European regulations for winter equipment on trucks and buses
Winter 2016/2017
Country Tire regulations
Snow chain regulations
Further information
Albania
No general winter tire regulations.
Snow chains for drive axle must be carried in
the vehicle. Use according to traffic signs and
road conditions.
Studded tires prohibited.
Austria
Winter tires compulsory from November 1 to April 15. Risk of driving ban
and heavy fines if you do not comply
(35 up to 5,000€). Trucks > 3.5t GVW
must be equipped with M+S tires on at
least one drive axle with a min. tread
depth of 6mm (bias) and 5mm (radial).
Winter tires are compulsory for buses
(categories M2, M3) from November 1
to March 15.
Snow chains must be carried in vehicle for at
least two drive axle tires from November 1
to April 15.
Exceptions for public service buses apply.
Use on roads covered with snow and ice.
Studded tires are prohibited for
vehicles > 3.5t GVW.
Belgium
No general winter tire regulations.
Symmetric fitting compulsory for M+S
and winter tires.
Snow chains only allowed on roads covered
with snow and/or ice.
Studded tires prohibited.
BosniaHerzegovina
From November 15 to April 15 there
are two options that are mandatory for
vehicles with more than 8 seats and for
vehicles with > 3.5t GVW:
Snow chains must be carried in vehicle from
November 15 to April 15.
Snow shovel and bag of sand from
25 to 50kg must be carried in vehicle. Studded tires prohibited.
Option 1: Tires with winter profile on the
drive axle with min. 4mm tread depth.
Option 2: Tires with standard profile with
min. 4mm tread depth, in case of winter
conditions (e.g. snow fall, freezing rain)
snow chains need to be mounted on
the drive axle.
Belarus
No general winter tire regulations.
Snow chains only allowed on roads covered
with snow and ice.
Studded tires allowed.
Bulgaria
No general winter tire regulations.
Snow chains must be carried in vehicle from
November 1 to March 31.
Studded tires prohibited.
Without adequate winter equipment the entry into the country
may be refused or a driving
ban may be issued.
Usage is compulsory on mountain passes
when indicated by traffic signs.
European regulations for winter equipment on trucks and buses
Winter 2016/2017
Country Tire regulations
Snow chain regulations
Further information
Croatia
Winter tires compulsory from
November 15 to April 15. M+S tires
are compulsory on the drive axle of
vehicles > 3.5t GVW.
Snow chains required for drive axle in certain
conditions (if the vehicle is equipped with
SU tires). Snow chains compulsory in some
regions (Lika/Gorski Kotar).
Studded tires prohibited. Commercially used vehicles must carry
a snow shovel.
Czech
Republic
Winter tires compulsory from
November 1 to March 31 depending
on road conditions in winter, or in case
of sign „winter kit”. M+S tires are compulsory on the drive axle of vehicles >
3.5t GVW with min. 6mm tread depth.
Differing traffic signs possible. Snow chains
are compulsory if indicated by traffic signs on
at least 2 drive wheels of vehicles with 3 and
more axles.
Studded tires prohibited.
Denmark
No general winter tire regulations.
Snow chains allowed from November 1
to April 15.
Studded tires allowed from
November 1 to April 15. Studded
tires should be mounted on all
tires during this period.
Estonia
Winter tires compulsory (radial tires
with min. 3mm tread depth) from
December 1 to March 1 (also from
October to April depending on weather
conditions).
Snow chains only allowed on roads covered
with snow and ice.
Studded tires are prohibited for
vehicles > 3.5t GVW.
Finland
Vehicles > 3.5t GVW with min. 1.6mm
tread depth.
Snow chains only allowed on roads
covered with snow and ice.
Studded tires allowed from November 1 to first Monday after Easter.
Depending on the weather conditions this period may be extended.
Max. speed 80km/h for vehicles
> 3.5t GVW. Allowed are: Average
saliency max. 1.5mm and max. 50
studs per meter circumference in
tires produced after July 1, 2013.
