If you need a crit air sticker, UK drivers often get stuck on one question before ordering: which category does my car fall into? Get it wrong and your sticker won't be valid for the zone you're entering.
This guide explains exactly how the category system works and how to find yours in under two minutes.
How the Crit'Air Category System Works
The Crit'Air system assigns every vehicle one of six colour-coded categories based on its Euro emissions standard — the European rating that measures how much pollution your engine produces. The cleaner your engine, the lower your category number, and the more zones you can enter freely.
The Six Categories
Crit'Air 0 — Green
Zero-emission electric and hydrogen vehicles.
Unrestricted access to all zones, including during high-pollution episodes.
Crit'Air 1 — Purple
Plug-in hybrid vehicles, LPG/NGV gas vehicles, and petrol vehicles meeting Euro 5 or 6 standards (generally registered after 1 January 2011).
Permitted in most zones.
Crit'Air 2 — Yellow
Euro 4 petrol vehicles (generally registered between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2010) and Euro 5 or 6 diesel vehicles (generally registered after 1 January 2011).
Permitted in most permanent ZFEs but may face restrictions during high-pollution episodes.
Crit'Air 3 — Orange
Euro 2 or 3 petrol vehicles (generally registered between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2005) and Euro 4 diesel vehicles (generally registered between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2010).
Faces restrictions in several major ZFEs.
Crit'Air 4 — Burgundy
Euro 3 diesel vehicles (generally registered between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2005).
Restricted or banned in most major ZFEs.
Crit'Air 5 — Dark Grey
Euro 2 diesel vehicles (generally registered between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2000).
Banned from most ZFEs.
No Sticker Issued
Vehicles registered before January 1997 (petrol or diesel) cannot be issued a Crit'Air sticker and are banned from all ZFEs.
Do not attempt to enter any French low-emission zone in a vehicle of this age.
The Quickest Way to Find Your Category
You do not need to know your Euro standard in advance. When you order your Crit'Air sticker — either via the official French government site or a UK facilitation service like Europermits — you simply upload a photo of your V5C registration document. The category is assigned automatically from your vehicle's details. That's it.
Want to check in advance?
Look at your V5C for the "Euro Status" field, or use the free DVLA vehicle enquiry tool at gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla.
Enter your registration plate and it will show your fuel type, Euro status, and first registration date — everything needed to identify your category from the table above.
What Category Do Most UK Cars Fall Into?
The majority of UK vehicles registered after 2006 will fall into Crit'Air 1 or Crit'Air 2, which are accepted in all current permanent ZFEs.
Modern petrol or hybrid (post-2011)
You will almost certainly be Crit'Air 1. Full access to all permanent ZFEs.
Diesel registered after 2011
Typically Crit'Air 2. Accepted in most permanent ZFEs but may face restrictions during pollution episodes.
The problem area: older diesels
- Diesel 2006–2010 = Crit'Air 3. Now banned or restricted in Paris and faces tightening rules in Lyon from July 2026.
- Diesel before 2006 = Crit'Air 4 or 5. Effectively banned from all major French cities.
Paris: The Strictest Zone in France
Paris has the tightest restrictions of any French city. As of January 2025, only Crit'Air 0, 1, and 2 vehicles are permitted within the Greater Paris ZFE on weekdays between 8am and 8pm. Crit'Air 3, 4, and 5 vehicles are banned.
Note on Crit'Air 3 grace period
A grace period for Crit'Air 3 vehicles in Greater Paris has been extended until the end of 2026, but enforcement could tighten at any point — do not rely on this.
FAQ: Can I Just Display the Wrong Category Sticker?
Can I just display the wrong category sticker?
No.
The ANPR camera system cross-references your number plate against the Crit'Air database. The sticker category on your windscreen must match your vehicle's registered category, or you will be fined regardless of what you display.
Order Your Crit'Air Sticker — £19.95
Not sure of your category? Just upload your V5C and we handle the rest.
- ✓ Physical sticker posted to your UK address
- ✓ Digital certificate by email
- ✓ Lifetime validity
- ✓ We determine your correct category from your V5C
Last Updated: May 2026