European regulations for winter equipment on trucks and buses Winter 2015/2016

Transcription

1 European regulations for Country Tire regulations Snow chain regulations Further information Albania Snow chains for drive axle must be carried in the vehicle. Use according to traffic signs and road Austria Winter tires compulsory from November 1 to April 15. Risk of driving ban and heavy fines if you do not comply (35 up to 5,000 ). Trucks > 3.5t GVW must be equipped with M+S tires on at least one drive axle with a min. tread depth of 6mm (bias) and 5mm (radial). Winter tires are compulsory for buses (categories M2, M3) from November 1 to March 15. Snow chains must be carried in vehicle for at least two drive axle tires from November 1 to April 15. Exceptions for public service buses apply. Use on roads covered Studded tires are prohibited for Belgium Symmetric fitting compulsory for M+S and winter tires. with snow and/or ice. BosniaHerzegovina Winter tires compulsory from November 15 to April 15. M+S tires are compulsory on the drive axle of vehicles > 3.5t GVW. November 15 to April 15. Use on roads covered Fitting: at least 1 pair on drive axle. Snow shovel must be carried in vehicle. Belarus Studded tires allowed. Bulgaria November 1 to March 31. Usage is compulsory on mountain passes when indicated by traffic signs. Without adequate winter equipment the entry into the country may be refused or a driving ban may be issued. Croatia In case of wintery road conditions M+S tires are compulsory. Snow chains required for drive axle in certain Snow chains compulsory in Lika/Gorski Kotar region. Commercially used vehicles must carry a snow shovel. Czech Republic Winter tires compulsory from November 1 to March 31 depending on road conditions in winter. or in case of sign winter kit. M+S tires are compulsory on the drive axle of vehicles > 3.5t GVW with min. 6mm tread depth. Differing traffic signs possible. Snow chains are compulsory if indicated by traffic signs on at least 2 drive wheels of vehicles with 3 and more axles.

2 Denmark Snow chains allowed from November 1 to April 15. Studded tires allowed from November 1 to April 15. Studded tires should be mounted on all tires during this period. Estonia Winter tires compulsory (radial tires with min. 3mm tread depth) from December 1 to March 1 (also from October to April depending on weather conditions). Studded tires are prohibited for Finland Vehicles > 3.5t GVW with min. 1.6mm tread depth. Snow chains only allowed on roads covered Studded tires allowed from November 1 to first Monday after Easter. Depending on the weather conditions this period may be extended. Max. speed 80km/h for vehicles > 3.5t GVW. Allowed are: Average saliency max. 1.5mm and max. 50 studs per meter circumference in tires produced after July 1, France Exceptions are indicated by traffic signs. Use of snow chains when indicated by traffic signs. Vehicles < 3.5t GVW: Studded tires allowed from first Saturday before November 11 to last Sunday of March, max. speed 90km/h. Vehicles with studded tires have to be labeled with a sticker. Studded tires are prohibited for Germany Situational winter equipment requirement: Vehicles < 3.5t GVW must be equipped with winter/m+s tires on all wheels. Vehicles > 3.5t GVW must be equipped with winter/m+s tires on the drive axles. Time period not specified. Use of snow chains when indicated by traffic signs. Exception: Route via Kleines Deutsches Eck. 60 fine for unsuitable tires, 80 fine for causing obstruction of traffic due to unsuitable tires, 100 fine for causing hazardous situation due to unsuitable tires, 120 fine for causing an accident due to unsuitable tires. Plus 1 point each. (Flensburg Point System) Great Britain Studded tires allowed as long as the street surface doesn t get damaged. Otherwise a regress is possible. Hungary The application and entrainment of snow chains may be compulsory due to special weather conditions (max speed 50km/h). In wintry conditions the entry may be rejected for foreign vehicles if no snow chains are carried on board. Ireland Snow chains only allowed when roads covered Studded tires are allowed, max. speed 96/112 km/h (national road/motorway). Italy An anti-skid device (e.g. snow chains) must be carried in vehicle. Winter regulation prot. RU/1580 applies only to the following vehicle categories: M1, N1 and O1. Kosovo Snow chains for drive axle must be carried in the vehicle. Use according to traffic signs and Buses and trucks must carry a snow shovel.

