Although France’s low emission zones were only introduced in 2016, France started this environmental protection policy earlier than most other European countries. The French low emission zones also have different features that we are not familiar with in other countries such as Germany or Austria.
Environmental zone marking in France
Environmental zones in France are called “Zones à Circulation Restreinte” or ZCR for short. The environmental sticker is called “Crit’Air” – you will find this inscription at the top of each environmental sticker.
The environmental zones came into force in June 2016 by law. As in other countries, environmental zones in France are entirely the responsibility of the city concerned, which decides whether to introduce the environmental zones. Each city decides whether drivers must have an environmental badge to travel in and around the city, and which version of the badge is considered the minimum requirement. It is expected that after Paris introduced low-emission zones in July 2016, the number of cities that will no longer be able to visit without a sticker on the windscreen of the car will increase.
The environmental zones in France are marked with road signs. So you shouldn’t accidentally enter a zone and get a big fine. This is in contrast to Austria, where the beginning of the environmental zone is not marked.
The extent of ecological zones in France
The environmental zones in France have different characteristics that you are probably not familiar with from neighboring countries such as Germany or Austria, even if you visit them often. The first characteristic concerns the period of validity of the French low emission zones. Shortly after their introduction, the low emission zones only applied to French drivers (i.e. all cars with French license plates). The low emission zones for foreign cars will come into force from February 1, 2017 , which means that from that date you will need a fine particle sticker if you drive to Paris or other French cities.
Fine dust sticker is only needed at certain times
Another feature of the low emission zones in France is the time restrictions. A road sign may not only indicate the start of the low emission zone, but also contain information about the time of its operation, for example “from 08:00 to 20:00”. This means that in order to enter the relevant zone, a car must have a fine dust sticker at the specified time. Outside these times, you can drive through the zone without a sticker!
Time restrictions are very common in France. A similar situation has existed in Paris since 2015: buses and trucks weighing more than 3.5 tons and manufactured before 01.10.2001 are not allowed to enter the city from 08:00 to 20:00. Thus, the “Fine Dust” sticker helps to reduce congestion in cities.
Just as the introduction of low-emission zones is entirely up to each city, French cities also decide on the timeframe for low-emission zones.
Fines
If you enter an environmental zone without a fine, you could face a hefty fine. Whether you are travelling to France for the first time or a regular visitor, we advise you to purchase the correct environmental badge. As the sticker is permanent, it will last you forever.
There was a transition period after the introduction of the low-emission zones in Paris. At first, the police only reminded drivers of the obligation to have a fine sticker. However, now entering an environmental zone without an emissions sticker can be very expensive. Since October 2016, fines of 35 euros have been levied, but since January 2017, fines have been increased to 68 euros . Thus, the penalties for drivers who ignore these laws are gradually increasing.
There are currently 25 Ecological Zones in France:
- Angers,
- Annecy,
- Annemasse,
- Bordeaux,
- Caen,
- Clermont-Ferrand,
- Dijon,
- Grenoble,
- Le Havre,
- Lille,
- Lyon,
- Marseille,
- Montpellier,
- Nancy,
- Nantes,
- Nice,
- Nimes,
- Paris,
- Pau,
- Reims,
- Rennes,
- Rouen,
- Saint-Etienne,
- Strasbourg,
- Toulouse.