Are you planning to go to France for your summer holidays and take the car? Or will you drive through lovely France to reach your holiday destination in Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy or another country? In that case, we inform you that France has implemented an environmental tax disc in several cities. Here is all you need to know about the French tax disc before you hit the road.
The CRIT’Air disc
France implemented an environmental tax disc called CRIT’Air on 1 July 2016. The disc includes 6 different categories and colours according to the year of initial registration of your vehicle, its energy efficiency and emission rate. The objective is threefold:
- reducing emissions and air pollutants in the short and the long term
- promoting recent and energy efficient vehicles
- excluding circulation of old and polluting vehicles
To whom does the disc apply?
All the vehicles on the road are concerned: cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, coaches, utility vehicles etc., both French and foreign.
Which cities are affected?
On 1 July 2017, the disc will be applied in the cities of Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg, Lille and Grenoble, but not everywhere! Two different types of zones must be distinguished:
- Restricted circulation zones (Zones à circulation restreinte - ZCR): mandatory disc according to timetables set by the municipality concerned.
- Air protection zones (Zones de protection de l’air - ZPA): mandatory disc only in case of persisting pollution peaks.
In Paris, the disc is mandatory in the restricted circulation area covering the whole of Paris intramuros, from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 8 pm.
Good to know!
Be aware that the whole Paris area is considered as ZCR, except for the ring road (périphérique), the Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne. You can take the Paris ring road without buying that disc.
As for other cities like Grenoble and Lyon, the ZCR are the historic centres. For Lille and Strasbourg the disc only becomes applicable from September 2017. It is possible that other cities will join the initiative in a near future.
The link below will take you to all the different zones listed by city.
https://www.crit-air.fr/fr/informations-sur-la-vignette-critair/zones-environnmentales-en-france.html
Where can I buy the CRIT’Air disc?
For vehicles registered in Belgium, the disc can only be ordered online, from the following link: https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/en/demande-ext/cgu.
Make sure you do it in advance! The delivery time of the disc is approximately 30 days.
What are the fines in case of absence of the disc?
A fine will be imposed on all the vehicles without CRIT’Air disc. The fine amounts to 68€ for passenger cars and 135€ for trucks and coaches.
Fee
For vehicles registered in Belgium, the price of the disc is 4.80€, including postage.
Good to know!
As the driver of a leasing car you can receive your disc directly at home.
Useful details
- Your disc must be displayed in the bottom right corner of your windscreen.
- The disc must not be renewed every year. If you do not change vehicle, your disc remains valid.