France
No general winter tire regulations.
Exceptions are indicated by traffic
signs.
Use of snow chains when indicated
by traffic signs.
Vehicles < 3.5t GVW: Studded tires
allowed from first Saturday before
November 11 to last Sunday of
March, max. speed 90km/h. Vehicles
with studded tires have to be labeled
with a sticker. Studded tires are
prohibited for vehicles > 3.5t GVW.
Germany
Situational winter equipment
requirement: Vehicles < 3.5t GVW
must be equipped with winter/M+S
tires on all wheels. Vehicles > 3.5t
GVW must be equipped with
winter/M+S tires on the drive
axles. Time period not specified.
Use of snow chains when indicated by traffic
signs. Studded tires prohibited. Exception:
Route via „Kleines Deutsches Eck“.
60 € fine for unsuitable tires, 80 €
fine for causing obstruction/disturbance of traffic due to unsuitable
tires, 100 € fine for causing
hazardous situation due to unsuitable tires, 120 € fine for causing
an accident due to unsuitable tires.
Plus 1 point each. (Flensburg Point
System)
Great
Britain
No general winter tire regulations.
Snow chains only allowed on roads covered
with snow and ice.
Studded tires allowed as long as
the street surface doesn‘t get
damaged. Otherwise a regress
is possible.
Hungary
No general winter tire regulations.
Snow chains only allowed on roads covered
with snow and ice. The application and entrainment of snow chains may be compulsory
due to special weather conditions (max speed
50km/h) . In wintry conditions the entry may
be rejected for foreign vehicles if no snow
chains are carried on board.
Studded tires prohibited.
Ireland
No general winter tire regulations.
Snow chains only allowed when roads
covered with snow and ice.
Studded tires are allowed,
max. speed 96/112 km/h
(national road/motorway).
European regulations for winter equipment on trucks and buses
Winter 2016/2017
Country Tire regulations
Snow chain regulations
Further information
Italy
No general winter tire regulations.
Exceptions are indicated by traffic
signs.
An anti-skid device (e.g. snow chains) must be
carried in vehicle.
Winter regulation prot. RU/1580
applies only to the following
vehicle categories: M1, N1
and O1.
Kosovo
No general winter regulations.
Snow chains for drive axle must be carried in
the vehicle. Use according to traffic signs and
conditions.
Studded tires prohibited. Buses
and trucks must carry a snow
shovel.
Latvia
Winter tires (M+S) compulsory for
vehicles < 3.5t GVW from December 1
to March 1. Min. 3mm tread depth.
Snow chains only allowed on roads covered
with snow and ice.
Studded tires allowed between
October 1 and April 30 for
vehicles > 3.5t GVW.
No general winter tire regulations.
However, there are liability issues if
non-adequate tires are used. Vehicle
equipment must match weather
conditions.
Snow chains allowed. Not necessary in valleys. In the mountains, traffic signs indicate
if snow chains are compulsory.
Vehicles > 7.5t GVW: Studded tires
allowed from November 1 to April 30,
max. speed 80km/h. All tires should
be equipped with studded tires.
Vehicles with studded tires have
to be labeled with a sticker.
Winter tires compulsory for vehicles
< 3.5t GVW from November 1 and
April 1.
Snow chains only allowed on roads covered
with snow and ice.
Studded tires allowed between
November 1 and April 1.
Luxembourg
All drive-axles on trucks and buses
need to be equipped with winter
tires (M+S suffices) during winter
conditions (snow, ice, glazed frost).
Snow chains only allowed on roads covered
with snow and ice.
Studded tires prohibited.
Macedonia
No general winter tire regulations.
Snow chains must be carried in vehicle from
October 15 to March 15 if vehicle has only
standard tires fitted.
Coaches and heavy trucks must
carry snow shovels. Studded tires
prohibited.
Montenegro
Tires marked with M+S symbol or
winter tires compulsory from
November to April on specific roads,
specified by Ministery of Police.
