Crit'Air Sticker for Vans - UK Guide 2026
Updated 29 March 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.
Check your Crit'Air category
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.