is that the restrictions do not apply to Blue Badge holders but you still have to display the Crit’Air sticker on the vehicle. This taken from the Air Quality Certificate Service FAQ – https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/en/foire-aux-questions
YES. Eligible vehicles still have to display a quality certificate in circumstances where it is required, especially in restricted traffic zones.
However, traffic restrictions do not apply to vehicles with a parking card for people with disabilities.
Hi – Yes, that would seem to be the case.
My company lease firm emails me a copy of the V5 and I uploaded it . I received my sticker in a week.
Do we need a sticker if we are only driving near Lyon, Grenoble we going to the Alps can anyone help please.
As long as you stay out of the cities, you are fine.
Hi Gail,
with regards Lyon and Grenoble , there are maps on French sites that show that so long as you stick to the main ring roads / called ‘peripheriques’ and don t enter the urban zones you are fine without the sticker.
As a general point you would be travelling at an average 40-50 mph all along, so there no reason really to believe that any kind of enforcement could possibly take place anyway ( some hi-tech flying drone perhaps ?! )
Hi can anyone tell me if it only applies to Paris or is it other towns/cities in France? Urgent as off tomorrow to France!
Hi Rosemary – Paris, Lyon and Grenoble.
Thanks. Is that the actual city centres or does it include the ring roads around the cities?
The ring roads are the outer limit of the zones, so should be okay – certainly the case with Paris. Will confirm the others now.
Hi Pete,
Can you please tell me how to upload my file of my v5 form. At the bottom of the form which I have to complete, it says upload reg, document. I do this this , then press SAVE and nothing happens. Can you please help.
Hi – Is it the right size? Under 400k? It might be an idea to try a different browser – Firefox, Chrome etc? Let me know if it doesn’t work. Anyone else had issues? Let me know how you get on Dave and I will get on to the team there if no movement.
Hi Pete
Thanks for your reply. My file size is 3.6 mb, which I thought was 360 kb. I,ve just realised it is 3600 kb.
I must try harder, but when my excuse is my age.
Thanks
Dave
Dear Pete,
I have been trying for days to complete the form, but it keeps telling me that there are errors with my registration number (B13JDB), date of reg (31/10/2011) and make (BMW). I have tried using Firefox, Chrome and an ipad. Is there perhaps a problem with the personalised plate? The helpline just says try using Chrome or getting someone to help! Any ideas?
Going from Calais to San Remo in April. My car is a 2016 BMW Deisel Tourer, Selected the quickest route with tolls on the michelin route planner. Does my car need one and will I go into Lyon crit air space. Many thanks
If you go in side Lyon, you will need one. Otherwise you will be fine.
Hi Pete / Bev
We often drive Calais-Bordighera via Lyon – tunnel de Fourviere.
Wondering if this counts as Crit Air now ?
Peter
Looking into the ‘Lyon’ question. Will post more here.
Hi Bev
Calais to Liguria
Have you perhaps considered the other great routes , all far more scenic –
1. Geneva – MtBlanc tunnel Val d Aosta same distance.
2. Chambery – Frejus tunnel – Turin Savona same distance
3. Grenoble – Sisteron route Napoleon ( fewer tolls, shorter, takes 2 h longer)
4. CH Basel – Gotthard – Lake Como ( Swiss motorway vignette 40 euros , longer but stunning route )
Loving the sound of those routes!
Ah still a few more on my to do list – only poss from May
CH Lausanne- Gt St Bernard pass ( The Italian Job M.Caine ). or Lausanne Brig – Simplonpass lago d pets, or via Nufenenpass to lake Como
Grenoble – Briancon – Montgenevre Turin Savona
Gap – colle della Magdalena – col de Tende.
via Lyon Centre quite boring by comparison
I agree… heading down that way in Aug, so will pick one. Thanks
Deffo recommend then a lake Como stopover, hotel metropole suisse by the lake , ferry and eateries/drinkeries cannot go wrong. Did this last year. Going over the Gotthard pass too lots of photo opps on the way – exit the motorway at Wasser shortly before the tunnel to avoid the traffic.
