Is the Crit'Air Digital Certificate Valid in France? - UK Guide 2026

The Crit’Air digital certificate (PDF facsimile) is legally valid at French roadside checks. You can show it on your phone or as a printout while waiting for your physical sticker to arrive. You are covered from the moment your application is submitted.

This is one of the most common questions we get — and the answer is good news. You do not need to wait for the post before driving in France.

What the digital certificate looks like

When your application is submitted, you receive an email containing a PDF document. This is your certificat provisoire — your temporary certificate. It includes:

• Your vehicle registration number
• Your Crit’Air category and colour
• A QR code that links to the French government’s vehicle database
• The date of application

This is not a receipt or a confirmation — it is an official interim document that serves the same purpose as the physical sticker until it arrives.

How to use it at a police checkpoint

If you are stopped by French police and asked for your Crit’Air vignette:

1. Tell the officer you have the digital certificate — say “J’ai le certificat provisoire” if you want to try in French, or simply show your phone
2. Open the PDF on your phone — the QR code is the key element. Officers can scan it to verify your vehicle
3. Stay calm — French police are familiar with the digital certificate. This is a routine situation, not a confrontation

The officer will either accept the certificate at face value or scan the QR code to confirm your vehicle’s registration in the system. Either way, you will not be fined.

How to save it to your phone

iPhone

1. Open the email and tap the PDF attachment
2. Tap the share icon (square with arrow)
3. Select “Save to Files” or “Add to Books”
4. For quick access, save it to your home screen via Files app

Android

1. Open the email and tap the PDF attachment
2. Tap the download icon
3. The PDF saves to your Downloads folder
4. Consider adding a shortcut to your home screen

Printed copy

Open the PDF on any computer and print it. Keep the printout in your glovebox alongside your V5C, insurance, and other documents.

Do ANPR cameras require the physical sticker?

No. ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras do not read the sticker on your windscreen — they read your number plate and check it against the French government’s vehicle database.

Once your application has been submitted and your vehicle is registered in the Crit’Air system, cameras will recognise your vehicle as compliant. The physical sticker is primarily for police spot checks, not cameras.

This means you are protected from camera-issued fines from the moment your application is processed — typically within 2 hours of payment when you apply through our service.

When does the physical sticker replace the digital one?

The physical sticker arrives by post from France, typically within 10–14 working days. Once it arrives:

1. Clean the inside of your windscreen where you will place it
2. Peel off the backing and apply it to the bottom-right corner (passenger side on UK right-hand drive cars)
3. The physical sticker is then your permanent proof — no need for the digital certificate any more

However, we recommend keeping the digital certificate saved on your phone as a backup, even after the physical sticker is displayed. If your windscreen is replaced or the sticker is damaged, the digital certificate can serve as interim proof while you order a replacement.