Planning a winter street journey to France with a automobile, motorhome, campervan or caravan? Involved in regards to the French winter tyre legislation and if you happen to comply? Right here’s all the pieces you want to know.
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The France winter obligatory tools legislation (typically name the French tyre legislation)
Since 01 November 2021, it has been a authorized requirement in lots of areas in France to both:
- have correct winter tyres fitted to your car or
- to hold and put on snow chains or snow socks the place directed.
The dates for this are between 01 November and 31 March annually, no matter climate circumstances.
Nevertheless, it’s a Mountain Legislation (Loi Montagn) and solely applies in 48 departments positioned in or close to the French mountains (Alps, Massif Central, Massif Jurassien, Pyrenees, Massif Vosges)- so if you happen to’re staying within the north of France in locations like Brittany or Bordeaux, you don’t want to fret about complying with the legislation, because it doesn’t have an effect on these areas.
You could find a map under which reveals the areas.
What’s the level of the French winter tyre legislation?
The French wished to “scale back street congestion in mountainous areas and enhance street security” when driving on snowy or icy roads.
Annually, unequipped autos block roads and trigger accidents on their winter street journeys they usually wish to scale back these.
Earlier than 01 November 2021, you solely wanted winter tyres/ chains when roads marked « B26 obligatory particular tools » had been truly lined with snow.
Now, you’ll want tyres fitted or to hold chains/ socks if you happen to’re winter motorhoming and planning to drive down an affected street, no matter present climate circumstances.
The place are the affected areas?
The affected departments embrace:
Ain, Allier, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Ardèche, Ariège, Aude, Aveyron, Cantal, Corrèze, Côte-d’Or, Creuse, Doubs, Drôme, Gard, Haute-Garonne, Hérault, l’Isère, Jura, Loire, Haute-Loire, Lot, Lozère, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Moselle, la Nièvre, Puy-de-Dôme, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Pyrénées-Orientales, Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Rhône, Haute-Saône, Saône-et-Loire, la Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Var, Vaucluse, Haute-Vienne, Vosges, l’Yonne, and Territoire de Belfort.
Nevertheless, it’s doesn’t essentially imply each street in each division is covered- the native council and prefecture decide which roads and areas are affected.
This map is taken from the French Connexion web site and reveals all of the departments the place at the least one street is included within the legislation.
How have you learnt which roads are affected in France?
Indicators will inform you once you’re about to enter a winter obligatory tools space. The dates which you need to adjust to are 01 November and 31 March every year- you’ll be able to ignore the indicators at different instances.
One signal reveals you the place the obligatory space begins, and one the place it finishes:
What do you want to adjust to the France winter legislation?
If driving or motorhoming in France one on of the obligatory roads in one of many affected areas between 01 November and 31 March annually, these are the foundations you need to adjust to:
- all 4+ wheeled autos and not using a trailer will need to have winter or 4-season tyres fitted and/or have non-slip snow chains or ‘socks’ mounted on the car (or at minimal current within the car)
- Heavy autos and not using a trailer can select between winter tyres or chains.
- If in case you have a trailer, you need to have winter tyres fitted AND snow chains fitted on two driving wheels
Winter Tyres France- what’s wanted?
Winter tyres have particular markings on them.
Till November 1, 2024, tyres solely marked “M + S” shall be tolerated.
On and after 01 November 2024, tyres will should be marked with “3PMSF” (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) and one of many “ M+” markings. S ” , “ MS ” or “ M&S ”. The acquisition and use of different “snow tyres” will stay potential, however on this case, customers may also should have chains to drive from 1 November to 31 March within the areas involved by the measure.
Winter tyres have to be mounted on at the least two steered wheels and at the least two driving wheels. If the car has a number of steered axles, these are the steered wheels of the principle steering system
4-season/ all season tyres are legitimate so long as they’re stamped “3PMSF” (or at the least “M + S” till November 2024)
Learn the official wording right here.
In the event you don’t have winter tyres fitted, you need to:
- carry snow chains or socks for at the least two driving wheels – keep in mind, you want to get snow chains which might be proper to your tyres/wheels. Not all snow chains are the identical dimension!
OR
If you’re a heavy car or have a trailer
Heavy autos with out trailers (I’d counsel a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes counts as a heavy car) can select between chains or winter tyres.
Heavy items autos with trailers shall be required to hold snow chains for at the least two driving wheels, even when they’re outfitted with winter tyres.
RELATED POST: The right way to plan a winter motorhome journey & dwell in a van throughout winter
Are snow socks allowed in France?
Snow socks are undeniably cheaper, simpler to suit and use, to not point out higher to your motorhome payload! And sure, they’re allowed below the French winter legislation.
Nevertheless, they aren’t as sturdy as chains and are designed for brief journeys, not numerous journey in snow, so if you happen to’re planning on doing an extended journey or a number of quick ones, get chains.
No matter you select, be sure to follow becoming them in advance- we by chance order the incorrect dimension chains and didn’t realise till we had been within the mountains. Fortunately, it was all fantastic however may have been an enormous mistake.
Does the legislation apply to bikes?
The legislation solely applies to 4 wheeled autos, so it appears bikes are exempt (however, truthfully, do you wish to experience a bike in snowy circumstances with out correct tyres??!)
Is it legislation to have winter tyres in France?
In a phrase, no. In the event you carry chains or snow socks, you’re lined by way of the legislation. However if you happen to’re planning to take a motorhome snowboarding or journey into mountainous areas throughout winter, I like to recommend you get winter or on the very least all-season tyres fitted and carry chains or socks as well as.
Higher protected than sorry!
What if I’m not outfitted correctly?
If you’re wintering down in Spain or ‘popping by the Alps’ and drive by an space the place winter tyres or snow chains are obligatory with out complying with the above, chances are you’ll be stopped by the authorities and fined €135. You might also not be capable of proceed your journey and the car immobilised.
B26 visitors signal
The B26 visitors signal (the one exhibiting snow chains) will proceed to imply that you need to WEAR (not simply carry) chains on these roads when snow is on the bottom, even outdoors the winter interval. These are clearly marked on the roads and there shall be an space of chainage so that you can pull in and match chains if wanted.
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