Planning a road trip in France? New rules apply for Low emission zones!
Low emission zones are now in force across more parts of France than ever before, and drivers can face fines of up to £154 if they don't plan ahead.
Here's what you need to know if you're planning on driving in France this summer:
- You need to display a windscreen emissions sticker in at least 14 areas across the country. These stickers are color-coded based on your vehicle's emissions, with green "0" stickers being the cleanest and purple "5" stickers being the most polluting. You can order your sticker from the French government website for £4.
- Fines for not displaying a sticker start at £58 and can rise to £154 if not paid within 45 days. From next year, fines will increase to up to £640.
- Some areas of France restrict vehicle movements based on their sticker. For example, in Paris, only cars with "0", "1", or "2" stickers are allowed to drive on certain roads at certain times.
- Other European countries, such as Spain and Switzerland, also have increasingly strict emissions regulations. If you're planning on driving to multiple countries, you may need to purchase multiple emissions stickers.
To avoid fines and hassle, it's important to plan ahead and make sure you have the correct emissions sticker for the areas you'll be driving in. You can find more information on the French government website.
Here are some additional tips for driving in France this summer:
- Make sure your car is in good condition and has a valid MOT certificate.
- Fill up your tank before you cross the border, as fuel prices in France are higher than in the UK.
- Be aware of the speed limits, which are lower in France than in the UK.
- Obey the traffic laws and signs.
- Be prepared for traffic jams, especially in major cities.
- If you're planning on parking in a city, make sure you pay for parking in advance.
- Relax and enjoy your trip!
