From November 1, winter tires will be compulsory in 48 departments. Auto-Moto explains everything about this measure.
You probably already know, from November 1, the Winter tires will be compulsory in 48 French departments, located in the mountainous regions of the territory. A measure which should make it possible to improve safety and reduce the number of accidents linked to bad weather and the winter climate. But what does this new Mountain Law say? Can we replace winter tires with chains? Auto-Moto takes stock and tells you everything.
Maps affected areas | New panel | What fines? | 4-season tire test | How many winter tires? | When to change? | Tires or chains? | Where to store?
Which departments and vehicles are affected?
In total, no less than 48 departments will be affected by mandatory snow tires, these being detailed on a map published on the government site. Among them are the Ain, the Territoire de Belfort, the Alpes de Haute Provence or the Ardèche and the Jura, among others. Many municipalities will therefore be subject to this obligation, but the full list has yet to be finalized.
All cars and light commercial vehicles are affected, as are buses and coaches. The heavyweight without a trailer and motorhomes will also have to submit to this new law, while trucks with a trailer will have to take additional precautions by adding chains to their winter tires.
Which tires to choose?
The new regulations therefore oblige vehicles traveling in the areas affected by the Mountain Law to equip yourself with snow or winter tires. It is therefore necessary to ensure that these bear the M + S (Mud + Snow) mark, which offers good grip on snow. Be careful, because these will only be tolerated until 2024, however, because they are not as efficient as winter tires. These are then stamped 3PMSF and bear the Alpine symbol, which features a snowflake in a three-peaked mountain. These then allow you to drive on snow and ice in complete safety. It is also possible to opt for all-season tires, provided they have one of these two markings.
Can we replace winter tires with chains?
You may not have known it, but it is not necessarily necessary to have winter tires, if you are equipped with chains or socks. Surprisingly enough, you do not have to install them on your vehicle before driving in an affected area, since the government specifies that it is enough simply to have anti-slip devices in your trunk. The best is still to install them at least on the driving wheels, even if the ideal is to equip your entire vehicle, for optimal safety. On the other hand, from November 1, 2024 “ only 3PMSF tires will be accepted as chain equivalents. The purchase and use of other “snow tires” will remain possible, but in this case, users must also have chains to travel from November 1 to March 31 in the areas affected by the measure. », As the website of the Road safety.
What are the sanctions ?
Good news, no sanction will only be applied during the first year of the implementation of this measure, as underlinede the government, which affirms that “ any breaches of this obligation will not be penalized in the first year of the implementation of this system, i.e. from November 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 “. The first fines will therefore fall in 2022, and offenders will then have to pay € 135 and may also incur immobilization of the vehicle.
Also read on Auto-Moto.com:
Snow tires and winter tires: is there a difference?
Where to store your summer tires in winter?
Test: we drove for a year with all-season tires
From November 1, winter tires will be compulsory in 48 departments. Auto-Moto explains everything about this measure.
You probably already know, from November 1, the Winter tires will be compulsory in 48 French departments, located in the mountainous regions of the territory. A measure which should make it possible to improve safety and reduce the number of accidents linked to bad weather and the winter climate. But what does this new Mountain Law say? Can we replace winter tires with chains? Auto-Moto takes stock and tells you everything.
Maps affected areas | New panel | What fines? | 4-season tire test | How many winter tires? | When to change? | Tires or chains? | Where to store?
Which departments and vehicles are affected?
In total, no less than 48 departments will be affected by mandatory snow tires, these being detailed on a map published on the government site. Among them are the Ain, the Territoire de Belfort, the Alpes de Haute Provence or the Ardèche and the Jura, among others. Many municipalities will therefore be subject to this obligation, but the full list has yet to be finalized.
All cars and light commercial vehicles are affected, as are buses and coaches. The heavyweight without a trailer and motorhomes will also have to submit to this new law, while trucks with a trailer will have to take additional precautions by adding chains to their winter tires.
Which tires to choose?
The new regulations therefore oblige vehicles traveling in the areas affected by the Mountain Law to equip yourself with snow or winter tires. It is therefore necessary to ensure that these bear the M + S (Mud + Snow) mark, which offers good grip on snow. Be careful, because these will only be tolerated until 2024, however, because they are not as efficient as winter tires. These are then stamped 3PMSF and bear the Alpine symbol, which features a snowflake in a three-peaked mountain. These then allow you to drive on snow and ice in complete safety. It is also possible to opt for all-season tires, provided they have one of these two markings.
Can we replace winter tires with chains?
You may not have known it, but it is not necessarily necessary to have winter tires, if you are equipped with chains or socks. Surprisingly enough, you do not have to install them on your vehicle before driving in an affected area, since the government specifies that it is enough simply to have anti-slip devices in your trunk. The best is still to install them at least on the driving wheels, even if the ideal is to equip your entire vehicle, for optimal safety. On the other hand, from November 1, 2024 “ only 3PMSF tires will be accepted as chain equivalents. The purchase and use of other “snow tires” will remain possible, but in this case, users must also have chains to travel from November 1 to March 31 in the areas affected by the measure. », As the website of the Road safety.
What are the sanctions ?
Good news, no sanction will only be applied during the first year of the implementation of this measure, as underlinede the government, which affirms that “ any breaches of this obligation will not be penalized in the first year of the implementation of this system, i.e. from November 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 “. The first fines will therefore fall in 2022, and offenders will then have to pay € 135 and may also incur immobilization of the vehicle.
Also read on Auto-Moto.com:
Snow tires and winter tires: is there a difference?
Where to store your summer tires in winter?
Test: we drove for a year with all-season tires
