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, so the sticker is on the glass before you travel
• 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. Sit in the cab and place it in the bottom corner of the glass on your right

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.