Min. 4mm tread depth.
Snow chains for drive axle must be carried in
the vehicle. Use according to traffic sings and
conditions.
Studded tires prohibited. Buses
and trucks must carry a snow
shovel.
Netherlands
No general winter tire regulations.
Snow chains not allowed on public roads.
Studded tires prohibited.
Norway
Vehicles > 3.5t GVW min. 5mm
tread depth compulsory between
November 1 and including first
Monday after Easter (South Norway)
and between October 16 and
including April 30 (North Norway).
Vehicles > 3.5t GVW are mandatory to carry
snow chains in the period when it is legal to
use studs.
Studded tires (protrusion average
1.7mm) allowed from November
1 to the first Sunday after Easter.
In 'Nordland, Troms and Finnmark‘
from October 16 to April 30.
Trucks and trailers: studded tires on
the same axle. If twinmounted one
tire is sufficient.
In Trondheim and Oslo a fee is
charged for the usage of studded
tires: daily tickets may be acquired at
vending machines along the arterial
roads or by telephone or SMS (send
from a Norwegian, Swedish or
Danish telephone number). Monthly
and annual tickets for Trondheim
may be acquired at Trondheim City
Parking Office in Erling, Skakkes Gate
40, 7012 Trondheim. Daily tickets
cost about 3.90 Euro, monthly
tickets about 52 Euro und annual
tickets about 155 Euro (Costs
double for vehicles > 3.5t GVW).
A violation is fined with 97 Euro.
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Mandatory use of winter tires on all
axle positions from November 15 to
March 31.
Please find a list with approved winter
tires on www.stro.no
A truck with trailer must bring 7 chains.
European regulations for winter equipment on trucks and buses
Winter 2016/2017
Country Tire regulations
Snow chain regulations
Further information
Poland
Snow chains only allowed on roads covered
with snow and ice. Adequate traffic signs on
roads where snow chains are compulsory.
Studded tires prohibited.
No general winter tire regulations.
Portugal
No general winter tire regulations.
Snow chains temporarily compulsory when
indicated by traffic signs (only happens in
highest areas).
Studded tires prohibited.
Romania
In case of wintry road conditions M+S
or winter tires are compulsory for the
drive axle of all vehicles > 3.5t GVW
and vehicles transporting people (with
more than 9 seats).
Vehicles > 3.5t GVW have to be equipped with
snow chains which need to be mounted when
indicated by respective traffic signs.
Shovel and sand required for
vehicles > 3.5t GVW. Studded
tires prohibited.
Russia
New Technical Regulation expected.
In months December, January,
February passenger, light truck,
trucks and buses must be equipped
on all axles with tires marked M+S or
with the 3PMSF-Symbol (Three Peak
Mountain Snowflake-Symbol).
Minimum tread depth 4mm.
Snow chains are recommended but not
compulsory.
Use of studded tires is forbidden
in the summer months (June,
July, August).
Serbia
Tires marked with M+S symbol or
winter tires compulsory from
November to April. Min 4 mm tread
depth. Use according to trafic signs
and conditions.
Snow chains for drive axle must be carried in
the vehicle. Use according to traffic sings and
conditions.
Studded tires prohibited. Buses
and trucks must carry a snow
shovel.
Slovakia
Winter/M+S tires compulsory for trucks
> 3.5t GVW from November 15 and
March 31 on drive axle (min. 3mm
tread depth).
Snow chains must be carried in vehicle.
Use according to traffic signs and conditions.
Studded tires prohibited.
Slovenia
From November 15 to April 15 there
are two options that are mandatory
on vehicles > 3.5 t GVW:
option 1: winter tires at least on the
drive axle (min. 3 mm tread depth)
option 2: standard tires, but chains
must be carried in the vehicle to be
mounted on drive axle in case of
winter conditions.
Snow chains must be carried in vehicles > 3.5
t GVW if no winter tires are fitted.
Studded tires prohibited.
