Ever heard of the Crit’Air Sticker (Vignette)?
I hadn’t—till a reader emailed me in a panic some time in the past. Diane wrote:
“We’re flying from Canada and staying in Paris for seven days earlier than selecting up our leased automobile. However it doesn’t appear attainable to get the Crit’Air sticker in time….. Any recommendation?”
Her electronic mail got here at an opportune time as a result of I spotted I’d be in the identical place as her. I used to be going to be leasing a automobile and had no concept concerning the Crit’Air sticker. That received me digging and like Diane, I realized that understanding France’s Crit’Air guidelines early may save complications later.
Up to date October 2025 to mirror present Crit’Air sticker guidelines.
Right here’s what you’ll want to know—organized as a Q&A so you may scan shortly.
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1. What Is A Crit’Air Sticker?
Launched in 2016 to scale back air air pollution from autos, the Crit’Air (Air High quality Certificates or “Certificat qualité de l’air”) is a colour-coded sticker (“vignette”) positioned in your windshield that charges your car from 0 to five primarily based on its emissions and age.
It restricts site visitors in high-density areas—primarily massive city centres—generally known as Low Emission Zones (Zones à Faibles Émissions, or ZFE).
You’ll be able to test your automobile’s classification utilizing the official web site: https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr.
The vignette is cheap, legitimate for the car’s lifetime, and should be displayed on the decrease right-hand nook of your windshield. (Don’t take away it—you may rip it and gained’t be capable to reapply it!)
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2. The place And When Do You Want It?
All French cities with greater than 150,000 inhabitants at the moment are required to implement ZFE guidelines (Supply: https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/actualites/A17999?lang=en)
Paris and Lyon already implement weekday Crit’Air 3 bans, and even smaller cities might apply short-term restrictions throughout smog alerts.
Tip: Use the official ZFE map to test in case your route enters a restricted zone
3. What Are The Penalties?
4. How Do You Get a Crit’Air Sticker?
Order solely by the official web site: https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr (you may change to English within the high proper nook).
You’ll want:
- Your car registration quantity
- A fee card
Value: €3.70 inside France or €4.91 for worldwide delivery.
You’ll obtain a PDF affirmation instantly—this serves as momentary proof till your sticker arrives.
5. Do You Want a Crit’Air Sticker if Driving Into France From One other Nation?
Sure. Overseas-registered vehicles should show a sticker to enter any ZFE.
Order through the official web site and hold the affirmation useful till the sticker arrives.Reply: That you must order your Crit’Air sticker on-line. Remember to use the gover
6. Do You Want a Crit’Air Sticker if You’re Renting a Automobile?
Most rental vehicles in France ought to have one but it surely’s price checking the windshield earlier than driving off. Once I rented a automobile in Clermont-Ferrand in 2024, I requested the Europcar agent if the automobile had a Crit’Air sticker. The reply was no, and he stated that if I used to be stopped, I’d doubtless simply get a warning, not a nice.
I used to be by no means stopped, so I nonetheless don’t know if that was true!
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7. Do You Want a Crit’Air Sticker if Leasing a Automobile?
H2-7. Do You Want a Crit’Air Sticker if Leasing a Automobile?
With a buy-back lease, you’re briefly the proprietor till the corporate (e.g., Renault) “buys it again,” so that you’re liable for getting the sticker. This was precisely my scenario—and Diane’s! Right here’s how I did it:
Get the registration quantity:
About 15 days earlier than pickup, I referred to as Renault and obtained the registration quantity and date inside an hour. That’s all I wanted—no images, no gas particulars.
Billing title and deal with:
On the net type, I added my title however didn’t want to incorporate the supply deal with (à l’adresse de livraison). For the billing deal with (“deal with de facturation”-which should be in France), I used my first lodge. The system gained’t settle for non-EU addresses. A small typo triggered my first utility to be rejected—ask me how I do know! As soon as corrected, it went by easily.
Cost:
I paid €3.11 plus €0.59 postage and instantly received a affirmation electronic mail displaying my Crit’Air serial quantity.
Non permanent proof:
I printed the bill, which displayed a picture of my Air High quality Certificates with the Crit’air serial quantity and taped it to my windshield. I by no means obtained the precise sticker—however the printed model labored nice.
Some leasing firms now embrace the sticker robotically, so it’s price confirming this earlier than your journey.
8. Late Registration Quantity
In case your registration arrives late, apply on-line instantly and hold the PDF affirmation—it’s accepted as momentary proof.
9. How I’m Going To Deal With My Lease And The Crit’Air Sticker (2022)
Right here’s my plan:
- Order the sticker as quickly as I obtain the registration
- Print and save the PDF (each paper and digital)
- Test my route on the official ZFE map and use the Michelin Route Planner
- Modify timing or routes if wanted
- Affix the sticker—or tape the printed picture if it hasn’t arrived
This strategy has labored for me in previous years, even when the sticker arrived after I’d left.
10. Closing ideas
From an environmental perspective, limiting high-polluting autos in busy areas is smart. Whether or not drivers are literally being fined, nonetheless, stays unclear.
Getting correct details about the Crit’Air sticker will be complicated, however the Ministère de la Transition Écologique web site has been useful. There’s even a simulator to test your Crit’Air classification.
Have you ever needed to take care of the Crit’Air sticker throughout your travels? Have you ever been warned or fined for not having one? I’d love to listen to your story.
Wish to lease a automobile in France? Try this put up: Advantages Of Leasing A Automobile In France. I nonetheless firmly consider leasing is the perfect deal if you want a automobile for greater than 21 days.
In the event you’re curious about studying extra about driving in France, take a look at these posts:
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