License-free car in a LEZ: everything you need to know in 2026
Low emission zones, the Crit'Air sticker, city-by-city restrictions: the situation is clear for electric license-free cars. A little less so for petrol ones. Here is the full picture.
The Crit'Air sticker and the license-free car
The Crit'Air sticker ranks vehicles by their pollutant emissions. For license-free cars the rule is simple: electric engine = Crit'Air 0, petrol engine = Crit'Air 2 or 3.
Electric license-free car
Exempt from every LEZ restriction, no exception. No restriction timetable planned. Free to drive in every city, even during a pollution peak.
Petrol license-free car
Crit'Air 2 for recent models (Euro 6), Crit'Air 3 for older ones. Subject to the same LEZ restrictions as standard cars carrying the same sticker.
Active LEZ cities in France in 2026
These metropolitan areas run an active LEZ with restrictions in force. Electric license-free cars drive there freely; petrol ones must check their sticker.
Restriction timetables change over time. Check the official metropolitan websites for the latest updates.
Electric license-free car: the LEZ advantage
The Crit'Air 0 sticker is granted automatically to all fully electric vehicles. For an electric license-free car, that means:
Exempt from every LEZ
No restriction today, and no restriction timetable planned under the current legislation.
Pollution peak
Even during pollution alerts (days when Crit'Air 3+ are restricted), the electric license-free car drives freely.
Future-proof
LEZ rules will tighten after 2027. The electric license-free car will never be affected by these changes.
No sticker to buy
The Crit'Air 0 sticker is admittedly mandatory in LEZ, but it costs only 3,67 € and is easy to get online.
Petrol license-free car in a LEZ: what to do?
If you drive a petrol license-free car, two steps are needed before entering a LEZ.
Get your Crit'Air sticker
Order your sticker at certificat-air.gouv.fr (3,67 €). It is mandatory to drive in any LEZ. Without it, you can be fined even if your vehicle is allowed.
Check the restrictions for your sticker
With Crit'Air 2, you are allowed in most LEZ in 2026. With Crit'Air 3, check the rules specific to each city, since some already restrict Crit'Air 3.
Anticipate the changes after 2027
LEZ restriction timetables plan a gradual tightening. Crit'Air 3 could be restricted in several cities after 2027. Worth watching if you own an older petrol model.
TacTac builds LEZ into your routes
TacTac knows the active LEZ perimeters in France. If your route crosses a zone where your license-free car could be restricted, the app alerts you automatically before you set off.
Automatic LEZ alerts
Real-time detection if the route crosses a LEZ perimeter with an active restriction.
Filter by car type
Set your engine type (electric or petrol) for relevant alerts.
Alternative routes
If a LEZ restricts your vehicle, TacTac suggests an automatic detour.
Continuous updates
LEZ perimeters and timetables are updated regularly in the app.
Frequently asked questions
Are license-free cars banned from LEZ?
It depends on the type of engine. Electric license-free cars get the Crit'Air 0 sticker and are exempt from every LEZ restriction. Petrol license-free cars get Crit'Air 2 or 3 depending on their engine and year of registration, and may face restrictions in some cities.
Which Crit'Air sticker for a petrol license-free car?
Recent petrol license-free cars (post-Euro 6) usually get the Crit'Air 2 sticker. Older models may be assigned the Crit'Air 3 sticker. The sticker is mandatory in every LEZ and must be displayed on the windscreen. You get it on the official site certificat-air.gouv.fr for 3,67 €.
Which are the active LEZ cities in France in 2026?
In 2026, the active LEZ in mainland France include Paris (inside the ring road), Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Grenoble and Strasbourg. Each of these LEZ has its own timetable and restriction levels based on the Crit'Air sticker.
Does TacTac take LEZ into account in its routes?
Yes. TacTac builds in the LEZ perimeters and can alert you automatically if a route crosses a low emission zone where your vehicle could be restricted. This feature lets you anticipate and adapt your trip based on your car's sticker.
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