Replacement Crit'Air Sticker: Lost, Damaged or Faded

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 the French government emails a new invoice with a digital facsimile on it within a few hours.

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 and confirm the vehicle from the DVLA lookup
2. Add your details and delivery address
3. Upload photos of both sides of your V5C
4. Pay the fee
5. Receive the government invoice by email within hours - your digital facsimile is printed at the foot of it
6. 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 emailed digital facsimile while you wait

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

1. Apply for the replacement now - the government invoice arrives by email within hours
2. Print the PDF for the glovebox and save a copy to your phone
3. Carry it alongside your damaged sticker - between them you can show an officer the category, the registration and that a replacement is on its way

Bear in mind this is proof for someone who asks to see it. ANPR cameras check your number plate against the government database rather than reading anything you hand over, so leave enough time for the replacement sticker to arrive rather than relying on the facsimile for a whole trip.

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