106 BADGE OF HONOUR FOR YOUR EMISSIONS...

Hot on the heels of finding out that we need to pay for ETIAS, it now seems the French want a few Euros from us, too. The Crit'Air vignette is a mandatory emissions-based sticker required for vehicles driving in some regions of France. 

It is designed to reduce pollution and improve air quality. It classifies vehicles based on their emissions levels and is essential for driving in restricted zones, especially during periods of high pollution.

I'm unsure how a sticker - probably made of planet-killing plastic - will stop pollution, so I did some digging.

Key Facts About Crit’Air Vignettes

What Is It?

- A colour-coded sticker that indicates the vehicle's emissions category.  

- Categories range from Crit'Air 0 (green) for electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles to Crit'Air 5 (grey) for the most polluting vehicles.  

Who Needs It?

- All vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, buses, and trucks, whether French-registered or foreign-registered

- If you plan to drive in restricted areas, you must display a vignette, regardless of your stay.

Where Is It Required?

Low-emission zones (ZCR or ZFE-m): Permanent zones, such as parts of Paris, Lyon, and Grenoble.

Temporary Restrictions (ZPA zones): Triggered during pollution spikes in cities like Lille or Strasbourg.  

- Signs indicate the boundaries of these zones.

How Does It Work?

- Vehicles with higher emissions may be restricted or banned from certain zones depending on the Crit'Air category and pollution levels.  

- The restrictions vary by city and may change during pollution alerts.

How to Get One:

Apply Online: The official Crit'Air website offers applications for French and foreign vehicles.  

Cost: Around €5 for domestic orders; slightly higher for international delivery.  

- Documents Needed: Vehicle registration certificate details.  

Validity:

- The vignette is valid for the vehicle's lifetime as long as its registration details remain unchanged.  

Crit'Air Categories

Category | Colour  | Vehicle Type

Crit’Air 0  |  Green  | Electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles

Crit’Air 1  |  Purple  | Euro 5 & 6 petrol vehicles, some hybrids

Crit’Air 2  |  Yellow  | Euro 4 petrol, Euro 5 & 6 diesel

Crit'Air 3  |  Orange  | Older petrol and diesel vehicles

Crit'Air 4  |  Bordeaux  | Older diesel vehicles (Euro 3)

Crit'Air 5  |  Grey  | Oldest diesel vehicles (Euro 2)

Penalties for Non-Compliance

- Driving without a Crit'Air vignette in a restricted zone can result in fines of €68 to €135, depending on the vehicle type.  

- Foreign drivers are not exempt from these rules.