Spain
No general winter tire regulations.
Winter/M+S tires compulsory when
indicated by traffic signs or the
authorities.
Snow chains allowed when indicated by traffic
signs or the authorities. Snow chains only
permitted on roads covered with snow
and ice.
Usage of studded tires with up
to 2mm studs are allowed on
snow-covered roads.
Sweden
In winter conditions, minimum tread
depth is 5mm on all tires except trailer
tires. M+S marked winter tires are compulsory on the drive axle for vehicles >
3.5t GVW from December 1 to
March 31. For a list of approved winter
tires for the drive axle please visit
www.stro.se.
Snow chains recommended to be carried in
the vehicle.
Studded tires are allowed from
October 1 to April 15. Depending
on the weather conditions this period may be extended. Maximum of
50 studs per meter circumference
in tires produced after July 1, 2013.
Please consider exceptions
concerning specific roads.
Switzerland
No general winter tire regulations,
regional regulations are possible in
wintery road conditions (e.g. alpine
pass-roads). Min tread depth for winter
tires 1.6mm. In case of an accident
with standard tires in wintry conditions, be aware of liability issues.
If authorities announce snow chain obligation,
only snow chains are permitted (four-wheel
drive vehicles may be excluded). Use of snow
chains in case of respective road signs and
conditions.
Studded tires are permitted for
vehicles < 3.5t GVW between
November 1 and April 30 or on
snowcovered roads. Max. speed
80km/h. Studded tires have to
be labled with a sticker 80km/h.
European regulations for winter equipment on trucks and buses
Winter 2016/2017
Country Tire regulations
Snow chain regulations
Further information
Turkey
Snow chains recommended to be carried in
the vehicle and to be used on roads covered
with snow and ice.
Tow rope and chock should be
carried in the vehicle. Studded tires
also can be used as a winter tire.
Snow chains only allowed on roads covered
with snow and ice.
Studded tires are allowed.
From December 1 to April 1 it is
compulsory for commercial vehicles to use winter tires for intercity
usages. In cities, local authorities will
define the time period for each city
individually.
All types of trucks, tractors and buses
have to be equipped with tires marked
with the M+S, the M+S and 3PMSF
symbol or with the 3PMSF symbol on
the drive axles. All types of vans, light
trucks, pickups and passenger cars
that are used for commercial purposes (Taxi, etc.) have to be equipped
with tires marked with the M+S, the
M+S and 3PMSF symbol or with the
3PMSF symbol on all axles.
When using retreaded tires, the tread
pattern has to be a winter tire pattern.
Min. tread depth of commercial
vehicle tires is 4mm.
Ukraine
No general winter tire regulations.
Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
Büttnerstrasse 25
30165 Hannover
Germany
We are currently not aware of general winter tire rules / snow chain regulations
for trucks in the following countries: Cyprus, Greece and Malta. Please consult the
traffic regulations in the respective countries for special snow chain and studded
tire rules.
www.continental-truck-tires.com
www.continental-corporation.com
Despite careful research, we cannot guarantee that the information is correct
and complete.
M+S (Mud+Snow) marked tyres provide a tread pattern or structure that is designed to deliver performance that
exceeds that of a standard tyre in snowy conditions. The M+S label is not subject to a defined test procedure.
Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) tyres deliver winter performance that is legally certified.
These tyres have to pass a test on a snow covered road and have at least 25% better traction than
a standard reference tyre.
Winter tires from Continental are marked with the snowflake symbol on the tire wall. Not only do Continental winter
tires easily outperform M+S tires, they also significantly exceed the requirements of the „Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake“ symbol (3PMSF). The development of winter tires from Continental is based on many years of experience and
practical knowledge gained from using the tires in deep temperatures Scandinavian countries. These special winter
tires offer a distinct advantage for a safe journey on snow-covered or icy roads.
For optimum traction and high driving safety in colder weather Continental recommends fitting winter tires on all axles of your trucks
and buses.