Although you only need them in low-emission zones (and in other areas during certain pollution spikes), there are currently 25 of these across the country and you may unwittingly enter one if not careful.
You should place the sticker on your windshield upon arrival in France and leave it there as opposed to keep putting it on/removing it each time you pass through a low-emission zone.
France's low-emissions zones (Zones à Faibles Émissions, ZFE) are contentious and a recent amendment to a 'simplification of daily life' bill sought to remove the zones and prevent new ones from being implemented.
However, the nation's Constitutional Council struck the measure out of the wider law, citing it as a legislative rider (cavalier législatif) and too far removed from the bill's original intentions.
MPs opposed to the zones are looking at introducing a separate bill for their removal, but this is yet to be introduced.
As of July 2026, ZFEs remain in place across France, with Crit'Air stickers required for all vehicles passing through them. The map below shows where they are required.
Where can Crit’Air stickers be placed?
Usually, for French and other left-hand drive cars, the stickers are placed on the bottom right of the inside of the windshield to avoid obstructing the driver's view.
The official video below explains how to attach the stickers and shows where best to place it.
Generally, however, official advice just states that it should be positioned in a location where it is clearly visible to officers on patrol to check vehicles are following the rules.
The 2016 decree relating to Crit’Air stickers does not mention any specific rules on where the sticker must be placed on a vehicle.
The Connexion contacted the Crit’Air service and were advised that for right-hand drive cars it is acceptable for stickers to be on the left-hand side of the windscreen (i.e. if placing it on the right may be a distraction to the driver).
For vehicles without a windscreen, such as motorbikes, the sticker can be placed on the mudguard, forks, or right-hand side of the front fairing.
The rules on how to use a Crit’Air sticker on a motorbike can be read in English here on the official website.
