Planning a winter highway journey to France with a automobile, motorhome, campervan or caravan? Involved in regards to the French winter tyre regulation and in case you comply? Right here’s the whole lot it is advisable know.
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The France winter obligatory tools regulation (usually name the French tyre regulation)
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 automobile 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 every year, 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 in case you’re staying within the north of France in locations like Brittany or Bordeaux, you don’t want to fret about complying with the regulation, because it doesn’t have an effect on these areas.
Yow will discover a map beneath which exhibits the areas.
What’s the level of the French winter tyre regulation?
The French wished to “scale back highway congestion in mountainous areas and enhance highway security” when driving on snowy or icy roads.
Every year, unequipped autos block roads and trigger accidents on their winter highway 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 » have been really coated with snow.
Now, you’ll want tyres fitted or to hold chains/ socks in case you’re winter motorhoming and planning to drive down an affected highway, no matter present climate circumstances.
The place are the affected areas?
The affected departments embody:
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 highway 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 exhibits all of the departments the place at the very least one highway is included within the regulation.
How are you aware which roads are affected in France?
Indicators will let you know once you’re about to enter a winter obligatory tools space. The dates which you have to adjust to are 01 November and 31 March every year- you possibly can ignore the indicators at different occasions.
One signal exhibits you the place the obligatory space begins, and one the place it finishes:
What do it is advisable adjust to the France winter regulation?
If driving or motorhoming in France one on of the obligatory roads in one of many affected areas between 01 November and 31 March every year, these are the principles you have to adjust to:
- all 4+ wheeled autos with no trailer should have winter or 4-season tyres fitted and/or have non-slip snow chains or ‘socks’ mounted on the automobile (or at minimal current within the automobile)
- Heavy autos with no trailer can select between winter tyres or chains.
- When you have a trailer, you have 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” can be tolerated.
On and after 01 November 2024, tyres will have to 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 attainable, however on this case, customers may even should have chains to drive from 1 November to 31 March within the areas involved by the measure.
Winter tyres should be mounted on at the very least two steered wheels and at the very least two driving wheels. If the automobile has a number of steered axles, these are the steered wheels of the primary steering system
4-season/ all season tyres are legitimate so long as they’re stamped “3PMSF” (or at the very least “M + S” till November 2024)
Learn the official wording right here.
In case you don’t have winter tyres fitted, you have to:
- carry snow chains or socks for at the very least two driving wheels – bear in mind, it is advisable get snow chains which might be proper on your tyres/wheels. Not all snow chains are the identical dimension!
OR
In case you are a heavy automobile or have a trailer
Heavy autos with out trailers (I might counsel a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes counts as a heavy automobile) can select between chains or winter tyres.
Heavy items autos with trailers can be required to hold snow chains for at the very least two driving wheels, even when they’re outfitted with winter tyres.
RELATED POST: Find out how 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 on your motorhome payload! And sure, they’re allowed beneath the French winter regulation.
Nevertheless, they aren’t as sturdy as chains and are designed for brief journeys, not plenty of journey in snow, so in case you’re planning on doing a protracted journey or a number of brief ones, get chains.
No matter you select, be sure to apply becoming them in advance- we unintentionally order the fallacious dimension chains and didn’t realise till we have been within the mountains. Fortunately, it was all tremendous however might have been a giant mistake.
Does the regulation apply to bikes?
The regulation solely applies to 4 wheeled autos, so it appears bikes are exempt (however, truthfully, do you wish to experience a motorbike in snowy circumstances with out correct tyres??!)
Is it regulation to have winter tyres in France?
In a phrase, no. In case you carry chains or snow socks, you’re coated by way of the regulation. However in case you’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?
In case you are wintering down in Spain or ‘popping by way of the Alps’ and drive by way of an space the place winter tyres or snow chains are obligatory with out complying with the above, it’s possible you’ll be stopped by the authorities and fined €135. You might also not have the ability to proceed your journey and the automobile immobilised.
B26 site visitors signal
The B26 site visitors signal (the one exhibiting snow chains) will proceed to imply that you have 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 can be an space of chainage so that you can pull in and match chains if wanted.
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