Law change for UK drivers in France

[Firkle]

I've just discovered this information relating to new clean air requirements in French cities, which are similar to rules surrounding the Umwelt Plakette in Germany.

http://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/law-change-for-uk-drivers-in-french-cities/
Has anybody any info where you can buy the required sticker without going through the "rip off " sites?

 

[Hutch]

www.certificat-air.gouv.fr

Hi Firkle the French website states that , Foreign registered cars will be able to apply from the 1st of Feburary 2017. You can still drive into the congestion zone until 31st March, apparently. Had to do it once with the van on the back last year.
Hutch.

 

[Thingy]

Just rying to read up on this as we are off down to bergerac in May. Currently, the only info I can glean from the website is relating to the Carte Grise, which they state has a mine of info on it, both useless and technical, which sounds an awful lot more than the V5.

Anyone got a real heads up on this.

 

[Thingy]

OK so far, its vague.

What areas and vehicles do they affect?

The stickers are currently in use in Paris, Lyon and Grenoble.

They apply to all road vehicles including motorbikes and affect both French residents and foreign drivers.
How much will it cost me and where do I buy them?

Prices for foreign-registered vehicles have not been set, however, to give you an idea they currently cost French residents 4 Euros (around £3.50).

UK motorists will be able to apply online for a sticker via the official Crit’Air website from 1 February 2017.

From 31 March 2017, all foreign registered vehicles must display an appropriate sticker or face a fine.

The RAC is aware of non-official, third party websites selling Crit’Air vignettes for substantially more than the rate set by the French government – motorists should ensure they only buy a sticker through the official Crit’Air website.

The two segments I underlined refer firstly to the cities currently enforcing this, the second refers to ALL foreign vehicles, but does this mean for the quoted cities, or all foreign vehicle period?

 

[Woodentop]

From Wednesday you can order the vignette on line from
https://certificat-air.gouv.fr
The current cost is (I think) €4.18 probably plus handling and/or postage.

I have seen comments that you need to send a scan of your V5C, your passport, and your driving licence but how true the latter two is I am unsure.

BUT you only need the vignette if you are going to enter one of the specified places between 8h and 20h on weekdays. If you are not going near Paris, Lyon, or Grenoble (at the moment) then you don't need one. If you go into one of the restricted areas without a vignette and get caught the fine is €68 plus handling charges, probably €70 overall.

 

[Thingy]

Thanks, just been to see the page, looks as if I will be Vignette 2, hope to gawd they put an English translation up there in time, Google is making a right mess of it

 

[Woodentop]

Thanks, just been to see the page, looks as if I will be Vignette 2, hope to gawd they put an English translation up there in time, Google is making a right mess of it

There is already an English version of the French application form, but to be honest Google makes a better job of translating the French version than the French have themselves - or they have just 'adjusted' the Google translation here and there.

 

[otherclive]

We traveled to Poland in 2103 and for our visits to German cities I bought the "Green Sticker" from TUV. Germans don't use cards and online shopping to the extent that we do in UK. So I had to scan the V5 and apply by post with the Euros in cash within the envelope. But less than 2 weeks afterwards the sticker duly arrived. We were going to use it in Dresden but the buses were so good that we left the car and sued public transport.

 

[Firkle]

I had already tried to use the French government web site but it would not accept a UK registration number. I'll see what happens after Wednesday

 

[Woodentop]

We traveled to Poland in 2103 and for our visits to German cities I bought the "Green Sticker" from TUV. Germans don't use cards and online shopping to the extent that we do in UK. So I had to scan the V5 and apply by post with the Euros in cash within the envelope. But less than 2 weeks afterwards the sticker duly arrived. We were going to use it in Dresden but the buses were so good that we left the car and sued public transport.

You sued public transport? What did they do wrong?

For the record if you want a German sticker apply through the Berlin local authorities. Not only do they charge less than many other places (6€ for sticker, 6€ for P&P) but you can apply on line, attach a scan of your V5C, and pay by credit card. Mine arrived in three days but although the web site is (mainly) in English the accompanying letter/receipt was in German.

