Crit’Air

[scanner102]

LawrieC said:

I agree. In the middle of France, about 1 in 10 have the sticker.

I have actually seen the Rouen signs at last. Its just a red circle on a white background with a few coloured blobs at the bottom. It could mean anything.

That's the sign saying which of the categories is allowed in. It's very faded on the sign on the way into Rouen, so hard to see. But basically anything apart from the really high emissions engines are allowed in.

[LawrieC]

scanner102 said:

That's the sign saying which of the categories is allowed in. It's very faded on the sign on the way into Rouen, so hard to see. But basically anything apart from the really high emissions engines are allowed in.

Yes. Its difficult to read if you're not expecting it, and a problem if you're colour-blind (I suppose you count the blobs)

Rouen is Green, 1 Purple, 2 Yellow & 3 Orange. So that's Petrol post 1 January 1997, and Diesel post 1 January 2006, if I've read the RAC website correctly

[Inverness]

I had to rely on this thread on Friday night as I had completly forgoten about this, until I was at my hotel 100 yards outside of Rouen clean air zone, and planning my route for the next day. Google maps warns you that you are entering a clean air zone and you might be effected, and gives you a link to the rubbish Rouen website that really isn't very clear!
So as it takes weeks to get a sticker I either had to figure out a detour or chance it in the morning. Being a good pistonhead type person, I took my chances and went through Rouen. Took the old route through the tunnel, over the bridge, around the slip road and follow the dual carriage way along the railway line to the motorway for Le Mans. No gendarmerie, no camers, no problem! On the way home I bottled it and went via Paris

So what are my takes from this, first was checking the other cars in the Hotel car park before I left, none of the UK cars had a badge/sticker, 80% of the French cars did. Whilst looking at cars at my destination in the south west of France only about 2 in evrey 10 had a badge/sticker.

Would I chance it for the week / weekend of Le Mans, no, I would just get one now. Any other time of year, I might chance it.

[S600BSB]

Inverness said:

I had to rely on this thread on Friday night as I had completly forgoten about this, until I was at my hotel 100 yards outside of Rouen clean air zone, and planning my route for the next day. Google maps warns you that you are entering a clean air zone and you might be effected, and gives you a link to the rubbish Rouen website that really isn't very clear!
So as it takes weeks to get a sticker I either had to figure out a detour or chance it in the morning. Being a good pistonhead type person, I took my chances and went through Rouen. Took the old route through the tunnel, over the bridge, around the slip road and follow the dual carriage way along the railway line to the motorway for Le Mans. No gendarmerie, no camers, no problem! On the way home I bottled it and went via Paris

So what are my takes from this, first was checking the other cars in the Hotel car park before I left, none of the UK cars had a badge/sticker, 80% of the French cars did. Whilst looking at cars at my destination in the south west of France only about 2 in evrey 10 had a badge/sticker.

Would I chance it for the week / weekend of Le Mans, no, I would just get one now. Any other time of year, I might chance it.

Just apply on-line. You get an email back which you can use as confirmation, if needed, while you wait for your sticker to arrive. €4.61. Simple.

[Vsix and Vtec]

I second what S600SBS said, for how cheap it is, why not bother? Just order one early and leave it stuck to the car. I think it may be valid for the lifetime of the sticker too? (By that I mean you have to buy a new one if the previous one gets left on a replaced windscreen)

Edited by Vsix and Vtec on Tuesday 16th April 16:59

[MB140]

Vsix and Vtec said:

I second what S600SBS said, for how cheap it is, why not bother? Just order one early and leave it stuck to the car. I think it may be valid for the lifetime of the sticker too? (By that I mean you have to buy a new one if the previous one gets left on a replaced windscreen)

Edited by Vsix and Vtec on Tuesday 16th April 16:59

It is valid for the life of the vehicle, I emailed them last year about it.

[sahajesh]

And if you get a windscreen replacement?

I’ve ended up buying a new one when this happened?

[Truckosaurus]

I got a sticker back when they first came out and it is totally faded - it was a '2' which was white on yellow so not especially readable even when new.

