Take V5s to Paris, UK classic owners told

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs is advising classic car owners driving into Paris to take their V5 with them to avoid being fined over new emissions regulations.

The French government has confirmed that classic cars over 30 years old are exempt from the new Paris Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) but owners are struggling to get their grey ‘carte grise collection vignette’ or classic car sticker.

All vehicles driving in Paris from abroad for events like Rétromobile must now display a Crit’Air colour-coded car emissions sticker, which can be bought for £3.60, to avoid being fined.

While the French government’s Air Quality Certificate Service is now available in English (www.certificat-air. gouv.fr) there is currently no way for historic owners to get their stickers through the online registration process.

The FBHVC has asked for confirmation of how UK classic owners can get stickers but has not yet received a response.

Communications director Geoff Lancaster says: ‘If you are in a vehicle with a historic classification and travelling to Paris our advice would be to take your V5 with you to prove its age.’

Classics are exempted from the Paris rules. Brits taking classics into Paris may be asked to prove their car’s age to avoid being fined.