Crit'Air Sticker for Vans - UK Guide 2026

If you are driving a van to France, you need a Crit’Air sticker for any ZFE zone - just like a car. The category is based on fuel type and year of registration. The main complication for van owners is the M1/N1 classification on the V5C, which affects how the French system categorises your vehicle.

Van classification: M1 vs N1

Your V5C shows your vehicle’s type approval category:

• M1 - passenger vehicle (up to 8 passengers plus driver). Some van-based people carriers and camper conversions are M1
• N1 - light goods vehicle (designed to carry goods, up to 3,500kg gross vehicle weight)
• N2 - heavier goods vehicles (3,500kg–12,000kg)

For Crit’Air purposes, M1 and N1 vehicles use the same category system. The distinction matters for fines: N1 vehicles under 3,500kg pay car-level fines (€68), while N2 vehicles pay heavy vehicle fines (up to €450).

Common UK vans and their categories

Van	Fuel	Registration	Likely category
Ford Transit (2015+)	Diesel	Euro 6	Crit’Air 2
Ford Transit Custom (2018+)	Diesel	Euro 6	Crit’Air 2
VW Transporter T6 (2015+)	Diesel	Euro 6	Crit’Air 2
Mercedes Sprinter (2019+)	Diesel	Euro 6	Crit’Air 2
Vauxhall Vivaro (2019+)	Diesel	Euro 6	Crit’Air 2
Renault Trafic (2016+)	Diesel	Euro 6	Crit’Air 2
Ford Transit (2011–2014)	Diesel	Euro 5	Crit’Air 2
Ford Transit (2006–2010)	Diesel	Euro 4	Crit’Air 3
Ford Transit (2001–2005)	Diesel	Euro 3	Crit’Air 4
VW Transporter T5 (2010–2015)	Diesel	Euro 5	Crit’Air 2
Citroen Berlingo Electric	Electric	Any	Crit’Air 0

Use the lookup tool above to check your specific van.

Tradespeople and couriers

If you are a UK tradesperson or courier working in France, or passing through French cities to reach a job site:

• Plan your route - check which ZFE zones you will pass through on our zone map
• Apply in advance - do not leave it until the last minute. The digital certificate covers you from day one
• Check your van’s category - most modern diesel vans (2015+) are Crit’Air 2, which is allowed in all current zones
• Display the sticker clearly - van windscreens vary in shape. Place it in the bottom-right corner as seen from outside

Older vans

If your van is older, the restrictions may affect you:

• Crit’Air 3 (diesel 2006–2010) - currently allowed in most zones, but restrictions are tightening in Paris and Lyon
• Crit’Air 4 (diesel 2001–2005) - already banned in Paris and some other cities
• Crit’Air 5 (diesel 1997–2000) - banned in most ZFE zones
• Pre-1997 - cannot get a sticker at all

If your van falls into a restricted category, you may need to plan routes that avoid ZFE city centres. Motorway ring roads typically bypass the zones.

Camper van conversions

If your van has been converted to a camper (VW California, self-build conversion, etc.):

• The Crit’Air category is based on the original vehicle, not the conversion
• Check the V5C for the vehicle type (M1 or N1) - conversions may have been re-registered as M1 (motor caravan)
• The same sticker rules apply regardless of the body conversion

See our motorhome guide for more detail on motor caravans.