Lost or Damaged Your Crit'Air Sticker? How to Get a Replacement

If your Crit’Air sticker is lost, damaged, or unreadable, you need to apply for a new one. There is no separate “replacement” process — you simply apply again. Your vehicle’s category stays the same and you get a new digital certificate immediately.

Can a damaged sticker still be used?

It depends on the extent of the damage:

• Minor scratches or scuffs — still valid if the category number and QR code are clearly readable
• Faded colours — the sticker may fade over time from UV exposure. If the text and QR code are still legible, it is technically valid, but officers may question it
• Torn or peeling — if the sticker is partially torn or peeling away from the windscreen, apply for a replacement. A sticker that looks tampered with may raise suspicion
• Completely unreadable — treat this as no sticker. Apply for a replacement before driving in a ZFE zone

When in doubt, apply for a new one. The cost is small compared to a €68 fine.

Common causes of damage

• Car washes — high-pressure jets and brushes can damage the sticker over time, particularly at the edges
• Sun exposure — prolonged UV exposure fades the colours. If your car sits in direct sunlight regularly, check the sticker before each trip to France
• Ice scraping — scraping ice off the windscreen near the sticker can catch the edges. Scrape carefully around it during winter
• Cleaning products — some glass cleaners with ammonia or alcohol can degrade the adhesive. Use a gentle glass cleaner and avoid scrubbing directly on the sticker
• Bird strikes and tree sap — can stain or damage the sticker surface if left on for extended periods

How to apply for a replacement

The process is identical to your first application:

1. Enter your vehicle registration number
2. Upload your V5C (or the relevant page)
3. Pay the fee
4. Receive your digital certificate by email — valid immediately
5. Physical sticker arrives in 10–14 working days

Your Crit’Air category is determined by your vehicle’s fuel type and registration year. Neither changes, so your replacement sticker will show the same category as the original.

Using the digital certificate while you wait

If your sticker is damaged and you have a trip coming up:

1. Apply for the replacement now — you will get the digital certificate within hours
2. Save the PDF to your phone and print a copy for the glovebox
3. Drive with confidence — the digital certificate is legally valid at police checks and your vehicle is registered in the ANPR camera system

You do not need to wait for the physical sticker before driving in France. The digital certificate covers you from the moment of application.

Preventing future damage

• Position the sticker in the bottom-right corner of the windscreen where it is less exposed to ice scraping
• Avoid scrubbing directly on the sticker when cleaning your windscreen
• If using an automated car wash, the sticker should survive normal cycles — but check it periodically
• Consider the inside surface — the sticker is applied to the inside of the windscreen, so external damage is less common than you might expect