Set off from Calais midnight -2am ideally ..
Great – thanks for the route. Want to go now!
I applied for my badge last Sunday and it arrived in the post the following Friday without any issues. Admittedly, the confirmation email didn’t come through until late on the Monday but all was fine after that.
Thanks Ash – good to hear it can work well.
Hell Ash,
How did you manage to attach a photocopy of your v5 certificate.
When I selected the appropriate file, all it said was save, and nothing happened
Dave
It only needs P2 showing vehicle details and registered keeper.
I am driving to France in a couple of days so the car sticker will not come in time. Will the emailed copy suffice?
Yes, apparently it will. It may take longer than a few days for the email to arrive. Get the application in as soon as…
HI can this be done by phone contact
No – website only unfortunately
I want to know this too, or can it be done by post. We are having trouble adding the reg document
I have received my sticker and in my haste have stuck it to the wrong side of the car – according to the official site it needs to be on the right hand side as you sit in the car (not the ‘right’ of the car as you look at it from the outside).
I have emailed them to see if this will make a difference…
Applied for mine on a Friday night, got the confirmation and certificate on the following Sunday and the sticker arrived the following Friday. Bit of guess work for some of the questions which are in English but the message about what was wrong was still in French – thank you Google translate
We’re did apply for it the site is in French
Have tried to apply but the website does not accept personalised number plates! Help!!
Get on to their help email. They do reply.
I have applied for and received total of 6 stickers to date for 6 coaches – 2 of which have personalised number plates. Not a problem if personalised VRM has been registered with DVLA and a V5 for the personalised number received.
It accepted mine OK.
Just a thought as I am filling in the form. If my English car is caught speeding in France (which, of course, I never do ) the French have no access to British data and can’t send me a fine through the post. If I complete this form giving my registration number and address am I then opening myself to fines?
I was thinking the same thing, after reading this I do not need one as my wife is disabled and has a Blue parking badge sss
oh yes they so can !
I got caught speeding after a tunnel above Menton, and didn’t hear the last of it
Best policy is just do as they ask, and don’t break the laws
Their speed limit policies are generally more sensible than ours, and with regards environmental matters too
The French do have access to British data and if you are caught in a speed trap you will subsequently receive a ticket by post at your registered vehicle address. You should pay the fine too.
Hi All
Does anyone have an address in France to send a postal request to please.
managed to print off a French application, filled it in, copied my logbook details in colour & put 5Euros in with details. but can not find a address to post it all to.
07836289232 please.
Dear John,
Here is the address from the official website but it is only for French Registered vehicles;
Voie postale :
Service de délivrance des Certificats Qualité de l’Air
BP 50637
59506 Douai Cedex
If you can I would strongly recommend ordering it online.; Now that the capacity for the attachment has been increased to 400kb the application should be much easier.
Alternatively you can send your question to the official e-mail address which is:
contact@certificat-air.gouv.fr
Good luck.
Edward
I have tried many times in the last few days to apply, but I get no further than the screen that wants me to move on to the payment screen, but it just hangs and says ‘connecting’ but it never does. anyone having the same problem
7 weeks after applying for the Crit Air on the government site, them taking payment but me never receiving an order number or confirmation (the screen just stuck on the payment receipt), and after several emails asking what the status of my order was (as you can’t search on their system with a non-French registration number, and without an order number), I have finally had a response from them saying that my order did not process completely and that payment “would not have been taken” until it had been accepted.
Just emailed them with a screenshot of my credit card statement showing that (contrary to what they said) payment was taken from my credit card – so I guess I now have to place another order and wait for a refund of the first. Wonder how many times I’ll end up paying before I finally get the certificate?
does one stick in the widow or outside on bumper
I would fix it inside as the adhesive is on the front of the disc
I spoke to Europcar today about driving a hire car from UK to Paris in May. They’d never heard of Crit’Air and said it would be our responsibility to sort out a certificate. Impossible without even knowing which car they will give us, and they can’t do that until we pitch up on the day. Helpful – NOT!
