Do you need a Crit’Air sticker to drive in France this summer?

You may or may not be familiar with Crit’Air stickers, but they’re a vital consideration if you’re planning on working abroad in France this year. Essentially, they’re a legal requirement for accessing certain urban areas, functioning much like the UK’s Low Emission Zones – but enforced with on-the-spot fines for non-compliance. Basically, they’re used to categorise vans and other vehicles based on emissions, and French authorities use them to restrict access to some of the country’s busiest cities during high-pollution periods or on a permanent basis. If you’re driving for work, visiting clients, or delivering goods, having one gives you peace of mind against the possibility of potential disruptions, and help you to avoid unnecessary penalties.

Now, if you’ve been looking at the international news recently, you may have noticed that French ministers last month sensationally voted to abolish the nation’s low emission zones, with the zones à faibles émissions (ZFEs) criticised for hitting hardest the drivers who aren’t yet able to afford less-polluting vehicles – although it’s worth noting that we’ve got plenty of cheap van deals on newer and less polluting vehicles right here at The Van Discount Company!

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The big question you probably want the answer to is: do you still need a Crit’Air sticker? In short, if you’re going to France then probably yes. The details are below – but first, let’s have a quick recap on the basics.

What is a Crit’Air sticker?

A Crit’Air sticker is basically an official badge issued by the French government that shows your van’s emissions category. The system uses six colour-coded categories that range from green for fully electric vans, to grey for the oldest and most polluting ones. These classifications are determined by factors like your van’s age, its fuel type, and its emissions levels. This information allows French authorities to control which vans can enter urban areas during periods of high pollution or under permanent city restrictions.

As a UK driver, the sticker determines whether you’re allowed into specific zones, including central areas of Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and other large cities. If you don’t display one when required, you can face fines that can disrupt your trip and add unnecessary costs to your journey. To get one, you’ll need to apply through the French government website, provide details of your van, and wait for it to be posted to you. It’s an inexpensive but essential step that gives you peace of mind while driving through regulated areas.

Have Crit’Air stickers been revoked?

On 29 May, French ministers voted 98-51 to scrap the low-emission zones after a group of MPs from the ruling party sided with opposition members from the right and far right. This vote came after months of growing criticism of the zones à faibles émissions (ZFEs), which had been rolled out across major cities since 2019. Opponents argued that these restrictions unfairly penalised drivers who couldn’t afford to replace older vans, while business groups raised concerns about the impact on those who rely on their vehicles for work.

Despite this, the vote hasn’t revoked the Crit’Air stickers. That’s because the stickers are part of a separate national vehicle classification system, and the 29 May decision only targeted the local low-emission zones that use them. Further legislative steps are needed before any changes take effect, and until then the Crit’Air system remains fully in place. Cities including Paris, Lille, Lyon and Toulouse are still operating their low-emission areas, and drivers must continue to display valid stickers when entering them.

So do you still need a Crit’Air sticker when you’re driving in France?

Yes – the political hurdles haven’t yet been cleared, so the stickers haven’t been abolished. If you’re planning to drive in any French city with a low-emission zone, you must order a sticker before leaving the UK, as they aren’t available to buy within France. The application process can take up to six weeks, so it’s really important to get this sorted well in advance of your trip!

Once issued, the sticker remains valid for the lifetime of your van, so thankfully you won’t need to reapply unless you change vans. This makes it a worthwhile investment if you regularly travel to France for work.

Of course, if you are ever planning to change vans – either imminently or at some point in the future – that’s exactly where we can help here at The Van Discount Company. We’re the top choice for the very best cheap van deals. We’ve even been able to save some customers up to 30% off the RRP of selected models – and you can take your pick from a wide variety of models, including Citroen, Peugeot, Ford and Vauxhall.