Le Mans classic day 30th April-1st May 2022 - Crit air cert

[3ftDeep]

Hello.

I'm off to Le Mans at the end of April (just outside, not specifically to the track) and it seems there is a weekend classic car meet - 30th April - 1st May.
So, I will probably go since i'm so close.

However, I'm not taking a classic car but have just seen talk about the Crit air certificate, which I guess is much like the ULEZ stuff over here. Has anyone had any experience of this and do i need one to get to Le Mans? I might stop in Rouen, which I think was mentioned.

Thanks in advance if anyone has any experience of this. I'm just wondering for myself for this trip but also for any future trips to France.

[barryb]

Hi
You don't need one for le Mans but generally they are only needed when the maire determines the air quality necessitates it. Most modern cars are yellow 2 which normally means you are ok. For instance Paris last weekend had restrictions but not for yellow 2. I would apply for one online they are cheap and shows you understand the system for any prying gendarmes eyes.
Barry

[3ftDeep]

Thanks Barry. I did see it's only just over 4 euros for one and might be a good idea but still a bit of a faff to apply if I don't need one.

I'll probably just do it anyway as it's a one off and for the lifetime of the car.

Cheers

[3ftDeep]

Just as an update, I did order one of the Crit Air certificate car stickers, just to be safe wherever I go. It was 4.51 euros which was just under £4 and will be posted to me.

I got it from here:
https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/

Just another quick bit of info I discovered yesterday: you no longer need to have alcohol breath testers in the car when travelling to France. They scrapped this law as they found it made no difference to drink driving, which is appranetly quite a big problem in France.

Cheers

[Hugo 356]

drink driving, which is appranetly quite a big problem in France

just get a voiture sans permis and you can drive home after as much pastis as you want. Pas de problème

[3ftDeep]

Ha ha. No licence, nothing to take away... apart from your dignity, driving a car like that (although secretly I actually quite like it : )

[70sThrowback]

Slightly off topic, but has anyone looked at these for classics? I don't plan on staying in Rouen (or anywhere with a clean air zone) so don't need one. However I did read talk about a classic being exempt, however it appears you can't apply for a sticker online. Some places a lot of us like to visit like Reims, Annency etc do have clean air zones, so depending on the air quality you may need a sticker. Has anyone come across this whilst touring France in their classic?

[barryb]

Hi
If your car registered in France has a "Carte Grise de Collection" then at present there are no restrictions. All other vehicules must comply. I don't know how this would work with non French registered classics but I suspect there might be some leeway with foreign registered cars.
Barry

[PeterK]

As far as I can find out, vehicles over 30 years old are exempt, BUT ... you need a Carte Grise (which is basically a French rego document) that clearly states the vehicle is vintage. Of course, as that would be far too easy, you can't get them online for a foreign vehicle.

I've seen it suggested that you carry your V5 to prove the age of your vehicle (and hope )

[barryb]

Hi
If your insurance policy is a collector car insurance and it states that on the policy document then that might be sufficient, I don't know how the registration documents in the UK are worded these days for collectors cars.
Barry

[PeterK]

Mine states 'Historic Vehicle' in the taxation class

[70sThrowback]

don't you need to carry your v5 and insurance docs with you in France anyway? Well you used to, in which case that might be enough

[barryb]

don't you need to carry your v5 and insurance docs with you in France anyway? Well you used to, in which case that might be enough

Hi
Yes.
Barry

[barryb]

don't you need to carry your v5 and insurance docs with you in France anyway? Well you used to, in which case that might be enough

Hi
Yes.
Barry