Scottish drivers heading over to France for a holiday have been warned they could be at risk of a £114 fine.
In a bid to lower emission levels, the French Government introduced 'clean air stickers' as a legal requirement in major cities.
As the Express reports, the Crit’Air vignette can identify a petrol or diesel vehicle’s emissions levels as well as restrict access to improve quality, in some cases. Without one, drivers could be fined up to €135 (£113.91).
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However, it is also important to note that not all cars are eligible. Cars registered before January 1997 and motorbikes and scooters registered before June 2000 will not qualify and cannot be driven at all where restriction apply. Limits are also in place for trucks and buses registered before 2001.
All cars that do qualify need to display a Crit’Air vignette on the right-hand side of the car’s windscreen to be able to use it in the restricted traffic zones. There are two types of low emission zones in France which require the sticker.
The ZCR zone is the permanent low emission zone and restricts access to certain vehicles based on the sticker, according to the RAC. Cities that require the sticker and have permanent ZCRs are, Paris, Grenoble and Strasbourg.
Paris has the most strictest rules as only Euro five, Euro six and Euro four vehicles can enter between certain times, in addition to zero-emission vehicles.
The second type of zone is known as a ZPA, it's a temporary emergency low emission zone, and they exist around the country and are usually used during certain weather conditions or air pollution peaks. With the major heatwaves France has seen over the last month, tourists should check local rules more frequently.
The RAC reports that 28 areas have a ZPA including Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Rennes and Toulouse.
Chris Black, Commercial Director at LeasePlan UK, warned drivers of the charges they face if they don’t check the rules before they set off.
He said: "Motorists are advised to read up on each country’s individual driving laws to ensure they don’t fall foul of little-known offences. Many European countries have their own version of the UK’s Highway Code, and if drivers don’t adhere to this, they could find themselves being landed with fines of over £1,000.
"In addition to the Crit’ Air Sticker, it’s compulsory for all drivers in France to carry a warning triangle, a high-visibility safety vest and spare light bulbs in their vehicle.
“If your number plate does not include the UK identifier with the Union Flag, you will also need to display a UK sticker.
"Up until 2020, drivers were also required to carry a breathalyser. However this law has now been scrapped. "
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