European regulations for

winter equipment on trucks and buses

Winter 2015/2016

Country Tire regulations Snow chain regulations Further information

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.Albania

Winter tires compulsory from Novem-

ber 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.

Austria

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.

Bosnia-

Herzegovina

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 must be carried in vehicle from

November 15 to April 15. Use on roads covered

with snow and ice. Fitting: at least 1 pair on drive

axle.

Snow shovel must be carried in

vehicle. Studded tires prohibited.

Bulgaria No general winter tire regulations. Snow chains must be carried in vehicle from

November 1 to March 31.

Usage is compulsory on mountain passes

when indicated by traffic signs.

Studded tires prohibited.

Without adequate winter equip-

ment the entry into the country

may be refused or a driving

ban may be issued.

Croatia No general winter tire regulations.

In case of wintery road conditions

M+S tires are compulsory.

Snow chains required for drive axle in

certain conditions. Snow chains compulsory

in Lika/Gorski Kotar region.

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 compul-

sory 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.

Belarus No general winter tire regulations. Snow chains only allowed on roads covered

with snow and ice.

Studded tires allowed.

European regulations for

winter equipment on trucks and buses

Winter 2015/2016

Country Tire regulations Snow chain regulations Further information

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.

Estonia

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 Novem-

ber 1 to first Monday after Easter.

Depending on the weather condi-

tions 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.

Finland

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.

France

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 of traf-

fic 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)

Germany

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.

Great

Britain

No general winter tire regulations. Snow chains only allowed on roads covered

with snow and ice. The application and en-

trainment 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.Hungary

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).

Ireland

No general winter tire regulations. 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.

Italy

No general winter tire 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.

Kosovo

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.

European regulations for

winter equipment on trucks and buses

Winter 2015/2016

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 val-

leys. 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.

Liechtenstein

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.

Lithuania

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.Luxembourg

Winter tires compulsory on drive

axle from November 15 to March 15.

Min. 5mm tread depth.

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.

Macedonia

Tires marked with M+S symbol or

winter winter tires compulsory from

November to April on specific roads,

specified by Ministery of Police.

Snow chains only allowed on roads covered

with snow and ice.

Studded tires prohibited.Montenegro

No general winter tire regulations. Snow chains not allowed on public roads. Studded tires prohibited.Netherlands

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).

Mandatory use of winter tires on all

axle positions from from November 15

to March 31.

Please find a list with approved winter

tires on www.stro.se

Vehicles > 3.5t GVW are mandatory to carry

snow chains in the period when it is legal to

use studs.

A truck with trailer must bring 7 chains.

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.

Norway

Country Tire regulations Snow chain regulations Further information

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.

Latvia

No general winter tire regulations. Snow chains only allowed on roads covered

with snow and ice. Adequate traffic signs on

roads where snow chains are compulsory.

Studded tires prohibited.Poland

European regulations for

winter equipment on trucks and buses

Winter 2015/2016

No general winter tire regulations. Snow chains temporarily compulsory when

indicated by traffic signs (only happens in

highest areas).

Studded tires prohibited.Portugal

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.

Romania

No general winter tire regulations for

trucks and buses.

Snow chains for drive axle must be carried

in the vehicle.

Studded tires prohibited. Buses

and trucks must carry a snow

shovel.

Serbia

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.Slovakia

Winter tires compulsory at least on the

drive axle (min. 6mm tread depth) of

vehicles > 3.5t GVW from November 15

to March 15.

Snow chains must be carried in vehicles > 3.5t

GVW if no winter tires are fitted.

Studded tires prohibited.Slovenia

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.

Spain

In winter conditions, minimum tread

depth is 5mm on all tires except trailer

tires. M+S marked winter tires are com-

pulsory 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 peri-

od may be extended. Maximum of

50 studs per meter circumference

in tires produced after July 1, 2013.

Please consider exceptions

concerning specific roads.

Sweden

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 condi-

tions, 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.

Switzerland

Country Tire regulations Snow chain regulations Further information

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). Mini-

mum tread depth 4mm.

Snow chains are recommended but not

compulsory.

Use of studded tires is forbidden

in the summer months (June,

July, August).

Russia

Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH

Büttnerstrasse 25

30165 Hannover

Germany

www.continental-truck-tires.com

www.continental-corporation.com

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.

Despite careful research, we cannot guarantee that the information is correct

and complete.

European regulations for

winter equipment on trucks and buses

Winter 2015/2016

Country Tire regulations Snow chain regulations Further information

From December 1 to April 1 it is

compulsory for commercial vehic-

les 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 purpo-

ses (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.

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.

Turkey

No general winter tire regulations. Snow chains only allowed on roads covered

with snow and ice.

Studded tires are allowed.Ukraine

For optimum traction and high driving safety in colder weather Continental recommends fitting winter tires on all axles of your trucks and

buses.

The development of the Continental Scandinavia winter tires is based on many years of experience and practical knowledge

gained from using the tires in Scandinavian countries. Winter tires from Continental are marked with the snowflake symbol

on the tire wall. They easily outperform M+S tires and they significantly exceed the requirements of the „Three-Peak Moun-

tain Snowflake“ symbol (3PMSF).