Holidays in the mountains. mandatory snow tires from November 1

Mountain Law II, Year 2: The obligation to have your car with winter tires or chains, called “snow tires”, applies to driving in half of the French departments. From November 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. If last winter the authorities showed tolerance by not reporting the offenders, now they risk 135 euros. However, the recall of the license clause is not planned.

The event is about 4320 municipality (list available here) is located in mountainous regions 48 sections (Alps, Corsica, Mass Central, Jura, Pyrenees, Vosges Mass). The purpose: limit accidents and traffic jams (especially at the entrance to winter sports resorts) that can be caused by improper equipment.

Four snow tires or two-wheel drive equipped with chains

Cars, vans, 4x4s, SUVs and motorhomes require “or keep [son] removable luggage compartment non-skid devices (metal or textile snow chains) that enable the accommodation of at least two drive wheels or the installation of four winter tires“, explains the Road Safety website. These “snow tires” are identified by one of them “M+S”, “MS” or “M&S” markings or one of these markings and The “Alpine Symbol” is recognized under the name “3PMSF”. (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flakes). From November 1, 2024, only “3PMSF” tires will be accepted. These tires evacuate water and mud faster and improve grip and braking.

You should arm yourself with it, even if you are a simple tourist passing through one of the municipalities bound by obligation. To avoid regular changes, it may also be worth switching to so-called “four-season” tires, even if the use of winter tires in heavy snow or ice is still strongly recommended. This may represent some investment that may not necessarily be profitable if you only use this equipment a few days a year. Looking for an alternative on the go? Be aware that some mountain resorts are easily accessible by train, both in France and in Europe.

And elsewhere in Europe?

In the absence of European regulations. each country applies its own measures, as reminded by the European Consumer Center (CEC). Therefore, there is no obligation in the United Kingdom, Belgium or the Netherlands. In Germany, Austria or Norway, snow tires are only required when the weather conditions (ice, packed snow, slush, patches of ice or frost) require it. Their use is mandatory for a certain period in the Baltic States, Finland or Sweden. Finally, drivers in Spain and Italy only need to equip their car with snow tires if a road sign requires it.

[Initialement publié le 16 octobre 2021, cet article a fait l’objet d’une mise à jour.]