If some cars – whose registration dates back to a date prior to December 31, 1996 – are simply not eligible for the Crit’Air sticker, because they are considered too old, others are completely exempt. This is the case with collector cars. But what is behind this name?
In Greater Paris, Reims, Rouen and Nice, classic cars will finally be able to continue to drive without a Crit’Air sticker in low emission zones (ZFE), the aim of which is nevertheless to exclude the most old, and the most polluting. “The decrees, integrating the derogation for vintage vehicles in collector’s registration certificates, are to be published in four agglomerations”, welcomed the French Federation of Vintage Vehicles (FFVE).
Today in France, this “collection” title can only be obtained by applying to the FFVE, which issues a certificate. And it is this certificate which then allows you to receive a collection registration certificate, from the National Agency for Secure Titles (ANTS). So what are the prerequisites to be eligible for this title?
Criteria to respect
First, the vehicle must be at least 30 years old, and its MINE type – also called National Type Identification Code (CNIT) – no longer produced. The latter makes it possible to know the main characteristics of the vehicle and to identify it at European level. It is an alphanumeric series composed of 12 to 15 characters.
It is also necessary that its use be exclusively reserved for leisure, but above all that the vehicle has been kept in its original configuration, that it has not been modified, and that it is “period” and preserved on a historical plan. .
To obtain this collection registration certificate, you must also prove that you are the owner of the vehicle, thanks to a certificate of transfer for example or your last registration certificate, the invoice from a professional or even a notarial deed. . Note that the make of the vehicle, its type and its serial number must appear on these documents.
Finally, the vehicle must be identified by the manufacturer’s plate and the cold plate. And above all, it must be in a condition to pass its technical control. Rather “restrictive” criteria according to the FFVE, which however expects an “increase in requests” and “computerizes its procedures”.
400,000 vehicles concerned
Today, in France, there are approximately 400,000 registered vehicles in collection, or 1% of the French car fleet. According to a survey by the FFVE, they go out on average 14 times and travel 950 km per year. Among them, there are old tractors, vintage military vehicles, collectible heavy goods vehicles and utility vehicles, as well as non-wheeling vehicles.
“Collectors bring to life the industrial, technical, economic and social heritage that these vehicles represent”, underlined Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, the Minister Delegate in charge of Transport, in a letter addressed to the presidents of metropolises to request this derogation, assuring that “ their contribution to air pollution [apparaissait] very limited in built-up areas due to their small number and the insignificant mileage they cover”.