XJs in French low emissions zones

I just moved to France. I am shipping my '82 Seca 750. It's modified for fuel injection, but that's a different topic, I think. In general, it looks like France does not allow bikes made before 2000 to carry any emissions related classification, which means (IIUC) that they cannot be ridden in low emission zones (which now includes most cities) during 8AM to 8PM Monday through Friday. There is an option for exemptions for specific vehicles by directly contacting the city government of a particular city.

Wondering if people with more direct experience with this could comment on what they have found to be the case.

 

I think you're buggered..

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/law-change-for-uk-drivers-in-french-cities/

.. although will you be riding with US plates? How will they catch you?? If not then I guess you must re-register your buike in France meaning it will be registered after the 2000 cut-off date, so will that make it eligible??

In London & Birmigham theres a similar scheme, but automatic on number plate recognition. It's more to do with NOx emmisison and than CO2and you can get your older bike/car tested
(cost approx $200) to see if it meets the limit (many old bikes are successful btw), more curiously bikes and cars older than 40 years are classed as 'historic' and are no longer subject to the restrictions.

My 550 turns historic at the end of this month so I will be able to ride into teh center of London with no charges

 

Although..

https://www.connexionfrance.com/art...ench-Crit-Air-sticker-for-foreign-classic-car

et aussi..

https://www.caradisiac.com/une-vignette-crit-air-speciale-pour-les-motos-de-collection-188962.htm

 

Collector status is one likely option... though that requires a vehicle to be in "original condition." That may be the killer. There's a shop I saw nearby that makes custom things like Honda Scramblers with wrapped pipes and straight bars and such. Unfortunately, the shop was not open, and is only open by appointment. I would like to talk with someone there to see what they do about Crit'Air and their customized old bikes.

Yes, my bike, and my car, will need to be registered. For the car, collectible should work. It is quite original. Collectible also carries restrictions on KM/year and maybe number of outings. Probably not a concern for either the bike or the car. But the XJ is fuel injected and has a custom exhaust with a catalytic converter. It's ironic that these changes, which improve emissions, may also disqualify it for collectible status. Worst case, I guess I'll only be able to ride it in the city on weekends... but, Crit'Air gets a lot trickier with other ZFEs out there there that are 24/7...

 

It's sounding quite a bit like our 'Historic' classifiction. Again to qualify you have to dcelare your bike has not been 'significantly modified' from original. Meanoing choppers etc.. may not get the historic ticket.
In reality though no checks are made and I've never heard of anyone falling foul of this law. BTW where did you end up? Quite common for Brits to move to France but less so US citizens as far as I know.

 

I am in Montpellier. I don't think there are that many Brits here either, although a few people have asked if we are English after hearing our accents. Seems like more English end up in Dordogne or Perpignan. Is there still much relocation since brexit, though?

In terms of enforcement and verification... my new (to me) car came with a Crit'Air 1 vignette, which was a main consideration in picking it. I would have liked a diesel, but all diesels are Crit'Air 2 or higher. Crit'Air 2 will be banned from the beginning of 2028. Not having a Crit'Air vignette in a ZFE is a higher penalty (180E) than driving a banned vehicle in a ZFE (85E)... yet I see very few cars in Montpellier with Crit'Air vignettes, even when they would qualify for a 1 or a 0. I can't tell whether the authorities are hoping that the law without enforcement will have sufficient impact, or if they are waiting for some future milestone to begin enforcement.

 

Probably not so much.. I'm not fully aware of the new rules but without an EU passport I beleieve you can now only spend up to 180 days a year in France.
Most ex-pats are retirees I think so new arrivals will face these restrictions, unless there's some other loop-holes. Irish (EU) passports are fairly easy to get e.g. if your wife's uncle's grandpa once visited Limerick you qualify (well almost). My mate has a place near St Tropez and is hoping to reire there, he doesn't appear that bothered by the restrictions , but I guess we'll see in due time.

 

Euro sign is ctrl+alt+4
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