Low emission zones and the Crit'Air vignette were introduced in France on 01.07.2016. The newly introduced Crit'Air vignette is intended to differentiate between old, polluting vehicles and new, environmentally friendly vehicles in 6 categories. The aim is that, in the foreseeable future, the poorer Crit'Air categories will gradually no longer be allowed to enter the environmental zones.
With the introduction of the Crit'Air vignette, so-called environmental zones with restricted traffic "Zones à Circulation Restreinte /ZCR" as well as air protection zones (e.g. in Grenoble) will be set up in France at the same time. Only vehicles equipped with a Crit'Air vignette will be allowed to enter these ZCR zones.
The Crit'Air vignette can be purchased/ordered online on the dedicated website. It also explains who receives which vignette. For example, the green vignette is only available for electric and hydrogen vehicles, the number 1 in purple is for cars in the EURO 5 and 6 emission classes and first registered on or after January 1, 2011, as well as gas-powered vehicles and rechargeable hybrid vehicles. The treatment of gas-powered vehicles is interesting.
Exemptions from the environmental zone regulation in France
Some vehicles are exempt from the obligation to enter the low emission zone only with a Crit'Air vignette. These are mainly public service vehicles (police, fire department, emergency services, etc.) and other vehicles belonging to public companies.
According to the French Décret n°2016-847 of June 28, 2016, vehicles carrying a parking permit for the disabled are not required to have a Crit'Air vignette. Parking cards for disabled people are the same everywhere in Europe, so that disabled people's vehicles are also recognizable abroad.
Other private vehicles can also be exempted from the obligation to display a Crit'Air vignette. However, this is only possible with a special state or municipal permit.
In particular, there are possibilities for vintage cars, old tourist vehicles, breakdown services, etc.
First Paris, now also Grenoble, Lyon and Strasbourg
Paris led the way, but now other cities are following suit, including Strasbourg. It remains to be seen whether exceptions will be made for classic cars here too.
It is not possible to obtain a vignette for old cars; these are intended exclusively for newer vehicles.
More information on the Crit'Air vignette can be found on a dedicated website, which is even available in German.