Do British drivers still need Crit'Air stickers in France?

France may be scrapping low-emission zones — but British motorists still need a Crit’Air sticker for now.

A vote by French MPs to end the country’s low-emission zone scheme has raised hopes that Crit’Air stickers could soon be a thing of the past.

But for now, UK drivers heading to France by car still need to comply with the current rules — or risk a hefty fine. Find out more here as part of your driving in France checklist.

Do you need a crit'air sticker for your car in France - find out the latest here  (Credit: Jean-Michel du 01)

What has changed in France over Crit'Air stickers?

On May 28, French MPs voted in favour of abolishing the country’s ZFE (low-emission zone) system. These zones currently limit access to certain vehicles based on emissions, using the Crit’Air sticker system to identify which ones are allowed in.

The vote was part of a broader economic reform bill and marks a political U-turn on one of the headline policies in France’s 2021 Climat et résilience law.

Which French political parties backed the change?

Support came from across the political spectrum, including:

• Rassemblement National (far-right)

• Les Républicains (conservative)

• La France Insoumise (far-left)

They rejected a government compromise to scale back ZFEs to just Paris and Lyon — instead calling for a complete repeal of the system.

Can UK drivers forget about getting a Crit’Air sticker now?

Not yet. The vote is only the first stage. The proposal still needs to be debated in the French Senate, where over 600 amendments have been tabled. The bill could still be watered down or blocked altogether.

Until the full process is complete and the bill becomes law, the current system stays in place. That means the Crit’Air rules still apply — and will be enforced as usual.

Where do UK drivers still need a Crit’Air sticker?

If you’re planning to drive into or near major French cities, you’ll still need a valid Crit’Air vignette to avoid fines. Key areas where ZFEs are active include:

• Paris

• Lyon

• Marseille

• Strasbourg

Driving into a ZFE without the correct sticker can result in an on-the-spot fine of up to €135.

What should UK drivers do now?

If you’re travelling to France:

• Apply for a Crit’Air sticker in advance from the official French government website.

• Make sure the sticker is correctly displayed on your windscreen before entering any city with a low-emission zone.

• Keep an eye on updates — but assume the rules are still in force unless you hear otherwise.

When could this change?

There’s no set timeline yet. The bill’s path through the Senate could take several months. Even then, the government may revise or delay the rollout of any changes. For now, the safest approach is to continue following the current rules.

The bottom line

The recent vote could eventually spell the end of Crit’Air zones in France — but UK motorists still need to comply with the current regulations when driving abroad. Don’t ditch the sticker just yet — and don’t risk a fine by turning up without one.

Driving in France checklist for UK drivers

Here's a quick checklist for UK drivers planning to drive in France 

Item	Required?	Notes
Full UK Driving Licence	✅ Yes	Both paper and photocard if applicable
Vehicle V5C logbook or VE103	✅ Yes	Proof of ownership – more on VE103
Valid Insurance (with EU cover)	✅ Yes	Check with your provider for confirmation
Passport	✅ Yes	Must be valid for at least 3 months after return
Travel Insurance	🔲 Advised	Helps cover unexpected medical or trip issues
MOT certificate	✅ Yes	For vehicles over 3 years old – check your renewal date
Reflective jackets (one per occupant)	✅ Yes	Must be within reach (not in the boot)
Warning triangle	✅ Yes	Legally required
Headlight beam deflectors	✅ Yes	Required even for LED lights
UK sticker/identifier	✅ Yes	Needed unless UK plates have Union Jack
Spare bulb kit	🔲 Advised	Not a legal requirement but useful
Breathalyser kit	🔲 Advised	Not enforced, but still recommended
Sat nav without speed camera alerts	✅ Yes	Disable alerts for camera locations
Credit/debit card or cash for tolls	✅ Yes	Many motorways are tolled
Emission sticker (Crit’Air)	🔲 Sometimes	See above
Drive on the right-hand side	✅ Yes	Pay extra attention at roundabouts
Speed limits adjust in wet weather	✅ Yes	Limits drop – always check signs
Drink and drug driving rules	✅ Yes	Strict rules apply
No use of hands-free earpieces/headphones	✅ Yes	Illegal to use in France
European Breakdown Cover	🔲 Advised	Very useful if you break down abroad
Paper map or offline GPS	🔲 Advised	Helpful in rural areas with poor signal
EHIC/GHIC card	🔲 Advised	Free or reduced-cost state medical care in EU

 

 

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