Driving in France - you may need a sticker

[Paul]

France has introduced some restrictions on vehicles in some cities and areas. Travel in these areas is controlled by vehicles having the correct sticker which costs 3.70 euros plus postage on the official government website. However, it seems that, just like in the UK when applying for passports, driving licences etc scumbags have set up official looking sites to grab your money. Use the site at the bottom of this posting and you will pay 29.65 euros for the sticker. Presumably, all they do is take you details and money and input it to the government website and pay the 3.70 euros…a nice little markup.

Use an area on a day when you have the wrong sticker or not have one and look forward to a fine.

The French government website (and the one to use) is:

https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/en/

Here is a map showing where the restrictions can be applied and will no doubt increase in number – do not buy a certificate via the site below but if you need one use the link above

https://www.crit-air.fr/en/information-about-the-critair-vignette/french-environmental-zones-zcr/french-environmental-zones.html

[Plym Ian]

Another reason not to go to frogland

[bransoj]

As it stands the only bit that would effect our journey is about 3 miles skirting past Lyon going through the tunnel then along the side of the river and that’s only on the way down, we’ll probably go the other side of Lyon on the way back. Other than that despite going 2/3rds of the way down France we’re not within miles of any other zone...not even sure it’s worth bothering for us.

[Paul]

As it stands the only bit that would effect our journey is about 3 miles skirting past Lyon going through the tunnel then along the side of the river and that’s only on the way down, we’ll probably go the other side of Lyon on the way back. Other than that despite going 2/3rds of the way down France we’re not within miles of any other zone...not even sure it’s worth bothering for us.

When this first started it covered Paris, Lyon and Grenoble and from there it has grown. So somewhere it is not in force today could be tomorrow. With a sticker only costing 3.70 euros today is it wise to get it now rather than wait when the price could go up so as to be covered in a new area.

[bransoj]

We aren’t really near any of the big cities to be honest unless we pass them but as you say for that money it’s probably worth it. That said can’t do anything yet as we’ll be going in the new GS Tourer and we’ve not got it yet.