Hi yes. I have spoken to press offices and they are totally unaware of how the system works. See above. I predict fines – and admin charges- being passed on to customers. As you say, hire firms need to buy them now. Unlikely!
Many thanks for all your guidance on applying for the certificate which is much appreciated, particularly with regard to attaching a copy of the registration document. My document was in PDF format and luckily after much trial and error I found a website which converted it to JPEG at the right size.
I have now received an e-mail saying that my application has been approved, with my home address on the attachment, but stating that the certificate will be posted to the registered address on the Car Registration Document. As the car is leased the this will be the car leasing company’s address. Are we sure that it will be posted to the registered address rather than the home address which they have on file? It does seem rather cumbersome and prone to certificates getting lost.
Hi. Will look into this – it’s an issue for people who use hire vehicles too. I would hope that the French system cross-references a database … but who knows. It’s not as straightforward as you’d imagine is it?
Dear Pete,
I am pleased to advise that the Certificate arrived at my home address rather than at the Registered Keeper’s address (the car leasing company). This is good news but the website is incorrect in stating that certificates will be sent to the registered address. Perhaps this is some feedback which can be sent to the Government Agency?
Many thanks for all your efforts on this website.
Edward
Thanks for the update Edward,this will be very useful. Thanks again and enjoy your trip.
Dear Peter,
Thank you for your reply – here is the wording in the e-mail confirming that my application had been approved and which is incorrect in stating that the certificate would be sent to my address where the car is registered (in my case the leasing company)…
“Votre certificat sera expédié prochainement par courrier à l’adresse où le véhicule est enregistré”.
Very confusing and wrong and I am sure that others, like me, contacted their leasing company to say that they might receive the certificate and could they kindly post it on to the home address.
Edward
As an interim process, I received a ‘facture’ by email – a receipt with a reproduction of the sticker I was to receive at the foot. The receipt said that this could be printed and used in the interim while waiting for the sticker itself. As this will come to you, I think that possibly this will solve your immediate problem.
Hi we are driving to Disneyland Paris from Calais will we need a sticker?
Disneyland Paris is outside the Crit’Air zone, so along as you’re not heading into the city, then no.
I use a lot of rental vans abroad in France and the problem is that the rental companies can not confirm vehicle reg numbers to me until maybe a week before I go if im lucky so what happens if I need a disc quickly or I have to change the vehicle !! …reading previous comments of 30 days wait etc….!! .
This is one for your hire firm. They will need to get the certificate because you won’t have the registration document. If they don’t and you’ve told them you’re heading to Paris, it seems unlikely they would be able to pass on the fine. In theory.
Good morning I received an email yesterday informing me that my application was successful, therefore the information I supplied was correct, I.e copy of page 2 of log book, VIN number and make and model of vehicle. At the bottom of the email is a copy of the Crit air sticker which you can display in your windscreen until you receive the proper one. According to the RAC at least 22 other towns and cities are looking to introduce this scheme within the next thee years.
Hello James, Please could you confirm that it was definitely and only page 2 of the V5C vehicle registration document containing sections 4 – 8 which you supplied and you were successful in getting your Crit’ Air with? This is the page which has all of the vehicles details on it and the registered keepers name and address. If so, I think your answer will relieve many people’s anxiety over suppying the correct information.
I only sent page 2, and my order was accepted.
I applied on 14th February, after some effort to comply with the 200KB scan restriction.
