These rules apply to 48 French departments located in mountainous regions such as the Alps, the Massif Central and the Pyrenees. At the entrance (panel B58) and exit (panel B59) of each winter tyre area, signs are affixed which clearly indicate the need for winter tyres and/or snow chains. On November 1, 2021, a new law came into force in France that requires either the use of winter tires or the wear of snow chains when prescribed. So if you only visit the mountains occasionally, you don`t need to buy four new tires as long as you have chains. Heavy vehicles without a trailer (I would say that a motorhome over 3.5 tons is considered a heavy vehicle) can choose between chains or winter tires. Winter is coming, which means it`s time to dig up your studded tires and chains. Here is an overview of the rules for different tires in France. Coaches, buses and trucks without trailers must also install winter tires or chains, while trucks with trailers must have chains on at least two of their driving wheels, even if they are also equipped with winter tires. Prior to 1 November 2021, winter tyres/chains were only needed if roads marked with “mandatory special equipment B26” were effectively covered with snow. Now you`ll need tires or chains if you plan to drive an affected road, regardless of the current weather conditions. All vehicles in mountainous areas of France must now be equipped with winter tyres or transport chains.

From 1. November, vehicles in 48 departments of mountainous regions must be equipped with winter tires or snow chains Photo: LeManna / Shutterstock The B26 road sign (which shows snow chains) also means that you must wear chains on these roads (not just wear them) when there is snow on the ground, even outside of winter. These are clearly marked on the roads and there will be an area of the chains where you can retract and mount chains if necessary. From this year, all drivers crossing certain areas of 48 French departments will be required to equip their vehicles with winter tires or snow chains in accordance with a law that will come into force on November 1. Work on the regulations took more than five years. Until now, it was only mandatory to use snow chains on roads in France marked with a traffic sign, and only if they were covered with snow. In many departments, this will not be a completely new requirement, as under previous legislation, traffic authorities had the right to introduce the sign “B26 mandatory special equipment” into the snow when studded tires or chains became mandatory. If you cross an area where winter tires or snow chains are mandatory and are stopped by the authorities, you will not be able to continue your journey and you will be liable to a fine of € 135. The French want to “reduce congestion in mountain areas and improve road safety” when driving on snowy or icy roads. The requirement applies not only to residents, but also to any vehicle entering one of the designated areas.

– The penalty for non-compliance is a fine of € 135 and the possible downgrading of the vehicle and undoubtedly insurance claims without the legal tires used on the vehicle may be invalid. Winter chains or tires will be mandatory in mountain areas from November 1, 2021, reports the French road safety authority. The obligation on winter tyres does not apply to vehicles equipped with studded tyres. Winter tires or snow chains will be mandatory from this winter for people who drive in certain areas of 48 different French departments. Photo: Pics-xl / Shutterstock In snowy conditions, a car equipped with winter tires gains about 30 meters of braking at a speed of 50 km/h at a temperature of -5°C. Conversely, rising temperatures lead to a deterioration in the braking performance of tires. Trucks with trailers must carry snow chains for at least two-wheel drive, even if they are equipped with winter tires. – The law stipulates that on designated roads, vehicles must be equipped with either 4 x winter tires or at least 2 snow chains or socks that are carried in the vehicle. All light and commercial vehicles, motorhomes, etc. must be respected, and there are stricter requirements for trucks and coaches As of November 1, 2021, 48 departments in or near the French mountains (Alps, Corsica, Massif Central, Jurassic Massif, Pyrenees, Massif des Vosges) now have roads/regions where you have winter tires or must wear snow chains/socks before driving on any of the regulated roads.

regardless of weather conditions. Reader`s question: Where France do you need to equip your car with winter tires this winter? Until that date, snow chains are only mandatory on roads with B26 signs indicating “mandatory special equipment” in snowy weather. However, they are not as sturdy as chains and are designed for short trips, not for many trips in the snow, so if you plan to make a long trip or several short ones, get chains. In addition, trucks equipped with trailers or semi-trailers must be equipped with snow chains with which they can be mounted on at least two-wheel drive, even if they have winter tires. Those who ignore the winter tyre requirement could face a €135 fine and might not be allowed to continue driving their vehicle. In a word, no. If you wear chains or snow socks, you are legally insured. But honestly, if you plan to ski with the RV in the winter or go to mountainous areas, install winter or at least all-season tires and wear chains or socks on top of that. Drivers must use winter tires or chains between November 1 and March 31. The new requirement stems from the 2016 Mountain Law II, which comes into force this year, with the two objectives of improving road safety and reducing traffic jams caused by accidents.

It is valid for the entire winter period every year from November 1st to March 31st. The prefects of 48 departments of the mountain ranges (Alps, Corsica, Massif Central, Massif du Jura, Pyrenees, Massif des Vosges) will soon draw up a list of municipalities where the requirement to equip new vehicles will apply in winter, i.e. from 1 November to 31 March. The objective of the new regulation is to increase road safety by reducing the risks associated with driving on snowy or icy roads. It will also avoid traffic jams in mountainous regions where unequipped vehicles can slide and block lanes, closing entire traffic routes. The installation of winter tires or snow chains will be mandatory for drivers in several mountainous regions of France from 1 November 2021. They are allowed on all roads covered with snow, regardless of the season. Roads marked with B26 signs require the use of chains on at least two wheels of your car. There are exceptions when normal winter tires are allowed on B26 roads, but in these cases the signs explicitly state this. If it`s not indicated, you`d better stick to the chains. From November 1, 2021 to November 31, 2021.

In March 2022, several French departments, including Ain and Haute-Savoie, require cars to be equipped with winter tires or to have snow chains in the trunk. Whatever you choose, be sure to practice customizing them in advance – we accidentally ordered the chains of the wrong size and didn`t notice it until we were in the mountains. Luckily, everything was fine, but it could have been a big mistake. The law only applies to 4-wheeled vehicles, so it seems that motorcycles are exempt (but honestly, you want to ride a motorcycle in snowy conditions without proper tires??!) Vehicles must be equipped with either four winter tyres or at least two snow chains or socks carried in the vehicle. Vehicles equipped with studded tires are excluded and all-season tires are accepted. If you spend the winter in Spain or “drive through the Alps” and cross an area where winter tires or snow chains are mandatory, without complying with the above regulations, you can be arrested by the authorities and fined €135. You may also not be able to continue your journey. In the winter of 2021, new rules were introduced requiring snow chains or winter tires to be fitted to all cars, motorhomes and other vehicles in the mountainous regions of France. The Mining Act, or Mountain Law, applies to 48 different French ministries, and penalties for non-compliance apply. Here`s what you need to know. The rules require all vehicles to have winter or 4-season tires and/or non-slip snow chains or “socks” mounted on the vehicle (or at least present in the vehicle) when driving in the above departments during the winter season. The Mountain Law 2 aims both to improve road safety and to avoid traffic disruptions caused by vehicles that get stuck during periods of snow or ice.