British tourists traveling to France are recommended to bring this item with them

If you are planning a trip to France shortly, it is important to do one simple thing; otherwise, you will face a hefty fine. Before hitting the road, the leading motoring company RAC has urged all drivers to purchase a Crit'Air sticker to protect their windshields. It is reported that the number of regions across the country where such a sticker is mandatory has increased to 12. The list includes popular tourist destinations such as Bordeaux and Clermont-Ferrand.

The RAC reported that "fines of €68 to €135 (about £58 to £116) will be applied to vehicles that do not have the appropriate sticker and/or drive in prohibited areas when they should not." In addition, the company is calling on the French government to warn of third-party fraudulent websites that significantly inflate prices for motorists looking to purchase a vignette. Therefore, be vigilant and buy only on the official Crit'Air website. This information was published by the Huffington Post.

These stickers indicate what type of emissions your car produces. They are divided into the following categories:

Crit'Air 0/E: For electric and hydrogen vehicles with zero emissions - a green sticker.

Crit'Air 1: For hybrid vehicles that can be connected to the power grid - a purple sticker.

Crit'Air 2: For vehicles that meet Euro 5 and Euro 6 emission standards - a yellow sticker.

Crit'Air 3: For vehicles that meet the Euro 4 emission standard - an orange sticker.

Crit'Air 4: For vehicles that meet the Euro 3 emission standard - a burgundy sticker.

Crit'Air 5: For cars that meet the Euro 2 emission standard - a dark gray sticker.

How do I get a Crit'Air sticker?

According to the RAC, you must apply online for a Crit'Air vignette on the official website of the French government. Before doing so, it's worth familiarizing yourself with your vehicle's European emissions standard using a helpful table, but if you're still unsure, contact your vehicle manufacturer.

You will also need to upload an image or scanned copy of your vehicle's V5C registration form. This must be uploaded in JPEG, PNG, or PDF format, and the file size must be less than 400 KB.

The ordering process can take up to six weeks, so make sure you take this into account before you travel and plan accordingly in advance. These stickers are valid as long as they are legible.