The charge was taken from my French bank account and a confirmation issued by e-mail with a reference number so that the vignette progress could be checked. I was informed that the vignette could take around 30 days to arrive at my English address by post. I have today received a further e-mail showing my invoice for €4.80 paid, and a slip which I can print off, showing my yellow 2 sticker, which I can use to prove that my car is legal to enter Paris, until my actual sticker arrives in the post. Although I am going into Paris prior to 31 March I am therefore covered for a return journey after 1 April because the actual sticker for the windscreen will arrive at my English address whilst I am still abroad. If all goes well then it seems to be reasonably well organised. Whether all this will make any significant difference to actual air quality remains to be seen
What happens if I buy the permit/sticker before the required date but change my car after the end of March and before the anticipated date of travel which is not until June? Does it make any difference that because I use a personalised registration plate, that mark would remain the same even though the make of vehicle (although still a car) and its year of first registration/emissions etc. may be entirely different?
The system is very clear that it applies to the vehicle and not the driver. You would certainly be risking a fine if you failed to get a new one. Frustrating, I know.
Hi.
I will be driving on the A6 and A7 motorways which run into the centre of Lyon. Does anyone know if they are far enough in that they fall into the Crit’air zone?
There’s no need to go through Lyon – a hairy passage at the best of times. There’s a clearly marked ring road which will obviate the need for a sticker. However, saying that, I’ve just applied for a sticker as I enjoy the challenge!
I think it may be the ring road I was meaning it goes along the riverside and through a tunnel if my memory serves me right. This is the way my Sat Nav takes me anyway. Is this where you’re meaning? If so then no sticker required is great.
The ring branches off north of the city by the giant “tuning fork” as I call it, the route straight throu tunnel and out next to river is most direct but not ring road.
The road by the riverside is the direct route through Lyon. The ring road starts well before you get there, well signposted for E15 and trucks – it’s a fork right instead of straight on. The riverside will need the sticker. I received my sticker (Group 1) yesterday and am about to apply it. Two points: – I scanned the entire l.h. page of the registration document at 96 d.p.i. and it gave a file of a tad over the 240 kb they request. You could scan just the column with all the details on at 96 d.p.i. or try a lesser resolution. nThe main question I have is how one knows which stickers are unwelcome at which times – are there warning signs on the gantries, for example? I’m hoping my little Fiesta 1.0 ecoboost will be welcome anywhere all the time!
All major trunk routes through Lyon-Villeurbanne incl the ‘Lyon-Centre’ A6-Fourviere-A7 route do Not require the vignette. It is clear when searching on French websites. Same Paris ring road route logic currently applies to Lyon and Grenoble.
I do suggest you avoid the pain of an hour long detour around Lyon whenever possible
Around Nice at rush hour – now that’s a challenge !
Hi Rob
Had the same qn earlier.
After searching thru some French sites it does appear that , likewise the Paris periph, the major trunk routes thru and around Lyon/ Villeurbanne are exempt. This includes the A7-Fourviere tunnel- A6 ‘in the know veteran’ route ( check 107.7 FM first for snarl ups).
Same logic for Grenoble, just keep to the ring road.
But if you have an extra hour to spare by all means follow that first Marseille sign you see and take the long long ring road all around Lyon and the back of beyond. Usually unnecessary.
If you google Crit’Air or ZCR … Lyon or Grenoble you should eventually come across a useful map that reveals all
Hi – I will update this feature with the details for Gronoble and Lyon.
Hi, I have 1992 Talbot Express camper-van. I understand that this is barred from entering the city between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, however is it OK to drive through the city outside of these times (ie. at night/ on weekends) and without having a Crit’Air sticker? Many thanks, Adam.
Yes – outside of these times is okay. Additionally, The Paris ring road ((Boulevard Périphérique) can be used at any time.
Thanks Pete, also just as a matter of interest …if I were to visit the city for the day, during a weekday, arriving early and leaving late (say arriving at 7am and leaving at 9pm), parking in a public carpark, would this be OK without a Crit’Air sticker? as my vehicle would be parked-up and stationary for the barred time period.
