It`s time to worry about winter tires. Germany has its regulations. In addition, there are recommendations that make sense; in November 2010, the Bundestag adopted a federal law much more specific to winter tyres. This German federal law was amended in 2015 to require the use of winter tyres in frigid conditions. From January 2018, the new winter tires must be marked with the alpine symbol (a 3-peak mountain with a snowflake in the middle). If you have all-season or winter tires marked M+S and manufactured before 2018, they are still homologated until September 30, 2024. Keep in mind that several aspects of tyre legislation vary from one European country to another, so it`s not just a question of whether or not you need winter tyres. We recommend that you check the details of the tyre legislation in the countries you pass through before leaving. Simple mistakes such as insufficient tread depth can result in a fine on the spot if you are not careful. The fine can range from $60 to $100 ($60 to $100 or £52 to £88), depending on whether the driver has put others at risk by not using winter tyres.
There`s another problem: in the event of an accident with summer tires on snowy or frozen roads, it`s unlikely that insurance will pay or cover only part of the damage. Winter tires – RECOMMENDED – Between October and April 15 or, at other times, when conditions require it, Germany introduced in 2010 a regulation stipulating that all passenger cars and motorcycles must be equipped with winter tires or all-season tires on all axles in winter conditions. Note: Some regions of Italy may introduce their own legislation that makes the use of winter tyres and snow chains compulsory. Since you live in Germany, you may be wondering: what kind of winter tires does German law require? First of all, it is very important to pay attention to certain signs that are attached to the tire. Are you planning a ski trip to Austria, Switzerland or Germany this winter? Have you thought about your tires? Regulations for winter tires, studded tires and snow chains vary from country to country. To avoid a fine, it`s a good idea to check before you go! Here is a practical summary of all the winter tyre laws in force in Europe. Remember that if you do not meet these requirements, you can get a ticket of 80 euros or more. If you have any questions, please contact the USAG Bayern Security Office at DSN 526-2303, CIV 09641-70-526-2303. Berlin, 10 October 2019.
Updated: September 20, 2022 (The Berlin Spectator) – Germans say, “Use winter tires from `O` to `O`.” The first “O” means October and the second “Easter”, which is the German word for Easter. It doesn`t really work in English unless we change one of those letters. First of all, you need to be prepared for much worse road conditions than you would normally encounter at home. Driving abroad in winter can bring its challenges of ice, snow, freezing rain, fog, frost and strong winds. Winter sunshine can also be problematic, as drivers can easily be temporarily dazzled while driving under the sun decades ago, winter tires made normal passenger cars sound like Soviet tanks, increasing fuel consumption at the level of the same vehicles. According to ADAC, those days are over. The differences between summer and winter tires are difficult to measure in this regard. Each European country adopts its own rules for winter tyres, studded tyres and snow chains. In France, as in the UK, winter tyres are not mandatory (although they are highly recommended for your safety at low temperatures). However, in neighboring countries such as Germany, Austria, Luxembourg or even Italy, there are strict rules for the use of winter tires. European winter tyres have two types of markings: a snowflake for winter tyres or M+S for tyres designed for use in mud and snow, or “mud and snow” in German. All-season or all-season tires can also have the marks and are acceptable for winter driving, but tires designed specifically for snow perform better than all-season tires.
Winter tires are not mandatory. Snow chains are allowed. If you`re not sure if other countries have similar tyre laws, visit the European Road Safety website. For more information on winter driving, see Army Europe`s Driver`s Manual and Review. Please note that laws may be updated and changed as average local temperatures fluctuate, so we recommend that you check local laws before taking a trip abroad in the winter.