Today, environmental protection remains a top priority. As proof, authorities have implemented various regulations to significantly reduce the harmful effects of pollution. For example, drivers must obtain a Crit’Air sticker to drive in low-emission mobility zones.
Do you need a Crit’Air sticker for your car? In this article, discover what a Crit’Air sticker is and how to obtain one.
Crit’Air Sticker: What is it and how do you order one?
Also called an air quality certificate, the Crit’Air sticker indicates a vehicle’s class, defined according to its air pollutant emissions. This sticker, which must be affixed to your vehicle’s windshield, is mandatory for driving in various areas where low-emission mobility zones (LEZs) have been established. The Crit’Air sticker is also required for travel during periods of peak pollution. The prefect can implement a differentiated traffic scheme if they observe peaks in air pollution. In this case, the absence of the sticker can result in the vehicle being impounded. The Crit’Air sticker applies to all motor vehicles. This includes:classic cars, heavy goods vehicles,two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and quadricycles. You must also display a Crit’Air sticker if you own a coach, bus, or van. Construction equipment, agricultural machinery, classic cars, and emergency vehicles are exempt from the Crit’Air sticker requirement.
How do I obtain a Crit’Air sticker and how do I order one? Do you want to
obtain an air quality certificate?
- To do this, visit a government website or a private platform approved and authorized by the Ministry of the Interior, such as
- Vignette-air.fr
- , which offers easier and faster procedures for obtaining your Crit’Air sticker.
- Why order a Crit’Air sticker?
In urban areas, road traffic is one of the main sources of air pollution. It produces, in particular, fine particles that can cause cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. This is one of the reasons why the government is implementing various measures to combat this pollution.
The Crit’Air sticker is one of these measures. If the sticker is non-compliant or missing, the driver risks penalties. They can be fined up to €68 for a car. This fine can reach €135 for buses and trucks. Failure to pay this fine will result in an increased penalty or the vehicle being impounded. While the Crit’Air sticker is mandatory, it offers many significant advantages. Did you know, for example, that cars considered “less polluting” benefit from preferential parking arrangements? They can also circulate freely in areas with differentiated traffic restrictions. The same applies in restricted traffic zones.Which Crit’Air sticker do you need for your vehicle?
This depends on:
the EURO standard, the date of first registration,the type of engine, and
the age of your vehicle.
All the necessary information can be found on your vehicle registration document. Depending on the vehicle’s environmental class, there are six categories of Crit’Air stickers. These are: Crit’Air 0: green, for
100% hydrogen and electric vehicles.
Crit’Air 1: purple, forhybrid or gasoline vehicles
- registered after January 1, 2011, and meeting Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards.
- Crit’Air 2: yellow, for hybrid or gasoline vehicles registered between 2006 and 2010 and meeting Euro 4 standards. It also applies to
- diesel vehicles
registered after January 1, 2011, and meeting Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards. The Crit’Air 3 sticker: orange in color, it applies to hybrid or gasoline vehicles registered between 1997 and 2005 and meeting Euro 2 and Euro 3 standards. It also applies to diesel vehicles registered between 2006 and 2010 and meeting Euro 4 standards. The Crit’Air 4 sticker: brown in color, it represents diesel vehicles registered between 2001 and 2005 and meeting Euro 3 standards.
The Crit’Air 5 sticker: gray in color, it applies to diesel vehicles registered between 1997 and 2000 and meeting Euro 2 standards.
- Note: the first two are eco-stickers. They are not applicable to diesel vehicles. You should also know that cars registered before January 1, 1997, cannot circulate during periods of traffic restrictions. The reason is that they are not eligible for the air quality certificate. This is also the case for two-wheeled vehicles registered before June 1, 2000. Eco-friendly carHow to order a Crit’Air sticker?
- Individuals and professionals can easily apply for a Crit’Air sticker Are you an individual? Apply on the official website of the Ministry of the Environment. Simply access the online platform with your vehicle registration document (carte grise) or current registration certificate. If your vehicle is registered abroad, you can take advantage of the website’s multilingual service. You can also avoid these steps by entrusting them to a professional. They will advise and guide you before submitting the sticker application on the Ministry’s website. Of course, the application can also be made by mail. You will, however, need to:
- print the application form and complete it. To obtain the Crit’Air sticker, you must budget €3.62.
- After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email followed by a digital invoice. You will then have to wait 10 days to receive your certificate. It will be delivered to the address indicated on your vehicle registration document. For businesses, the application process is similar to that for individuals requesting a small number of stickers. For larger quantities, applicants must register in the “Business Fleets and Administration” section of the website. The Crit’Air sticker is generally affixed to the inside of the windshield. However, for two- and three-wheeled vehicles, it is attached to the fender or fork. This ensures it remains visible from the outside.