You'd think they would have a computer to double check your number plate if they did decide to fine you, but perhaps not if they have to use a sticker to show what class you are in.

[Vsix and Vtec]

sahajesh said:

And if you get a windscreen replacement?

I’ve ended up buying a new one when this happened?

It's £5 mate. Not that big of a deal unless you're replacing your windscreen several times a year. It costs me more to drive into London or Birmingham once than it does the whole of France for as many years as that sticker sits on my windscreen. Heck, its the same as a single return trip across the QE2 bridge!

[sahajesh]

Vsix and Vtec said:

sahajesh said:

And if you get a windscreen replacement?

I’ve ended up buying a new one when this happened?

It's £5 mate. Not that big of a deal unless you're replacing your windscreen several times a year. It costs me more to drive into London or Birmingham once than it does the whole of France for as many years as that sticker sits on my windscreen. Heck, its the same as a single return trip across the QE2 bridge!

Cheers.

I wasn’t complaining about the cost, as you say it’s trivial, more the fact that you have registered your car and need to do it again.

I’ve always just paid up again but you’d expect it’d be a case of send me a new one please and not follow the same process.

Guess it’s a) they are French and b) it’s easier and cheaper to have a consistent process and c) again, they are French.

[gazza5]

As others have said, for the price of it, just get it.

I got one, don't even go near paris, but yes I did get a new one when my windscreen got replaced - I tried to save the other one, but as I peeled it off, it had void written all over it and then it wouldn't stick anyway.

[Davwlk]

I bought one in the off-chance it may be needed in the future. £5 not worth bothering about in my opinion. Did the same for Spain which is gradually bringing them in around where I live as you now need one to go into Alicante

[Truckosaurus]

I wonder if anyone (non-French) has actually been fined for not having a sticker?

Are there any zones with any sort of automatic tracking?

[Aysedasi2]

I just ordered one. For the sake of less than a fiver (€4.76 including postage), even though I may never actually need it. Took me about 15 minutes. 2-3 minutes to check the info on my V5C and then 10 minutes to scan the document (5 of which were reducing it to less than 2Mb!), and then 5 minutes to fill out the form. Simples....

[Printertosh]

I've just applied for a sticker for my car and motorhome and after going through the process, the details they ask from you is enough to send you a speeding fine (for example) direct to your registered address without having to pay DVLA for your details Or am I being paranoid?

Edited by Printertosh on Wednesday 24th April 19:51

[LawrieC]

I could mention the London LEZ, but most councils are short of money, so are raising carpark charges etc. I'm sure the French are much the same, so Critair enforcement will increase, and tourists will be easy targets.

[Aysedasi2]

Printertosh said:

I've just applied for a sticker for my car and motorhome and after going through the process, the details they ask from you is enough to send you a speeding fine (for example) direct to your registered address without having to pay DVLA for your details Or am I being paranoid?

Possibly. Just don't speed over there.

[prand]

sahajesh said:

And if you get a windscreen replacement?

I’ve ended up buying a new one when this happened?

I had to replace my windscreen earlier in the year, guess I will need to order a new sticker before heading to France this summer, not sure exactly where we're going but Mrs P wants to visit Aix-en-Provence, Lyon, Beaune & Dijon which i believe at least a couple of those cities needs Crit'air cover.

I have already ordered and received new mounting clip for the emovis (péage) tag as that went with the old windscreen too. Amazing next day service for that, received 2 clips and a UK car sticker next day post for about £2.50.

[LawrieC]

sahajesh said:

And if you get a windscreen replacement?

I’ve ended up buying a new one when this happened?

Cheap at the price. A replacement Bus Pass is £15

[Aysedasi2]

Aysedasi2 said:

I just ordered one. For the sake of less than a fiver (€4.76 including postage), even though I may never actually need it. Took me about 15 minutes. 2-3 minutes to check the info on my V5C and then 10 minutes to scan the document (5 of which were reducing it to less than 2Mb!), and then 5 minutes to fill out the form. Simples....

So, ordered on 18th April, received on 29th April. (For anyone wondering how long these things take).