RAC reminds British drivers they must show clean air sticker in French cities
British motorists who intend to visit certain cities in France this summer with their vehicles have received a reminder that they must affix a clean air label or else risk being penalized with a fine amounting to €180 (£154).
France has adopted a strategy akin to the United Kingdom's implementation of clean air zones and ultra-low emission zones. France currently boasts over 12 zones in various regions, which encompass renowned cities like Paris, as well as other frequently visited destinations among British tourists.
The RAC has issued a cautionary statement that all automobiles and motorcycles entering these areas through the Channel, including those from foreign countries, must exhibit a label known as a Crit'Air sticker, indicating the emissions produced by their vehicles.
Drivers are advised by the motoring group to submit their applications through the official website of the French government before embarking on their journey. It is important to note that these stickers cannot be obtained locally.
The RAC mentioned that travelers should also keep in mind that they might encounter limitations on when they can enter cities while driving, based on their vehicle's emission levels.
The Crit’Air vignette system classifies vehicles into six different groups, ranging from green for the most environmentally friendly vehicles to dark grey for the least clean ones. The certification you obtain corresponds to the Euro emissions standards of your vehicle. Even individuals who own a fully electric car must affix the sticker on their vehicle.
Motorists traveling to Paris, Rouen, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Montpellier, Lyon, Bordeaux, Grenoble, and various other urban centers run the peril of being penalized if they fail to exhibit the required item.
Travelers who are not visiting the impacted cities are not obliged to exhibit one.
The goal is to ultimately implement a low emission zone in all cities with over 150,000 inhabitants. The price for each vehicle, including the cost of postage, amounts to €4.61. However, drivers should anticipate a few days for the delivery process.
According to the representative of RAC Europe, Rod Dennis, it is of utmost importance for individuals planning to travel to Europe to verify whether they require a sticker affixed to their windshield, which is based on emissions.
He stated: "All drivers traveling to a locality that falls under the Crit'Air program must make certain they have purchased the appropriate decal for their automobile prior to departing the United Kingdom. These decals correspond with the Euro emissions classification of the vehicle being operated and remain valid for the entire lifespan of the vehicle.
"Those who do not possess the appropriate decal or drive a vehicle that does not meet the required emissions standards when entering a low-emission zone, face the possibility of being fined immediately."
The fines of €68 are given by the French police officers, but starting next year, the implementation of camera-based enforcement will commence, causing the maximum penalties to skyrocket up to €750, shattering the holiday budget.
Dennis expressed that as time passes, the regulations become more stringent, and in a matter of years, a majority of vehicles that are not zero-emission will no longer be permitted in certain city centers.
There are certain vehicles that do not meet the requirements. Automobiles that were registered prior to January 1997, as well as motorcycles and scooters registered prior to June 2000, are not considered eligible. As a result, these vehicles are prohibited from being driven in areas with imposed restrictions. This poses a predicament for individuals who possess classic cars and motorcycles falling within these categories.
In the meantime, drivers planning to visit cities in various European countries like Spain, Italy, and Switzerland are also recommended to verify if they will be impacted by any restricted areas for low emission vehicles prior to commencing their journeys.
