Where are Crit'Air stickers required?

Are you planning to drive in France and need to understand Crit’Air stickers? Here’s a breakdown of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) rules across 11 French cities.

Understanding Crit’Air Rules in France’s Low Emission Zones

France has implemented Low Emission Zones (LEZs), known as “Zones à Faibles Émissions mobilité” (ZFE-m), in several cities to combat air pollution. If you’re driving in these areas, you’ll need a Crit’Air sticker on your vehicle, which classifies it based on its emissions. Vehicles with higher Crit’Air numbers (4, 5, or unclassified) are generally the first to face restrictions, with some zones gradually restricting Crit’Air 3 vehicles.

Here’s a summary of the current and upcoming regulations in France’s main LEZs, as of January 2025:

Paris & Greater Paris

• Crit’Air 3 vehicles: Expected to be banned from January 1, 2025 (in addition to Crit’Air 4, 5, and unclassified vehicles already restricted).

• Exemptions: Crit’Air 3 vehicles can drive on weekends. Occasional drivers can use a ’24-hour pass’ for up to 24 days a year.

Lyon

• Crit’Air 3 vehicles: Restrictions applied to private vehicles from January 1, 2025.

• Exemptions: Occasional drivers can use a ‘pass petit rouleur’ for up to 52 days a year.

• Important Note: Additional restrictions may apply during pollution peaks, but only in urban areas where pollutant thresholds are exceeded. Some cities (known as “vigilance territories”) are no longer subject to these new Crit’Air 3 restrictions.

Montpellier

• Crit’Air 3 vehicles: Subject to driving restrictions from January 1, 2025.

• Exemptions: A ‘pass’ allows motorists access to communes in the LEZ for 52 days a year. Drivers traveling less than 8,000 km annually also benefit from an exemption.

Grenoble

• Crit’Air 4 vehicles: Banned from January 1, 2024 (Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM).

• Crit’Air 5 vehicles: Banned since July 7, 2023.

• New Restrictions (Crit’Air 3): Apply to petrol vehicles registered before 2006 and diesel vehicles registered before 2011.

Marseille

• Crit’Air 4 vehicles: Banned since January 1, 2024.

• Crit’Air 3 vehicles: Will be restricted from January 1, 2025.

Strasbourg

• Crit’Air 4, 5, and unclassified vehicles: Banned.

• Crit’Air 3 vehicles: Restrictions won’t apply until 2027.

• Exemptions: An ‘ZFE 24h Pass’ allows occasional motorists to drive within the zone 24 times a year.

Rouen

• Crit’Air 4, 5, and unclassified vehicles: Banned since September 1, 2022.

• Exemptions: A ‘ZFE-m 24h pass’ allows driving in the area 24 times a year.

• Suspended Ban: The ban for Crit’Air 3 cars, initially planned for 2025, has been suspended.

Toulouse

• Crit’Air 4, 5, and unclassified vehicles: Restrictions applied since January 1, 2023.

• Exemptions: A ‘Pass ZFE’ allows access to the area 52 days a year.

• Crit’Air 3 vehicles: Can continue to drive.

Reims

• Crit’Air 4 and 5 vehicles: Driving ban applied since January 1, 2023.

• Crit’Air 3 vehicles: Restrictions won’t apply until 2029.

Nice

• Crit’Air 5 and unclassified passenger cars: Restrictions applied since January 1, 2023.

• Crit’Air 4 and 3 vehicles: Can continue to drive.

Saint-Étienne & Clermont-Ferrand

• Light vehicles (Saint-Étienne) and private cars (Clermont-Ferrand): Not currently affected by restrictions.

Important: Regulations can change. For the most up-to-date information on Low Emission Zones and Crit’Air stickers, always consult the official French government website.