Hi Adam, That is an interesting one. I believe it is just cars that drive during the periods. I can’t imagine that all residents of Paris – who also have to adhere – would take kindly to clearing the ‘offending’ cars from their homes in the city. I will contact the office for an official response, but I think you must be correct.
Hi Pete, it would be interesting to find this out from the officials. Let me know if you get an answer :)
Hi – Have sent a message. Will put answer on here.
Hi there. I have applied for the sticker on 2nd Feb 2017. Got the receipt page via an email Euro 4.80 was paid so i am sure it was the correct site.. Everything looks OK. Paid OK, but on the French site it says that i will receive an email showing the sticker i will receive. I haven’t received this yet.
I have sent them a question vis their site asking if everything is of with my on-line application? I have had no reply and on the tracking page it just tells me ‘ in progress’.
We are driving through Lyon soon and are staying in an hotel in the centre of Lyon so we will need the sticker.
What do i do if we do not have the sticker? and why have we not had any form of contact from them. Has anyone in the UK received the sticker?
Hi – What site was it?
https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr
Hi Paul – that is the official site, so should be fine. Unsure why no confirmation arrived.
Hi Paul, Pete,
This is exactly the same problem I had and waited 7 weeks for a response from the government site about, which ended up saying the order didn’t complete properly as I hadn’t clicked a button to complete the order, that I wouldn’t have been charged (i.e. that payment is only taken when the order is accepted). But no ‘button’ ever appeared (site got stuck on the receipt) and the transaction did go through fully on my credit card. So I’ve emailed them back today to demand a refund and advise them that their site is not working as they think it is.
Email from Crit Air people copied below:
Bonjour,
Après vérifications, il s’avère que vous n’avez pas finalisé votre commande.
En effet, après le paiement et la réception du détail de la transaction, il faut cliquer sur « continuer » afin d’accéder à l’onglet 4 « récapitulatif » pour finaliser votre commande.
Nous vous invitons donc à réitérer celle-ci.
Par ailleurs, nous vous informons que votre paiement est validé uniquement après acceptation de votre demande.
Cordialement,
Hi Cara, Thanks for your comment. Looks like there are going to be a few problems with this system. There’s a good chance that things will come tumbling down as the big summer rush begins. Keep us updated on how the refund goes.
Likewise I’ve (finally) had the logbook reduced and sent off the Application. I’ve received the confirmatory e-mail and the 4.80 Euros has been taken from my Credit Agricole Account. The confirmatory e-mail did not show the sticker I will eventually (?) receive! Twice during the Application process I contacted their FAQs, with no reply. (I gather they’re taking on more staff)! When I try to track my Application I get nowhere – it states “incorrect registration no” despite me putting in the correct no which coincides with the car, logbook, Application and confirmatory e-mail!
Roll on the 30 days when it’s supposed to arrive, but I’m not getting too excited!
Now I am excited! I’ve received the confirmatory e-mail WITH the copy of the yellow certificate. I can use this if stopped before receiving the stick-on Certificate which should arrive in the next 2 or 3 weeks(?). The time from Application (eventually)! to receipt of this confirmatory e-mail was c.10 days. Thanks for the help (including emotional support)! and good luck – hopefully their Application process will become more “friendly” and applicants won’t need it!
Good luck.
Hi Pete
It’s now been 30 days and still no sticker. I have sent them 2 emails via their link and no reply. What’s the delay? Has anyone in the UK had their sticker?
I have noticed this morning on their web site that disabled cars (people) do not need this sticker….is that correct? It does state on my log book (copy sent) that my car is disabled so maybe that’s the delay. If so then you would think there would be a refund and something to show the police, if stopped by them, that the car is a disabled car.
Thanks mate
Paul
Hi Paul – Hopefully Bob’s reply will help. All looking a bit hit and miss.
Morning Pete
I got my yellow sticker through the post today…..all good but lack of e mails from them makes you think your not going to get it.
From start to finish (receiving it) it’s taken 32 days so there’s hope for all them who are waiting.
