France Winter Tyre Rules

[Verteuil Man]

Extract from Connexion​

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Winter tyre rules enforced​

On November 1, people driving without winter tyres or chains in mountainous areas where they are required will risk a fine of €135.


The Loi Montagne applies to 48 French departments, which can choose to implement the rules across their whole area, only in certain communes or not at all.

Cars, vans, buses and lorries are all concerned, with the only exception being cars fitted with studded tyres.


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.

If you buy winter tyres, they should be marked with ‘M+S’, ‘M.S’, ‘M&S’ or ‘3PMSF’

Winter tyre laws came into effect last year, but drivers were given a grace period, meaning that penalties will only be enforceable this winter.

The requirement will remain in place every year between November 1 and March 31, regardless of weather conditions.

The 48 departments in which winter tyre rules can be imposed are: 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, 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, Territoire de Belfort, Corse du Sud and Haute-Corse.

Drivers will be notified that they are entering a winter tyre zone by road signs.

 

[2GB Racing]

We saw the road signs in the required areas we passed through the other week, no excuse for not seeing the signs large and with the dates the law requires etc.

 

[InvictaMoto]

Extract from Connexion​

​

​

Winter tyre rules enforced​

On November 1, people driving without winter tyres or chains in mountainous areas where they are required will risk a fine of €135.

<snip>

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.

<snip>

The requirement will remain in place every year between November 1 and March 31, regardless of weather conditions.

The 48 departments in which winter tyre rules can be imposed are: 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, 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, Territoire de Belfort, Corse du Sud and Haute-Corse.

Drivers will be notified that they are entering a winter tyre zone by road signs.

I have a pair of Husky tyre socks. Never used them and they are in the locker under the seat in the MoHo. Reading the above I guess my butt as well as the tyres is covered. They seem very easy to fit. Fingers crossed as usual in France.

 

[Verteuil Man]

Just a question on the tyres/chains. Are they required on the autoroutes or just the local roads?

 

[Wanders from Glos]

I have a pair of Husky tyre socks. Never used them and they are in the locker under the seat in the MoHo. Reading the above I guess my butt as well as the tyres is covered. They seem very easy to fit. Fingers crossed as usual in France.

Interesting I’ll look into those, I wonder if they are as good as chains which are a real faff to fit in my experience.

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[InvictaMoto]

Interesting I’ll look into those, I wonder if they are as good as chains which are a real faff to fit in my experience.

To be honest. Took them out of the bag. Put them back. ,,,

 

[Two on Tour]

Interesting I’ll look into those, I wonder if they are as good as chains which are a real faff to fit in my experience.

I looked into some reviews of snow socks on YouTube as an alternative to chains, but it seems that if snow socks are used on anything but full snow or ice, then the road surface tears them to shreds in no time.

 

[Googlebot]

I looked into some reviews of snow socks on YouTube as an alternative to chains, but it seems that if snow socks are used on anything but full snow or ice, then the road surface tears them to shreds in no time.

This is correct, we use them exclusively at work on the Ambulances. They work really well, but drive any distance on tarmac and they won’t last long at all. It does clearly say you shouldn’t do that mind.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Remember chains are a solution for extreme conditions and at low speed only!
If you are in those conditions get some winter tyres fitted! Your life and others could depend on it.

 

[Ridgeway]

Just a question on the tyres/chains. Are they required on the autoroutes or just the local roads?

There’s no autoroutes that go through mountain areas so no in that case, plus 120kmh with chains = destroyed tyres very quickly (they are usually rated to 50kmh). Winter tyres are fine though at those speeds.

And it’s that time of year again, time to swap them over

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[Googlebot]

I got Michelin Cross Climates fitted as we were going to France for a ski holiday, then Covid came and we couldn’t go.


It’s a good job they work all year round too.

 

[Dart]

We haven't used snow socks but we have used chains on many occasions and you wouldn't want to drive far on tarmac with them on as you have to progress at snails pace, making a hell of a racket and probably not doing the road and your tyres a lot of good.

 

[Emmit]

Is there a Funster out there who can give me a definitive answer, please.

I'm looking for a set of snow chains that will fit my 225 x 75 x 16 Continentals.

I see this set, that set and every other set but I have yet to find one that fits the above tyre.

Is there a Funster out there that has in their garage a set that can give me the Exact size
I need to buy/fit.

I would not be forward in getting them out of the box/bag in snow to find out that I have
the wrong set.

TYIA

 

[tacr2man]

Is there a Funster out there who can give me a definitive answer, please.

I'm looking for a set of snow chains that will fit my 225 x 75 x 16 Continentals.

I see this set, that set and every other set but I have yet to find one that fits the above tyre.

Is there a Funster out there that has in their garage a set that can give me the Exact size
I need to buy/fit.

