European regulations for winter equipment on trucks and buses ... - Continental Tires ·...
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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. Dif fering 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.
Transcript of European regulations for winter equipment on trucks and buses ... - Continental Tires ·...
European regulations for winter equipment on trucks and busesWinter 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 busesWinter 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 busesWinter 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 busesWinter 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 GmbHBüttnerstrasse 2530165 HannoverGermany
www.continental-truck-tires.comwww.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 busesWinter 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, lighttrucks, 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).