Thanks for letting me know Paul. Will put this info in the guide. It’s good to have all this real experience of the system for when the summer panic starts… me included, I have to confess.
Hi. Which page of the logbook do you have to upload? The system will only accept 200kb jpeg or png of the logbook. thank you
The inside page with the vehicle details and registered keeper, hope this helps
Thank you. Have applied however have not received any confirmation email. Money have been taken from credit card. Any idea how long to wait for confirmation email?
Update on Crit’air order. Placed order on 18 Feb 2017. Paid by credit card and no confirmation email received. Received an email today to confirm application was successful with an attachment which contain the sticker number. In my case with diesel euro6 I received number two yellow sticker. The email was in French and the attachment as well was in French. They did mention that the sticker is on its way in the post and the email attachment can be used as proof.
Application website currently states:
The attachment must be in .pdf, .png or .jpeg format and must not exceed 400kB
I had fun getting my scan down to below 200kB (actually managed 141kB and still readable).
what does EURO STANDARD mean on application form.Please.
Not sure what it means but you do not need this information as is not a mandatory field
Is there still talks on allowing classic vehicles more than 30 years old, exempt from these rules?
Yes. I will update when finalised.
Trying multiple times but will not save after scaned log book, any ideas
Hi Steve – Is it still a problem? I will contact them if it’s still not working.
Hi Pete – exactly the same problem as Steve. Just scanning (presumably the relevant) p.2 of the V5C is sized at 2.2MB rather than the allowed 200KB. A huge scan, and a miniscule allowance! Any suggestions as Steve and surely can’t be the only frustrated applicants!
Hi – it really is a poorly thought out service. Have you access to photoshop to optomise it? If stuck let me know and I can help out – if you’re happy to share you doc.
Many thanks, Pete. My IT literate son has optimized and resized my p.2 Scan so hopefully it will now work. But this must be a common problem – I see “Bob” has had the same problem.
Glad you got it sorted. I added a bit to the blog about this. Thanks for highlighting it as I have not used the service yet (going over later in the year).
Hi we are having trouble reducing the log book. Can you advise please. My email issandraw49@hotmail.co.uk
Hi – Try putting the file through this online tool. It should work. http://www.imageoptimizer.net/Pages/Home.aspx
I found it would not save until the document was no larger than 200 Kb. Once it was the correct size it ‘ saved ‘ first time
when filling in the online form, there’s a section titled Brand, any idea what this is?
is the car make i.e. ford. or something else.
additionally it also ask a trade name? what is this also referring to??
Yes – I believe that ‘brand’ is the make and ‘trade name’ refers to the model. Thanks.
and the serial number is the Doc Ref No on the V5C form?
Thanks
I believe so. Let me know if you have any problems. Thanks
Hi. Which page of the logbook do you have to upload? The system will only accept 200kb jpeg or png of the logbook. thank you
I will try to get their word on this.
Hi Michael like you I was unsure what the seriel number was, according to a friends insurance company it is the VIN number they want. I applied yesterday and my application was successful. I will leave another reply when (and if) I receive my sticker
When I enter Citroën under Brand it continues to say brand required. Peugeot-Citroën and Citroën C4 doesn’t work either and I can’t find any help facility on the website.
I agree with Pete re the Brand and Trade Name, but my difficulty is attaching the scanned V5C. I assume p.2 only is required but against the allowed 200KB the size of my p.2 Scan is 2.20MB! Where am I going wrong?!
Give me a shout if stuck
Page 2 is correct but you will need to reduce it to 200kb before it will save the information
Hi Michael the brand is the the make of vehicle, I added the model as I was not totally sure. My application was successful. You don’t need to fill in the trade name
Just wondering if anyone has successfully applied for one of these with a UK registered car?
We tried on the first day it opened up for non-French registered cars – completed form fine – payment processed fine – but the website never provided the final confirmation page and no email confirmation has been received.
