Crit'Air Sticker for a New or Recently Bought Car

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 - and you need it to apply. Here is what to do while you wait, and whether you even need to apply at all.

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

To apply for a Crit’Air sticker you need a photo of both the outside and inside of your V5C, so you will need to wait for the V5C itself to arrive - the green slip alone is not enough. Once your V5C lands (usually within 2 to 4 weeks), the application takes a couple of minutes.

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.

What if the V5C has not arrived yet?

Because every Crit’Air application needs a photo of both sides of your V5C, you cannot apply until the logbook arrives. If your trip is coming up:

Chase the V5C

For a brand-new car the dealer handles DVLA registration and the V5C is usually posted within 2 to 4 weeks. For a used car the transfer can take 2 to 6 weeks. You can check progress at gov.uk, and your dealer may be able to tell you when it was issued.

Apply the moment it arrives

As soon as your V5C lands, apply for the Crit’Air sticker - it takes a couple of minutes. You receive your digital facsimile by email from the French government within about 4 hours, and the physical sticker arrives in 10 to 14 working days, so factor that into your travel dates.

Check the windscreen first

If you bought a used car, the previous owner’s Crit’Air sticker may still be on the windscreen - and it remains valid. If it is there and undamaged, you may not need to apply at all.

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 - you need a photo of both sides of the V5C to apply, so apply once the new V5C has been issued in your name.