European winter driving laws
So as you will be aware there is currently no legislation in the UK in terms of winter tyre use. This is real shame as they offer enhanced safety in the colder months and revising the law would certainly reduce road accidents, keep traffic moving during the winter and save lives. If you are driving overseas during the winter then you need to check their winter driving regulations as winter tyres and additional equipment are mandatory in many European countries. Please check the information below to ensure that you stay legal, in addition to avoiding fines you will also ensure that your insurance remains valid in case of an accident.
Austria
Winter tyres; compulsory from 01/11 – 15/04, minimum of 4mm
Spiked tyres; allowed 01/11 – 31/03, maximum speed 37mph highway/56mph motorway, speed rating stickers compulsory
Extras – snow chains may be used on the drive wheels (in combination with summer tyres) as an alternative. Safety vest and warning signs compulsory
Belgium
Winter tyres; no regulations
Spiked tyres; allowed 01/10 – 31/03, maximum speed 50mph highway/62mph motorway
Extras; snow chains are recommended, safety vest and warning triangle compulsory
Bulgaria
Winter tyres; no regulations
Spiked tyres; forbidden
Extras; snow chains are compulsory from 01/11 – 31/03, safety vest and warning triangle compulsory
Croatia
Winter tyres; compulsory in wintry conditions, minimum 4mm tread depth
Spiked tyres; forbidden
Extras; snow chains, safety vest and warning triangles are compulsory
Czech Republic
Winter tyres; highly recommended and can mandated by signs
Spiked tyres; forbidden
Extras; snow chains mandatory in signed areas, warning sign also compulsory
Denmark
Winter tyres; no regulations
Spiked tyres; allowed 01/11 – 15/04
Extras; snow chains and safety vest recommended, warning triangle compulsory
Estonia
Winter tyres; compulsory 01/12 – 28/02, although this date can vary depending on conditions – minimum 3mm tread depth
Spiked tyres; permitted 01/10 – 01/03
Extras; snow chain, safety vest and warning triangle are all recommended
Finland
Winter tyres; compulsory, minimum 3mm of tread
Spiked tyres; permitted 01/11 – 31/03, maximum 1.2mm height above tyre surface
Extras; chains are not regulated, safety vest recommended and warning triangles are compulsory
France
Winter tyres; not compulsory, but are required when indicated by signs, this is often the case in the Alps
Spiked tyres; only allowed 01/11 – 31/03 on special ‘public’ vehicles, speed stickers compulsory
Extras; snow chains can be mandated by signs, safety vest and warning triangles are also compulsory
Germany
Winter tyres, mandatory in wintry conditions – not for caravans/trailers
Spiked tyres; forbidden
Extras, snow chains mandatory, safety vest recommended
Hungary
Winter tyres; recommended
Spiked tyres; forbidden
Extras; snow chains, warning triangle and safety vest are compulsory
Italy
Winter tyres; recommended, can be held liable for collision damage and can be mandated by signs
Spiked tyres; allowed 15/11 – 15/03, maximum speed 56mph highway/75mph motorway
Extras; snow chains, warning triangle and safety vest are compulsory
Lithuania
Winter tyres; mandatory for all vehicles inc caravans/trailers
Spiked tyres; allowed 01/11 – 01/04
Extras; snow chains and safety vest are recommended, warning signs are compulsory
Luxembourg
Winter tyres; recommended
Spiked tyres; allowed 01/12 – 31/03, maximum speed 56mph highway/75mph motorway
Extras; snow chains are recommended, safety vest and warning triangle are mandatory
Latvia
Winter tyres; compulsory, minimum 3mm tread depth
Spiked tyres; allowed 01/10 – 01/03
Extras; safety vest recommended, warning triangle compulsory
Netherlands
Winter tyres; no regulations
Spiked tyres; forbidden
Extras; safety vest recommended and warning signs compulsory
Norway
Winter tyres; compulsory in wintry conditions
Spiked tyres; allowed 16/10 – 30/04, maximum height above tyre 1.2mm
Extras; snow chains recommended, warning triangle compulsory
Poland
Winter tyres; not a legal requirement however because there is minimal snow clearing on country roads driving without winter tyres is a major risk
Spiked tyres; forbidden
Extras; snow chains are compulsory, as is a warning triangle, safety vests are advisable
Romania
Winter tyres; no regulations
Spiked tyres; forbidden
Extras; safety vest is recommended and warning triangles are compulsory
Serbia
Winter tyres; recommended
Spiked tyres; forbidden
Extras; safety vest is recommended and warning triangles are compulsory
Spain
Winter tyres; not compulsory but either winter tyres or chains can become mandated by signs
Spiked tyres; allowed 15/11 – 30/03
Extras; snow chains are recommended, safety vest and warning triangle compulsory
Sweden
Winter tyres; compulsory, must have a minimum of 3mm of tread, also applicable for trailers
Spiked tyres; allowed 01/10 – 30/04, maximum height above tyre 1.2mm
Extras; Snow chains and safety vests are recommended, warning triangles are mandatory
Slovenia
Winter tyres; legal requirement between 15/11 – 1/03, minimum tread depth is 4mm
Spiked tyres; forbidden
Extras; Snow chains, safety vests and warning triangles are all compulsory
Slovakia
Winter tyres; legal requirement between 15/11 – 1/03, minimum tread depth is 4mm
Spiked tyres; forbidden
Extras; Snow chains, safety vests and warning triangles are all compulsory
Switzerland
Winter tyres; recommended, if you have an accident and are not using winter tyres and it is deemed that they should have been used then you can be held liable.
Spiked tyres; allowed 01/11 – 30/04, forbidden on motorways
Extras; snow chains are optional but can be mandated by signs, warning triangle compulsory