I would not be forward in getting them out of the box/bag in snow to find out that I have
the wrong set.

TYIA

If you have upsized your tyres you also need to be careful that the chains will still have needed clearances .
standard car snow chains have a 9mm protrusion and so there needs to be a gap of about 15mm between the inner edge of the tyre and any obstructions (to allow for movement of the chain). For 16mm chains you need at least 21mm of clearance.

 

[elamessa]

FYI HERE is the french website that covers winter tyres. It only covers mountain regions (Alps, Corsica, Massif central, Jura mountains, Pyrenees, Vosges) and 34 departments.

HTH

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[Ditcha]

Winter tyre rules enforced​

If you buy winter tyres, they should be marked with ‘M+S’, ‘M.S’, ‘M&S’ or ‘3PMSF’

Thought only '3PMSF' was acceptable my Michelin Agilis are marked M+S so should be fine

 

[Emmit]

If you have upsized your tyres you also need to be careful that the chains will still have needed clearances .
standard car snow chains have a 9mm protrusion and so there needs to be a gap of about 15mm between the inner edge of the tyre and any obstructions (to allow for movement of the chain). For 16mm chains you need at least 21mm of clearance.

Thank you.
I have not upscale my tyres. There should be sufficient room.

 

[BILL 875]

As far as I am aware M&S tyres are not winter tyres only 3 peak markings are winter tyres and the A 75 autoroute requires 3 peaks. Bill

 

[Ditcha]

As far as I am aware M&S tyres are not winter tyres only 3 peak markings are winter tyres and the A 75 autoroute requires 3 peaks. Bill

I thought the same but you have until 01/11/24 to comply see attached

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

To my mind, people driving with regular tyres , but with snow chains as a back up are taking a big risk, regardless of what the rules say.
If you are in a region that might mean you end up putting chains on, you should have winter tyres on in the first place.

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[TeamBandS]

I have fitted Mich Agrils Crossclimate tyres which are marked M + S and have the mountain symbol with the snow flake in the middle as shown in the post from Ditcha above.. Are these classified as winter tyres or only legal until 2024?

Thanks

 

[Ditcha]

I have fitted Mich Agrils Crossclimate tyres which are marked M + S and have the mountain symbol with the snow flake in the middle as shown in the post from Ditcha above.. Are these classified as winter tyres or only legal until 2024?

Thanks

Think yours are the Bee knees you are fine after 2024

 

[2GB Racing]

I fitted these bad boys just done a decent alpine road trip and well pleased with grip, comfort and best off all super quite on cruise control at speed limit on motorways.

 

[Ditcha]

I fitted these bad boys just done a decent alpine road trip and well pleased with grip, comfort and best off all super quite on cruise control at speed limit on motorways.

Will be fitting cross climates next on this van had them on my previous van and they were excellent

 

[Ridgeway]

To my mind, people driving with regular tyres , but with snow chains as a back up are taking a big risk, regardless of what the rules say.
If you are in a region that might mean you end up putting chains on, you should have winter tyres on in the first place.

Couldn’t agree more.

Not used chains here in almost 20yrs, yet Winter tyres are just the basic to get around.

We’ve gone back to winters on both cars as they came with them but have been running 4 season for the last 10yrs, winters are that bit better again, especially noticable in very cold times due to the softer compound.

But still a PIA having to get both cars changed in the next few weeks.

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[Greasy Chap Butty]

Couldn’t agree more.

Not used chains here in almost 20yrs, yet Winter tyres are just the basic to get around.

We’ve gone back to winters on both cars as they came with them but have been running 4 season for the last 10yrs, winters are that bit better again, especially noticable in very cold times due to the softer compound.

But still a PIA having to get both cars changed in the next few weeks.

Do you change tyres or have the winters on winter wheels?

 

[Ridgeway]

Do you change tyres or have the winters on winter wheels?

Just change tyres. It would nice to have wheel sets at home so i could do it myself but the cost of another set of wheels is too high to justify. And it’s fast and efficient to change tyres even if there‘s some cost to do it.

 

[tacr2man]

You can usually find basic steel rims from the van versions of whatever platform you run are available from breakers quite cheap especially as you dont want nice alloys in salty winter conditions

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

You can usually find basic steel rims from the van versions of whatever platform you run are available from breakers quite cheap especially as you dont want nice alloys in salty winter conditions

Even new steels pay for themselves in a few tyre swaps.
I did that albeit on the car, and had a slightly cheaper size profile, which was better for winter anyway.

 

[Emmit]

Help please!

Could I ask any Funster out there that has set of branded chains that fit wheels 225 x 75 x 16 to provide me with the details of the size you bought.
I have looked and better looked for a set that would fit our sized tyres with no success.

Thank you in advance.

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