Residents of mountainous areas must equip themselves with winter tires from November 1

In 34 departments, it is compulsory to equip your vehicle with winter tires or to have snow chains or socks, until March 31.

It’s been mandatory for five years. Motorists who live in certain municipalities of 34 departments located in mountainous areas (Alps, Massif central, Jura, Pyrenees, Vosges) must equip their vehicles with winter tires or have snow chains or socks from Saturday, November 1, until March 31. This obligation was put in place in 2021, with the Mountain law, to avoid accidents or the blocking of certain traffic routes when driving on snowy or icy roads.

The prefects of the 34 departments concerned have established the list of municipalities in which this equipment is compulsory. It can be consulted on the Public Service website. All four-wheeled vehicles are affected: light vehicles, utility vehicles, motorhomes, coaches, buses and heavy goods vehicles. As explained France 3 Grand Est, the law designates the “3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake” as the tires that must be equipped. They are identifiable by the presence of a symbol which represents a mountain with 3 peaks and a snowflake. 4-season tires are also accepted provided they are stamped with the same pictogram.