Recap: France’s new snow tyre law starts today, what you need to know
The Loi Montagne makes it possible for 48 mountainous departments to make snow tyres, chains or ‘socks’ obligatory in certain areas between November 1 and March 31
From today, people driving in certain areas of France’s mountainous departments will be required to fit their vehicles with winter tyres, snow chains or ‘socks’LeManna / Shutterstock
Today marks the first day of France’s new winter tyre requirement, which applies to certain mountainous areas of the country between November 1 and March 31 every year.
The prefectures of 48 departments can now make the use of winter tyres, snow chains or ‘socks’ obligatory on specific zones, demarcated by B58 and B59 signs.
B58 and B59 signs have been put up in the areas concerned Pic: Préfet du Doubs
The requirement is a result of the Loi Montagne, which states that: “The prefects of 48 departments situated in the mountains, whether in the Alps, Corsica, the Massif Central, the Jura, the Pyrenees or the Vosges Massif, must set out a list of the towns in which vehicles should be appropriately equipped for the winter.”
Vehicles such as cars, camper vans and vans can either use four winter tyres or, failing this, carry fabric socks or metal snow chains in their boot.
The snow chains or socks must be suitable for at least two ‘driving’ wheels and the driver must know how to fit them when needed.
People who only occasionally visit the mountains can therefore avoid paying for four new tyres by opting instead for chains.
The winter tyre requirement does not apply to vehicles with studded tyres.
Coaches, buses and HGVs without trailers must also install winter tyres or chains, while HGVs with trailers must have chains on at least two of their driving wheels, even if they are also equipped with winter tyres.
Winter tyres can be identified by a “M+S”, “M.S” or “M&S” marking on the sidewall. The “3PMSF” (Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake) sign is also an industry standard.
Look out for the M+S symbol on your winter tyres Pic: YegoeVdo22 / Shutterstock
However, drivers found to be without the necessary equipment will not be penalised until next year. From November 1, 2022, they could be subject to a €135 fine and prevented from continuing their journey.
The winter tyre requirement can be imposed in the following departments:
Ain
Allier
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Hautes-Alpes
Alpes-Maritimes
Ardèche
Ariège
Aude
Aveyron
Cantal
Côte-d'Or
Creuse
Doubs
Drôme
Eure-et-Loir
Gard
Haute-Garonne
Hérault
Isère
Jura
Loire
Haute-Loire
Lot
Lozère
Meurthe-et-Moselle
Moselle
Nièvre
Puy-de-Dôme
Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Hautes-Pyrénées
Pyrénées-Orientales
Bas-Rhin
Haut-Rhin
Rhône
Haute-Saône
Saône-et-Loire
Savoie
Haute-Savoie
Tarn
Tarn-et-Garonne
Var
Vaucluse
Haute-Vienne
Vosges
Yonne
le Territoire de Belfort
Corse du Sud
Haute-Corse
However, this year only 36 departments have decided to introduce the obligation on some or all roads.
If you live in a department where winter tyres will be mandatory, you can find out more about the areas affected on the website of your local prefecture.
The prefectures of Corrèze, Côte d’Or, Creuse, Gard, Hérault, Lot, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Nièvre, Saône-et-Loire, Tarn-et-Garonne, Haute-Vienne and Yonne have decided not to enforce the measure anywhere in the department this year.
