Page 23 - CTB n4 - 2013/4

WINTER TYRES
TBR winter tyre legislations overview
Country Winter period Min. winter RTD M+S Snow chains Min. Summer RTD
Austria 1st November - 15th April (trucks with TTL weight over 3,5 tons)
1st November - 15th March (busses with 8 and more Passenger seats)
Drive Axle
5 mm (bias tyres) 4mm (radial tyres)
Mandatory on at least one drive axle and on roads signposted ‘Winterausrüstung erforderlich’
Mandatory for min. 2 drive 2 mm all axles tyres Truck&Bus under winter
conditions or when indicated
by road sign 1st November - 15th
April. Usage of slush not allowed
Belgium N/A 1.6 mm all axles Not Mandatory Allowed when roads are covered 1.6 mm all axles If winter tyres are fitted, then with snow and ice
symmetry is compulsory
Bosnia & 15th November - 15th April 4 mm all axles Herzegovina
Mandatory on drive axle if no wearing chains
(+shovel +sand)
Mandatory under winter conditions 4 mm all axles if no M+S tyres on drive axle
(+ shovel)
(+ min. 24 kg sand)
Bulgaria 1st November - 31st March 1.6 mm all axles Not Mandatory Mandatory on icy roads in 1.6 mm all axles mountain area
Croatia N/A 4 mm all axles Not Mandatory Mandatory under certain 4 mm all axles conditions
Czech Republic 1st November - 31st March On all roads with existing or expected snow/ice/slush and
always on road sections marked with a snow sign
6 mm on all permanent-drive axles (for vehicles over 3,500 kg gross weight)
4 mm all other non-driven axles (steer/lift/trailer)
Mandatory on all permanent- drive axles
(for vehicles over 3,500 kg gross weight)
Only allowed on roads with a 1.6 mm all axles continuous layer of compacted
snow/ice, mandatory on road
sections marked with appropriate
‘snow chains’ traffic sign
Denmark N/A 1.0 mm all axles Not Mandatory Not Mandatory 1.0 mm all axles
Finland N/A 1.6 mm all axles Not Mandatory Not Mandatory 1.6 mm all axles Usage of studs is allowed from
November 1st to March 31st or first Monday after Easter
France N/A 1.0 mm all axles Not Mandatory Not Mandatory 1.0 mm all axles
Germany Roads covered with snow, ice, 1.6 mm all axles Mandatory drive axle slush
Mandatory on drive axles for 1.6 mm all axles snow covered roads to meet
with the relevant road signs
(max. speed 50 kph)
Greece N/A 1.6 mm all axles Not Mandatory Not Mandatory 1.6 mm all axles
Hungary N/A if OD<0.75m: 1.6mm all axles Not Mandatory Mandatory under certain if OD<0.75m: 1.6mm all axles if OD>0.75m: 3mm all axles conditions if OD>0.75m: 3mm all axles
Ireland N/A 1.6 mm all axles Not Mandatory Not Mandatory 1.6mm all axles
Italy N/A 1.6 mm all axles M+S equivalent to chains. Mandatory in some conditions
or when there is a specific public authority order or chains road sign
Mandatory in case of snow or in 1.6 mm all axles case of chains road sign and if no
winter tyres are fitted
Luxembourg Effective from 1st October 2012 1.6 mm all axles Mandatory drive axle Not Mandatory 1.6 mm all axles Roads covered with snow, ice,
slush
Netherlands N/A 1.6 mm all axles Not Mandatory Not Mandatory 1.6 mm all axles
Norway 1st November - 1st monday after Easter
16th October - 30th April for Northern Norway (Nordland, Troms, Finnmark)
3 mm in all axles of engine-driven vehicles
Mandatory in all axles if the road is covered with snow or ice if
no chains
Mandatory in all axles if the road 1.6 mm all axles is covered with snow or ice if no
M+S marked tyres
Poland N/A 1.6 mm all axles Not Mandatory Mandatory on drive axles of 1.6 mm all axles snow-covered roads to meet
with the relevant road signs
Portugal N/A 1.0 mm all axles Not Mandatory Mandatory under certain 1.0 mm all axles conditions
Romania Not related to period 1.6 mm all axles Mandatory on drive axle(s) on road covered with snow and
ice. Chains or other certificated equipment can be used as option.
Mandatory on roads covered with 1.6 mm all axles snow and ice if no M+S tires are
mounted on drive axle
Serbia 1st November- 1st April 4 mm all axles Mandatory on drive axle if no min 3mm in drive axle if wearing M+S RTD 4 mm and no wearing chains
(and shovel if required)
Mandatory under winter 3 mm all axles conditions if no M+S tyres on
drive axle (Bus: +shovel)
Slovakia 15th November - 31st March 1.6 mm dry/wet All roads 3 mm ice/snow
(for vehicles over 3,500 kg gross weight)
Mandatory on at least one driven Mandatory under certain 1.0 mm all axles axle (for vehicles over 3,500 kg conditions
gross weight)
Slovenia 15th November - 15th March 3 mm drive axle Mandatory drive axle Mandatory under winter 1.6 mm all axles 1.6 mm steer/trailer conditions (+shovel)
Spain N/A 1.6 mm all axles Mandatory under certain conditions if no winter tyres or chains in at least one drive tyre
at each side.
Mandatory under certain 1.6 mm all axles conditions at least in one drive
tyre at each side of the vehicle if
not M+S or winter tyres
Sweden 1st December - 31st March when 5 mm all axles. Except trailer Not Mandatory Not Mandatory 1.6 mm all axles winter road conditions prevail (for vehicles > 3,500 kg GVW)
Switzerland N/A 1.6 mm all axles Not Mandatory But penalty when traffic
obstruction caused by missing winter tyres
Mandatory when indicated by 1.6 mm all axles road sign
United Kingdom N/A 1.0 mm all axles Not Mandatory Not Mandatory 1.0 mm all axles
Local administrations or authorities in each city/country may apply specific requirements relevant to winter tyres or about the mobility equipment on board, for use on highways or other roads, in periods of the year defined by these local administrations or aurhorities. Whilst the above information is provided in good faith, no representation or warranties are made with regard to its completeness or accuracy and no liability will be accepted for damages of any nature whatsoever resulting from the use of or reliance on this information.
V i O b 2012