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Crit’Air Anti-Pollution Regulations in France
Learn how France’s Crit’Air system affects car dealers, where ZFE and ZPA restrictions apply, and how to get a sticker. Stay compliant, avoid fines, and sell smarter!
When driving in France, you’ll probably notice vignettes on vehicles. Most likely, you’re looking at Crit’Air air quality certificates, which show a vehicle’s emission level.
The Crit’Air vignettes (clean air stickers) are part of France’s environmental sticker system that controls which vehicles can enter certain low-emission zones (ZFE).
What does this have to do with your used car dealership?
Well, if you’re selling cars in France, your customers may need the right Crit’Air vignette to drive in certain areas. Knowing how this system works can help you sell smarter, avoid issues, and ensure your inventory meets buyer expectations.
So, let’s see how the Crit’Air system functions, which vehicle categories exist, and how to get the required sticker.
What is the Crit’Air certificate?
The Crit’Air certificate is a color-coded sticker introduced by the French government to categorize vehicles based on their emission levels. The goal of the system is to improve the air quality by regulating vehicle access to certain areas, especially during high pollution periods.
Cars aren’t the only vehicles that need vignettes. All motorized vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, buses, and trucks, are required to display this sticker when driving in designated zones.
Crit’Air categories
The Crit’Air system sorts vehicles into six color-coded categories based on their emissions and registration date.
The green sticker (Category 0) is reserved for electric and hydrogen vehicles, which produce no direct emissions.
From there, categories become progressively stricter.
Category 1 covers cleaner petrol, hybrid, and gas-powered vehicles, while Category 2 includes slightly older models with higher emissions.
As the numbers go up, the restrictions increase.
Category 5 includes the oldest and most polluting diesel and petrol cars, which face the biggest restrictions in low-emission zones.
You can find precise classifications and emission standards in the table below.
Image source: Wikipedia
Where are Crit’Air stickers necessary?
Crit’Air stickers are mandatory in several French cities and regions, mostly within established Low-Emission Zones (Zones à Faibles Émissions or ZFE).
Some of the notable areas include:
- Paris and the Greater Paris Area: Restrictions apply to vehicles with higher emission levels, especially within the A86 ring road.
- Lyon: The city has implemented a ZFE affecting certain vehicle categories.
- Grenoble: A ZFE is in place.
- Strasbourg: The Eurometropolis has established a ZFE targeting high-emission vehicles.
Since ZFEs vary by city, it’s best to check local regulations before driving or selling vehicles in France. Urban Access Regulations offers a helpful interactive map where you can see which cities have low-emission zones and what restrictions apply.
Image source: Urban Access Regulations
It’s also important to note that restrictions aren’t limited to these fixed zones.
Temporary measures (called Zones de Protection de l’Air, or ZPA) can be introduced during high pollution periods. On these days, all vehicles may be required to display a valid Crit’Air sticker, and there are additional limits on higher-emission cars.
Unlike permanent low-emission zones, ZPAs are only activated when pollution levels exceed a certain threshold, helping to quickly reduce emissions and improve air quality.
Why do Crit’Air stickers matter for car dealers in France?
If you’re selling used cars in or to France, the Crit’Air vignettes aren’t just a bureaucratic detail—the restriction system directly impacts what cars you can sell and who will buy them.
Let’s go through a list of key reasons why Crit’Air stickers matter for car dealers and how they can influence your sales and pricing.
Reason #1 Assessing demand for vehicles based on restrictions
Crit’Air stickers determine where you can drive a car, which affects demand.
Buyers in cities with strict ZFE will prioritize cars with better Crit’Air ratings, while older, high-emission vehicles may be harder to sell. Dealers who understand these trends can adjust their inventory accordingly.
Reason #2 Pricing vehicles with Crit’Air ratings in mind
Cars with higher emissions may face restrictions, which lowers their resale value. On the other hand, vehicles with better ratings are more attractive in regulated areas.
Knowing how Crit’Air categories affect demand in different regions lets you price cars competitively and maximize profit.
Reason #3 Helping buyers stay compliant
Selling cars that buyers can’t legally drive in certain areas can lead to unhappy customers and lost sales. So, knowing which cars comply with local rules will let you offer vehicles that fit your customers’ needs without unexpected roadblocks.
Do you need to purchase a vignette as a car dealer?
If you’re running a used car dealership that’s simply buying and reselling vehicles, you generally don’t need to purchase a Crit’Air vignette.
The responsibility for getting the sticker falls on the buyer, who will be driving the car in France.
However, there are exceptions depending on how your business operates.
For instance, if you offer test drives, transport inventory, or transport cars between locations, then you’ll need the appropriate sticker for each vehicle you’re driving in a ZFE.
All in all, if your business is strictly buying and selling cars, you likely don’t need to purchase a Crit’Air vignette. But if you or your customers will be driving the cars within low-emission zones before resale, it’s best to check local regulations to avoid fines or restrictions.
How to obtain the Crit’Air vignette?
The vignette is fairly easy to get—you only have to be careful to order yours in advance as it can take up to ten days before you receive it by mail.
You can start by visiting the official Crit’Air sticker website. You’ll enter your registration info, which you can find on your registration certificate (formerly known as carte grise).
Applying for the vignette online
After that, you’ll proceed with entering your personal information and email. The next step is to upload a digital copy of the required documents, like your car’s registration certificate.
You’ll receive payment instructions and pay the cost of the sticker, €3.81.
Lastly, you’ll receive an email confirmation, and the physical sticker will be mailed to the address on your vehicle’s registration certificate within 10 days.
FAQ
► How much do the Crit’Air stickers cost?
Stickers for cars registered in France cost €3.81. For cars registered abroad, the total cost is €5.20.
► How long does the sticker last?
Crit’Air stickers do not expire and are valid for the vehicle’s lifetime, as long as they remain readable.
► How do I know I’m in a ZFE?
You’ll see road signs labeled "Zone à Faibles Émissions" (ZFE) when entering a low-emission zone.
► Which cities in France need a Crit’Air sticker?
Major cities like Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Paris, Strasbourg, and Toulouse require Crit’Air stickers. More cities are adding ZFEs, so check local rules before driving.
► What are the costs of non-compliance?
Driving in a restricted zone without the correct Crit’Air sticker can result in fines of €68 for cars and €135 for trucks and buses. If you use the wrong sticker for your vehicle, the fine is also €135, and it can reach an absolute maximum of €750.
