Crit'Air Sticker for a New or Recently Bought Car - UK Guide 2026

If you have just bought a car and need a Crit’Air sticker, the main issue is that the V5C registration document can take 2–6 weeks to arrive from the DVLA. Here is how to apply before it arrives — and whether you even need to.

New car from a dealer

If you bought a brand-new car from a dealer:

1. The dealer registers the car with the DVLA — this happens as part of the purchase
2. Your V5C arrives in 2–4 weeks — posted to your address by the DVLA
3. The dealer gives you the green slip — the new keeper supplement from the V5C, which confirms the registration

The green slip contains enough information for a Crit’Air application. If you use our service, we can look up your vehicle using just the registration number via the DVLA database — no V5C needed.

Brand-new cars are almost always Crit’Air 1 or 0

• Petrol cars: Crit’Air 1
• Diesel cars: Crit’Air 2
• Hybrid/plug-in hybrid: Crit’Air 1
• Electric: Crit’Air 0

All of these categories are allowed in every current French ZFE zone.

Used car — private sale

If you bought a used car from a private seller:

1. The seller should have given you the green slip (new keeper section of the V5C)
2. The V5C transfer to your name takes 2–6 weeks
3. Check the windscreen — if the previous owner had a Crit’Air sticker and it is still on the car, it remains valid

Is the previous owner’s sticker still valid?

Yes. The Crit’Air sticker is tied to the vehicle registration number, not the owner. If the previous owner applied for a sticker and it is still displayed on the windscreen, it is valid for as long as you own the vehicle. You do not need to reapply.

Check that:

• The registration number on the sticker matches the car’s number plate
• The sticker is not damaged or unreadable
• The QR code is intact

If the sticker is missing (perhaps removed during a windscreen replacement or valeting), you will need to apply for a new one.

Applying before the V5C arrives

If you need a sticker urgently and do not have the V5C yet:

Option 1: Use our service

Enter your registration number and we look up the vehicle details via the DVLA. If the car is registered in the DVLA system (which happens at point of sale), we can process the application without the physical V5C document.

Option 2: Get a VE103B

A VE103B certificate from the DVLA confirms your vehicle’s registration details. It costs £5 and takes about 5 working days to arrive. Apply at gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-the-uk.

Option 3: Wait for the V5C

If your trip is more than 4 weeks away, the V5C will likely arrive in time. Apply for the Crit’Air sticker as soon as the V5C lands — the digital certificate is emailed the same day.

Pre-registered or nearly-new cars

Pre-registered cars (sometimes called “pre-reg” or “ex-demo”) have already been registered by the dealer. The V5C will show the dealer as the previous keeper. When ownership transfers to you, a new V5C is issued.

The same rules apply — use the green slip or our DVLA lookup to apply before the V5C arrives in your name.