Motorists are being warned of expensive fines when driving in Europe this summer which could result from a service which some Britons may be unaware of.
When travelling in France, motorists are required to have a clean air sticker if they are driving through most major cities.
If they enter a city without purchasing a clean air sticker, they can face a fine of up to €180 or £155.
France has 12 major cities which have a clean air system, with all cars and motorbikes entering the zones needing to display a sticker.
Kriss Akabusi called it "just another tax on the motorist"
GB News
The Crit’Air vignette indicates the emissions output of the vehicle and could restrict more-polluting vehicles from entering cities.
The sticker can only be purchased online and in advance, meaning motorists cannot purchase them locally, which could see many caught out if they are unaware of the changes.
Penalties can be issued by the police for €68 (£58.60) if they do not have a ticket, but camera-based enforcement is set to begin next year.
This will mean maximum fines will increase dramatically, with the highest fee for drivers costing €750 or £646.51.
Six categories of clean air stickers exist in France, with green denoting the cleanest vehicles and dark grey used for the most polluting.
Any vehicles registered outside of France need to pay €4.61 or £3.97 for the sticker, whereas those in France will be charged €3.72 or £3.21.
Former Olympian Kriss Akabusi spoke on GB News about driving in Europe and how motorists are being targeted with fines.
Speaking on Breakfast with Stephen and Ellie this morning, the former world champion said: “My experience on the continent is that they will fine you on the spot and you have to get the money.
“I remember once I was going from Germany into Belgium, got fined, and didn’t have the money on me. They followed me to the bank, so they will get their money.
“Basically, this is just another tax on the motorist. Cut it whatever way you like, the motorist is an easy target.
“If you’re one of those guys that travels on the continent, if you’re going from France through Spain and into Portugal, you’re going to have three or four different types of licences.”
The clean air zones can be found in the City of Paris, Greater Paris, Grenoble, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nice, Reims, Rouen-Normandy, Saint-Etienne, Strasbourg and Toulouse.
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Drivers will need a clean air sticker in Paris
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Other European countries employ emissions-based charging areas including Spain, Italy and Switzerland, with drivers urged to check on the rules before they set off.