When you try to search the status of your application, you can’t search using the registration number of non-French cars and have to have an order number (which we never received). But – the transaction has been charged to my credit card. I’ve tried contacting them twice via their online contact form but have yet to receive a response…
Hi. Was it the official site? Let us know how you get on.
Yes – it was the official site: https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/
Will keep you posted…
That’s good. There are quite a few sites offering a ‘service’ that looks a little dubious. I tried to use the official site yesterday and found it rather confusing. I will see if I can get more information on tracking non-French plates. The embassy press office has been helpful, so far. Let me know if anything changes at your end. Thanks.
Hi. Could someone please confirm which page of the V5C certificate picture need uploading for the application. The system allows only one picture to be uploaded however the V5C is 4 pages. Thanks
Hi yes I applied yesterday and was successful. I was able to print the receipt. I also received an email confirming my application. I was also unable to track the application due to ‘ incorrect registration number ‘ so your probably right about recognising UK. Cars
Can you pay for these permits by credit card?
Hi – Yes, I believe cards will be the main method.
You can only pay by card as it is an online application
I’m driving a new petrol car from Calais to the champagne area in September this year. I will not be going to Paris, Grenoble or Lyons. Will any cities in that area introduce this scheme? Will I need a Crit’Air sticker?
No. You will be fine. Just avoid the aforementioned. No need to buy a Crir’Air sticker. Have a great trip.
So if I’m driving my 2CV to southern France via Paris and stay on the Peripherique there’s no problem?
Yes, the official site defines the zone as inside the Peripherique. Enjoy the trip!
I’ve also own a Citroen 2CV, the average emissions test puts them at 151. There doesn’t appear to be a facility for older classic cars. My 2Cv is fastidiously maintained and in Suberb condition, will I be banned from entering any of the above cities?
You may be barred at certain times. There is, however, talk of exemptions for classic cars. Will update when confirmed.
From Calais (?) to the South best to avoid Paris altogether, quicker via Reims-Dijon-Lyon, unless you are planning to see the new grandiose Millau ( MrBean on holiday) bridge that is …
hi driving 2.8 jtd motorhome and not going to any of these cities just driving through france to spain will i still need these stickers ???? cheers glyn.
No it is like the London Congestion Charge – only if visiting these cities.
How will the system cope with cars that have no emissions data recorded on the V5C, or where section D2 is entirely blank?
If all cars displaying the badges 0 to 5 are still allowed to drive in Paris; what is the point? One badge for cars made before 1996 (1997 for vans) would be sufficient and those would have to adhere to the restrictions. Simple solution or am I missing something?
If you read the details, what cars are permitted or banned will depend on the pollution forecast for that day, the higher the pollution the more categories will be banned, starting with the highest polluters. On good days no cars will be banned. I think.
Yes – but older cars that don’t qualify for a Crit’Air will be barred 8AM-8PM Mon-Fri regardless of pollution levels.
As mentioned in the guide, this not a new scheme, but a new way of enforcing it…
And yes, you do not need to worry if not driving in Paris (or Grenoble or Lyon).
Hello…
Does the Crit’Air apply to 62 plates cars as well ? I am checking my V5 doc as well.
Any updates on Lille implementing this ? We are off to Northern France in 10 days and want to drive down there.
Cheers
Will you still be able to drive a horse and cart in Paris.
Providing it is a left-hand drive horse… however, I expect there is some form of permit required – there always is.
You will have to have the horse’s “emissions” checked I suspect – particularly if it is elderly
What happens with my son’s classic (26? Year old) VW camper van?
Typical French beaureaocracy.British plates tell you the date of registration but that’s not enough control for a socialist state.It why we need Brexit to escape from these control freaks.
Hi David
The registration plate do have loop holes such as cherished plates and Northern Irish Plates.
Rules in London’s LEZ are even more restrictive and costly, us heavy oil burners days are numbered it seems in our own country, if you take notice of political speak that is.
Hi David
It will not be allowed, similar to the London LEZ.