 

[Trevor_374569540]

If you go to any DEKRA Station in Germany on production of your VQ5 you will be given the umwelt for FREE. If you are stopped on route to the station (and they are all over Germany) just explain that you are on route to obtain the umwelt and all will be ok. I have never had any problems when changing vehicles.

 

[Thingy]

Interestingly, and this may be applicable for some of the drivers on the forum, vegicles carrying disabled drivers with a disabled card, I presume this means the blue badge

Will disabled drivers need a sticker: No. The Crit’Air exemptions page on the official website says:
‘As per French decree Décret n°2016-847 from 28th June 2016 vehicles bearing a parking card for disabled persons need no Crit’Air Vignette. Parking cards for disabled persons are the same all over Europe so that vehicles of handicapped persons are recognisable abroad, too.’

I noticed this whilst reading the APH website on
http://www.aph.com/community/holidays/paris-anti-pollution-sticker-crit-air/

Hope its of help to some of you. There is some information of interest regarding older vehicles and diesels.

 

[LizziePope]

This is actually the topic of Motty's blog this week! Please click here.

 

[otherclive]

If you go to any DEKRA Station in Germany on production of your VQ5 you will be given the umwelt for FREE. If you are stopped on route to the station (and they are all over Germany) just explain that you are on route to obtain the umwelt and all will be ok. I have never had any problems when changing vehicles.

You will not be stopped unless you enter an LEZ which are very clearly signed , although I guess the DEKRA station could be within the LEZ. Given that holidays are for pleasure trawling around to save less than a few euros seems a bit counter productive.

 

[otherclive]

When travelling to Dordogne and Aveyron (with mutts) we normally take the Dunkirk route and then drive towards Paris CDG via the A3 and take an eastern loop (A104/N104) around Paris towards Dourdan. Must check how far the Paris LEZ come out.

 

[Thingy]

Our Dordogne route is somewhat different, we head for Pompey and take the overnight to St Malo. Then head straight down and treat ourselves to a wonderful overnight in a Chateau at Moutiers-sur-la-Ley.

Onto the form itself, another wonderful job done by our beloved French friends. They have given no expanation of the information required, eg. "Serial Number". Is this then the document reference number on the front of the V5, or the Vin no?

And
The contact form FAQ has questions in English, answers in French. Just gotta love em.

 

[Buffers]

I have been onto the website using the above link. Everything works fine until I try to upload a photo of the reg doc. The site will only accept 200 JPG max. So stuck at the moment. I have managed to get it sorted Thanks. now have one on order

 

[otherclive]

There are lots of freeware photo resizers, although on MAC or Windows there should be an application that allows you to do it. Alternatively scan using a lower resolution, save on Desktop, email to yourself/wife (if you have another email account) and attach the picture. The email client will then ask if you want it small, medium, large or original. Then when you receive the email open and save the attachment, which can then be used for your application. It does get a bit more difficult if the French want exact measurement and file size. They are a bit behind the times as a lot of websites now can accept a range of file sizes and then have their own software to resize it to their precise requirements. I have just had to apply for a visa for India, which for my last three trips was a real pain to achieve the exact size and file size, but is now very much easier. Good Luck

 

[Buffers]

all sorted thanks

 

[Thingy]

Buffers,

what was the reference number referring to which they ask for? Thats the one Im stuck on.

 

[Buffers]

its the document Number on the V5 front cover 2/3 on right repeated on page 2 bottom left 4 numbers a space 3 numbers space and then 4 numbers

 

[Woodentop]

its the document Number on the V5 front cover 2/3 on right repeated on page 2 bottom left 4 numbers a space 3 numbers space and then 4 numbers

Erm, no it isn't. Its the VIN.

 

[Thingy]

This is where the confusion is. There is a reference number on a carte grise which doesnt look like any vin number I have seen, and appears to be a document reference number. I have a mate that lives near Lyon and Im getting him to check with the French directly for me.

 

[Thingy]

Confirmed, its the VIN number, not the document number on the V5 front page.

Cost inc postage Euros 4.80. Shogun is yellow disc 2

 

[otherclive]

Confirmed, its the VIN number, not the document number on the V5 front page.

Cost inc postage Euros 4.80. Shogun is yellow disc 2

What does that allow you to do? Approach the French border but not enter