Going abroad? Choose the right window stickers
Are you going on holiday to France, Switzerland or Germany this summer? Or are you travelling through these countries? Then remember to use the correct window stickers (vignettes). In France, for example, you need environmental stickers, in Switzerland you need a motorway vignette and for Germany you can get a Tempo 100 exemption.
Window stickers France
France is tightening its regulations regarding the French environmental sticker this year. Are you heading to a French city or campsite again this summer? Don't forget to check if your car or camper is equipped with the correct window stickers.
Not everyone is aware that all French cities and departments can establish an environmental zone. In these low-emission or temporary emission zones, your vehicle must be equipped with a special Environmental Sticker France (also called Crit'Air or eco-vignette). Incidentally, many German cities also have such environmental zones. There, a green Environmental Sticker is mandatory (Umweltplakette).
Even stricter environmental policy
As of June 1, 2021, French environmental regulations will become even stricter than they already were. The number of regions that only allow certain categories of cars in the event of severe air pollution will double on that date. This tightening was actually supposed to take effect on January 1, 2021, but due to corona, it has been postponed by six months. As of June 1, 2022, the measures will probably become somewhat stricter again: more areas and only cars with Crit'Air sticker 1 and 2 will then only be allowed in.
More changes in France
In addition to the stricter environmental regulations, there is another important rule for campers with a motorhome weighing more than 3.5 tons to consider; since January 1, 2021, blind spot stickers are mandatory in France. Blind spot stickers warn cyclists, pedestrians, and vulnerable road users about blind spots; areas around the vehicle that the driver cannot see. The brightly colored stickers are 25 cm high and 17 cm wide with the text: 'Attention – Angles Morts' ('Caution – Blind Spots').
Three blind spot stickers per vehicle
Three stickers must be affixed per vehicle, at a height between 90 and 150 centimeters above the ground: one sticker at the rear and to the right of the center, and the other two on both sides within 1 meter from the front of the vehicle.
VignetBestellen.nl is one of the few webshops in the Netherlands that offers three different solutions: blind spot stickers as permanent stickers, blind spot stickers as magnets, and a variant with suction cups. The advantage of the latter two is that as soon as you leave France, you can remove the warning stickers from the vehicle and reuse them on a subsequent trip.
Pick up vignette Switzerland
Are you going on holiday to Switzerland or are you travelling through it? For both tourist and business traffic, it is mandatory to have a motorway vignette on Swiss motorways. The availability and delivery time of road vignettes is disappointing at many (web) shops. VignetBestellen.nl has a large stock of vignettes and has a collection desk in Abcoude where you can pay by debit card.
Germany: Tempo 100 exemption
In Germany, the maximum speed for a car-caravan combination is 80 km/h, unless you have a Tempo 100 exemption. If this has been issued for the trailer and the entire combination meets the set requirements, you may drive 100 km/h with that combination.
The Tempo 100 exemption can be obtained after an inspection by, for example, TUV NORD. The combination must meet a number of requirements. After approval, you will receive the Tempo 100 sticker. You then stick this on your caravan, trailer or folding caravan. The exemption only applies to German motorways and is not valid in other European countries.
Want to know more?
Want to know more about vignettes and window stickers? Go to www.vignetbestellen.nl. In addition to a convenient ordering tool for obtaining the correct environmental stickers for France and Germany or the Swiss toll vignette, this website offers numerous accessories that come in handy during your trip and stay abroad. You can also apply for the Tempo 100 exemption there. You can also contact them for information on placement and legislation regarding blind spot stickers.
Still looking for a motorhome or caravan? Our website offers a large and up-to-date selection of new and used motorhomes and caravans.View the offer hereAll sorts of interesting camping areas view here.
