In 1956, French public finances were at their worst, so Guy Mollet sought a new source of funding to guarantee a minimum income for all people over the age of 65, via a new "National Solidarity Fund." The choice fell on the automobile, a product considered a luxury at the time.

Vegan organic cotton t-shirt (GOT, FWF certified), printed in France

In 1956, French public finances were at their worst, so Guy Mollet sought a new source of funding to guarantee a minimum income for all people over the age of 65, via a new "National Solidarity Fund." The choice fell on the automobile, a product considered a luxury at the time.

The amount of the sticker is based on the "fiscal horsepower" (since imported vehicles have a slightly higher fiscal horsepower, the State also encourages domestic consumption). Those over 65 are exempt from this "disguised tax". Adopted by Parliament, the first stickers bore the words "National Solidarity Fund" in September 1956.

In 2000, it was abolished by Laurent Fabius, Minister of the Economy in the Jospin government, for all private vehicles (the State instead paid a new grant to the departments), but continued to exist for professional vehicles. It was then called the differential tax on motor vehicles.