by Tom Evans
We at CaravanTimes are big believers in getting the most out of our vehicles
Whether you’ve an outfit consisting of a mini-metro with trailer-tent, or the biggest most ostentatious RV money can buy, the real joy is getting out on the road and seeing where it can take you.
For many that will be overseas and being a publication based in good ol’ Blighty most of the time overseas means (or at least means via) France, where a new law has been introduced making ‘Clean Air’ stickers a legal requirement in a number of it’s cities.
So, What are the new French Clean Air (or Crit’Air) Stickers? Why have they been introduced? Where and When do you need one, and how much do they cost?
If you’ve driven in France in the last few years you know they’re not worried about bringing in new rules, it already being a legal requirement to carry High-Vis vests for every passenger, warning triangle, breathalyser test and slap on a GB sticker if you’re driving a car from the U.K not denoted as such. The latest rule is the Crit’Air Vignette.
What are the Stickers?
It’s a sticker system that indicates the pollution levels of the vehicle, according to it’s ‘Euro Emissions Standard’. Starting at green for fully electric/hydrogen powered vehicles and stopping at black for the highest polluting vehicles.
Why have they been introduced?
In short, certain parts of France (cities as you may expect) are heavily polluted and the system has been introduced as a way to cut the emission output with a rota for heavy polluting vehicles, going as far as denying them entry into particular cities on certain days, based on the colour of their sticker.
Where and when do you need one?
The stickers are in use in Paris, Lyon and Grenoble with the law having come into effect on the 1st February, but don’t panic we’re not telling you too late, as all U.K drivers will be given until the 31st March 2017 to comply with the new scheme. You’ll need your sticker regardless of your outfit, as it applies to all road users including motorbikes.
How much do they Cost?
The good news is, you don’t pay more for higher polluting or larger vehicles, there is a flat rate for your sticker, currently set at ?4.80 and you can apply for yours here. Now, you’ll need to know your vehicles emission standard which can normally be found in your handbook or you can search online, the RAC even have a handy table you can use! We’re certainly not looking for extra expenses when we go away however ?4.80 is a much better than a potential fine of ?375.
So are we going to be planning our caravan and motorhome trips around the new scheme? Probably not. At the moment the scheme only bans black stickers, which generally are applied to larger and older commercial vehicles so we can all carry on camping with no worries, just remember to apply for your sticker in good time!
On a further note, the CaravanTimes team have seen a number of websites posing as the official Crit’Air certification service, charging nearly ten times the amount so be sure to register through the proper french government website.
What do you think of the new rules? Do safer, less polluted roads and cities mean we can enjoy a happier holiday or is this just more hassle and red-tape getting in the way of a relaxing trip? Let us know in the comments.
