Montpellier ZFE: Which Cars Are Banned? What Is the Schedule?

First for trucks, the Montpellier Low Emission Zone (ZFE) began in 2023 before being strengthened in subsequent years, phased banning of Crit’Air rated cars.

Although the obligation comes into effect in 2025, Montpellier and its metropolis are proactive by implementing a ZFE two and a half years early. Authorities emphasize that residents’ health is at risk, as 40,000 premature deaths are recorded in France due to air pollution. It is a social and financial cost estimated at 180 million euros. Atmo Occitanie also measured that 79% of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) emissions come from road traffic.

Which cars cannot drive in the ZFE Rouen?

To avoid delays, Montpellier’s ZFE started on July 1, 2022, for trucks (PL) and utility vehicles (VUL) only, of Crit’Air category 5 and unclassified. The restrictions apply every day of the week, 24 hours a day. 

It was only on January 1, 2023, that first private cars with Crit’Air 5 stickers were banned. This applies solely to diesel cars registered before 2001. Additionally, Crit’Air 4 trucks/VULs are also restricted. However, Montpellier’s ZFE still does not exclude motorcycles, scooters, three-wheelers, or quadricycles for now.

What are the exemptions in the ZFE Rouen?

Montpellier’s ZFE is accommodating, issuing passes for light users driving less than 8,000 km/year. These passes are valid for 3 years but must be requested between 4 and 1 month before restrictions begin.

Like Strasbourg or Toulouse, Rouen and surrounding municipalities within the ZFE-m are required to issue national exemptions for certain vehicle categories, including:

• Inclusion Mobility Card (CMI-s) or European card for disabled persons
• Public service vehicles;
• Low emission public transport;

Montpellier’s ZFE additionally implements many local exemptions, which must be requested 2 months prior to exclusion date:

Collector vehicles;
• Camper vans;
• Crit’Air 2 and 3 E85 vehicles;
• Exceptional convoys;
• Small or large trucks B100/HVO Crit’Air 3 and 4 from small and medium enterprises “committed to fleet greening”;
• Civil security vehicles;
• Company vehicles awaiting delivery due to significant delays.

What is the zone of Montpellier Metropolis? What are the risks?

Unlike typical zones, Montpellier’s ZFE begins with the city itself and some surrounding areas, following the model of Rouen. Eleven municipalities in the metropolitan area will apply the same rules, including:

• Castelnau-le-Lez;
• Clapiers;
• Grabels;
• Jacou;
• Juvignac;
• Lattes;
• Le Crès;
• Montpellier;
• Pérols;
• Saint Jean de Védas;
• Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone.

But this zone applies only from 2022 until July 1, 2026. After that date, the entire Montpellier Metropolitan area will enforce the Montpellier ZFE, covering 20 additional municipalities for a total of 31. The zone also includes some main routes where driving will still be permitted:

• Motorways A750/N109, A709, A9, M132/M132E2, M5, M612/M613, M65/M65E1, M7, and M986 South;
• Av. Auriol, Des Moulins, and Neruda;
• Rue Blayac.

Like other French urban areas, Montpellier and its suburbs are installing park-and-ride facilities for cars that are banned from city driving. Access roads and streets leading to these 10 sites are part of exemptions. All are connected to the tramway and Montpellier-Sud TGV station, facilitating public transportation.

The Montpellier ZFE does not differ from other French Low Emission Zones in terms of penalties. Driving outside the designated perimeter or parking there is punishable by a fine. Class 3, worth €68 for private cars, and Class 4, worth €135 for trucks. A grace period runs from January 1 to July 1, 2023, during which only warnings are issued, without fines.

Montpellier ZFE 2024-2028, which vehicles will be banned?

Like Paris, Montpellier’s ZFE looks far ahead and already plans new phases. The next step is banning Crit’Air 4 cars and Crit’Air 3 trucks in 2024. Vehicles with diesel before 2006 and gasoline before 1997 will thus be prohibited.

By 2025, gasoline cars before 2006 and diesel before 2011, both with Crit’Air 3 stickers, will no longer be allowed. Crit’Air 1 trucks will also be permitted. Finally, on July 1, 2028, across the entire metropolis, Crit’Air 2 cars and utility vehicles will be banned from parking and driving, as well as Crit’Air 2 and higher vehicles.

Montpellier ZFE schedule through 2028

Read also: ZFE Strasbourg: which cars are banned in the Euro-Metropole?