Petrol and diesel owners travelling to Europe this summer could be caught out by a little-known document which may get “lost in the process”, according to experts.
John Woosey, Founder of Ripe Caravan Insurance, award-winning insurance provider for mobile or static holiday homes, highlighted that road users heading to France require a Clean Air Sticker in almost all cities.
These Crit’Air vignettes clearly state a car’s emissions and act as a pass to some of France’s most popular cities.
Paris, Lyon, Aix-Marseille, Toulouse, Nice, Montpellier, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Rouen, Reims, and Saint-Étienne all have Crit’Air rules in place.
Stickers range from the green Crit’Air 0/E badge for zero-emissions vehicles to a dark grey Crit’Air 5 pass for Euro 2 diesel models.
The tokens can be purchased online through the French Government website and cost just €3.72 (£3.20).
However, they can take up to 10 days to arrive meaning holidaymakers just plan ahead to avoid being affected.
John said: “From passports to visas and travel insurance, there’s a myriad of important documentation that must be arranged in the lead-up to a trip abroad.
“Frustratingly, too, rules regularly change – so keeping up to date with the latest regulations can be a headache.
“It’s therefore understandable that applying for your Crit’Air sticker could get lost in the process.
“However, it would be distressing if your long-awaited holiday was tarnished due to such a small admin issue and the resulting fine. So, we’re urging holidaymakers to double-check that they’re organised in plenty of time, to avoid disappointment.”
But, car breakdown and motor insurance specialists at the RAC claims that road users could still be banned from entering certain areas.
Permanent low-emission zones may prevent highly polluting models from entering certain routes.
Meanwhile, certain French towns and cities have emergency schemes that can block certain models in the event of high pollution.
They commented: “The system was introduced by the French Government as a way to reduce harmful vehicle emissions in areas where air quality is poorest, such as larger towns and cities.
“In these areas, certain vehicles can be refused entry based on the Crit’Air sticker displayed on the windscreen – either all the time or on certain days where air pollution levels are dangerously high.”
