Paris will no longer allow cars manufactured before 1997 and motorcycles made before 200 to be driven within city limits on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Those found in violation of the ban could face fines up to $550. Photo by Hadrian/Shutterstock

PARIS, July 2 (UPI) -- Paris placed a ban on older vehicles beginning on Friday to help curb the effects of pollution on the city.

The new rule bans residents from driving cars built before 1997 and motorcycles built before 2000 inside the city limits on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.


Christophe Najdovsky, the deputy Paris mayor in charge of transport and public space told NPR the ban will only affect about 1,000 out of the 600,000 cars on the city's streets every day. Vehicles used for tourism and old vehicles registered as official collector's items are exempt from the ban.

"We know that the major source of pollution in Paris is traffic," Najdovsky said. "Sixty-six percent of nitrogen dioxide and fine particles come from road traffic. And we know it's old cars that spew out the most toxic fumes. That's why we are progressively going to get rid of them."

According to the Washington Post, in 2020 the ban will extend to all cars registered before 2010 and vehicles will be fitted with window stickers indicating their pollution levels.

Those found in violation of the law can face fines up to $550, which will be moderately phased in.