A trip through Europe by car is great idea! Christmas and New Year in European capitals, the unique atmosphere of the festival and joy… And now, some of the prose of life - let’s talk about snow tires. For your journey not to turn into a problem - read carefully the road rules of European countries concerning the use of snow, and particularly spiked, tires.
General rules:
The following countries don’t have a specific legislation on the mandatory use of snow tires: Albania, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal.
Snow tires required (usually from November to mid-April) in Andorra, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden.
Optional snow tires (but still strongly recommended in winter) are in Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland. It is important to remember that in case of emergency the lack of snow tires affects the allocation of liability for damage: drivers using summer tires can be found responsible for an accident, if the use of winter tires would avoid it. So it is better not to tempt fate, especially in mountainous regions.
Spiked tires are prohibited in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Montenegro.
Snow chains (and in some countries the spade on the board) are required in Albania, Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Croatia and Switzerland in the respective some winter conditions.
Chains are prohibited in Denmark and Netherlands.
Particular cases for each country:
In Austria, spiked tires are allowed only for vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tones, with a speed limit of 100 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h on other roads.
In Belgium, tires with spikes are allowed from November 1 until March 31, with a speed limit of 90 km/h on motorways and 60 km/h on other roads for vehicles with a total weight of 3.5 tons or less. Chains are not mandatory, but can be used in case of snow and ice.
The use of tires with spikes in the UK can be allowed provided that they do not damage the road surface. Chains can only be used on snow or ice covered roads.
In winter, the driver in Hungary should always have chain in the vehicle. If a road sign " chains obligatory" is set on the border, the vehicle can cross the border only if it has chains. When using the chain speed is limited to 50 km/h. If used without the need for chain (on dry road), the driver can be fined.
In Greece tire spikes and chains may be used if the weather conditions require it.
In Germany the driver will be fined in case of winter tires lack. The chains must be used, if this is indicated by a road sign, and the maximum speed shall not exceed 50 km/h.
In Denmark, since November 1 until April 1, tire with spikes are allowed with a speed limit of 110 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h on other roads.
In Italy, spiked tires are permitted with a speed limit of 90 km/h out the city and 50 km/h in the city.
In Ireland, tires with spikes can be used with a speed limit of 112 km/h on motorways and 96 km/h on other roads. You can use chains in the case of inclement weather.
In Spain, winter tires and chains are mandatory only if the corresponding traffic sign. Spiked tires may be used only from November 15 to March 31 on snow-covered or icy roads.
Winter tires are obligatory in Latvia from December 1 to March 1, and spiked - from 1 October to 1 May.
In Lithuania, the use of winter tires is obligatory from 10 November to 31 March, and the spikes are allowed from November 1 to April 9.
Spiked tires can be used in Luxembourg with a speed limit from 1 December to 31 March. Chains can only be used on snow or ice covered roads.
In Macedonia, the chain should be on board of vehicle during the period from 15 October to 15 March. In case of heavy snow the drive axle of the vehicle must be equipped with chains.
In Norway, the use of spiked tires and chains is prohibited between the first Monday after Easter until October 31, if it isn’t required weather conditions.
In Poland, Portugal and Slovakia, chains are not mandatory, except in cases where this is indicated by a road sign. In this case, at least a driving axle must be equipped with chain.
In Romania, chains are not mandatory, but under certain weather conditions may be declared essential.
In Serbia and Montenegro, winter tires should have a profile of at least 4 mm.
In Finland the tires with spikes are allowed with speed limit of 100 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h h on other roads from 1 November until 31 March. Chains on the board are not required.
In France, the cars can have spiked tires (from early November to late March, with speed limit in the cities50 km/h and outside the cities - 90 km/h). In case of spiked tires a special window sticker should be placed. In some cases, chains are required (on some mountain passes and roads marked with special sign).
In winter, the Croatian vehicle must be equipped with at least two winter tires on the driving axle or summer tires with chains.
In the Czech Republic the use of winter tires may be mandatory in case of appropriate road sign by the roadside in the period from 1 November until 1 April. Chains are required with the appropriate road sign.
In Sweden, the use of spiked tires is allowed from 1 October until 30 April. The use of chains is allowed.
In Switzerland, the spikedtires and chains is at the discretion of the driver, however, on some roads it may be required with a speed limit of 50 km/h in the city and 80 km/h out. On most highways spikes are prohibited.
In Estonia, the spikes are allowed from October 15 to March 31, and depending on the weather situation period can be extended - from 1 October to 30 April.
According to the materials of delfi.ee and road services websites of the European countries
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