3 Latvia Winter tires (M+S) compulsory for vehicles < 3.5t GVW from December 1 to March 1. Min. 3mm tread depth. Studded tires allowed between October 1 and April 30 for Liechtenstein However, there are liability issues if non-adequate tires are used. Vehicle equipment must match weather Snow chains allowed. Not necessary in valleys. In the mountains, traffic signs indicate if snow chains are compulsory. Vehicles > 7.5t GVW: Studded tires allowed from November 1 to April 30, max. speed 80km/h. All tires should be equipped with studded tires. Vehicles with studded tires have to be labeled with a sticker. Lithuania Winter tires compulsory for vehicles < 3.5t GVW from November 1 and April 1. Studded tires allowed between November 1 and April 1. Luxembourg All drive-axles on trucks and buses need to be equipped with winter tires (M+S suffices) during winter conditions (snow, ice, glazed frost). Macedonia Winter tires compulsory on drive axle from November 15 to March 15. Min. 5mm tread depth. October 15 to March 15 if vehicle has only standard tires fitted. Coaches and heavy trucks must carry snow shovels. Studded tires prohibited. Montenegro Tires marked with M+S symbol or winter winter tires compulsory from November to April on specific roads, specified by Ministery of Police. Netherlands Snow chains not allowed on public roads. Norway Vehicles > 3.5t GVW min. 5mm tread depth compulsory between November 1 and including first Monday after Easter (South Norway) and between October 16 and including April 30 (North Norway). Mandatory use of winter tires on all axle positions from from November 15 to March 31. Please find a list with approved winter tires on Vehicles > 3.5t GVW are mandatory to carry snow chains in the period when it is legal to use studs. A truck with trailer must bring 7 chains. Studded tires (protrusion average 1.7mm) allowed from November 1 to the first Sunday after Easter. In 'Nordland, Troms and Finnmark from October 16 to April 30. Trucks and trailers: studded tires on the same axle. If twinmounted one tire is sufficient. In Trondheim and Oslo a fee is charged for the usage of studded tires: daily tickets may be acquired at vending machines along the arterial roads or by telephone or SMS (send from a Norwegian, Swedish or Danish telephone number). Monthly and annual tickets for Trondheim may be acquired at Trondheim City Parking Office in Erling, Skakkes Gate 40, 7012 Trondheim. Daily tickets cost about 3.90 Euro, monthly tickets about 52 Euro und annual tickets about 155 Euro (Costs double for vehicles > 3.5t GVW). A violation is fined with 97 Euro. Poland Adequate traffic signs on roads where snow chains are compulsory.

4 Portugal Snow chains temporarily compulsory when indicated by traffic signs (only happens in highest areas). Romania In case of wintry road conditions M+S or winter tires are compulsory for the drive axle of all vehicles > 3.5t GVW and vehicles transporting people (with more than 9 seats). Vehicles > 3.5t GVW have to be equipped with snow chains which need to be mounted when indicated by respective traffic signs. Shovel and sand required for Studded tires prohibited. Russia New Technical Regulation expected. In months December, January, February passenger, light truck, trucks and buses must be equipped on all axles with tires marked M+S or with the 3PMSF-Symbol (Three Peak Mountain Snowflake-Symbol). Minimum tread depth 4mm. Snow chains are recommended but not compulsory. Use of studded tires is forbidden in the summer months (June, July, August). Serbia No general winter tire regulations for trucks and buses. Snow chains for drive axle must be carried in the vehicle. Buses and trucks must carry a snow shovel. Slovakia Winter/M+S tires compulsory for trucks > 3.5t GVW from November 15 and March 31 on drive axle (min. 3mm tread depth). Snow chains must be carried in vehicle. Use according to traffic signs and Slovenia Winter tires compulsory at least on the drive axle (min. 6mm tread depth) of vehicles > 3.5t GVW from November 15 to March 15. Snow chains must be carried in vehicles > 3.5t GVW if no winter tires are fitted. Spain Winter/M+S tires compulsory when indicated by traffic signs or the authorities. Snow chains allowed when indicated by traffic signs or the authorities. Snow chains only permitted on roads covered with snow and ice. Usage of studded tires with up to 2mm studs are allowed on snow-covered roads. Sweden In winter conditions, minimum tread depth is 5mm on all tires except trailer tires. M+S marked winter tires are compulsory on the drive axle for vehicles > 3.5t GVW from December 1 to March 31. For a list of approved winter tires for the drive axle please visit Snow chains recommended to be carried in the vehicle. Studded tires are allowed from October 1 to April 15. Depending on the weather conditions this period may be extended. Maximum of 50 studs per meter circumference in tires produced after July 1, Please consider exceptions concerning specific roads. Switzerland No general winter tire regulations, regional regulations are possible in wintery road conditions (e.g. alpine pass-roads). Min tread depth for winter tires 1.6mm. In case of an accident with standard tires in wintry conditions, be aware of liability issues. If authorities announce snow chain obligation, only snow chains are permitted (four-wheel drive vehicles may be excluded). Use of snow chains in case of respective road signs and Studded tires are permitted for vehicles < 3.5t GVW between November 1 and April 30 or on snowcovered roads. Max. speed 80km/h. Studded tires have to be labled with a sticker 80km/h.

5 Turkey From December 1 to April 1 it is compulsory for commercial vehicles to use winter tires for intercity usages. In cities, local authorities will define the time period for each city individually. All types of trucks, tractors and buses have to be equipped with tires marked with the M+S, the M+S and 3PMSF symbol or with the 3PMSF symbol on the drive axles. All types of vans, light trucks, pickups and passenger cars that are used for commercial purposes (Taxi, etc.) have to be equipped with tires marked with the M+S, the M+S and 3PMSF symbol or with the 3PMSF symbol on all axles. Snow chains recommended to be carried in the vehicle and to be used on roads covered Tow rope and chock should be carried in the vehicle. Studded tires also can be used as a winter tire. When using retreaded tires, the tread pattern has to be a winter tire pattern. Min. tread depth of commercial vehicle tires is 4mm. Ukraine Studded tires are allowed. Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH Büttnerstrasse Hannover Germany We are currently not aware of general winter tire rules / snow chain regulations for trucks in the following countries: Cyprus, Greece and Malta. Please consult the traffic regulations in the respective countries for special snow chain and studded tire rules. Despite careful research, we cannot guarantee that the information is correct and complete. For optimum traction and high driving safety in colder weather Continental recommends fitting winter tires on all axles of your trucks and buses. The development of the Continental Scandinavia winter tires is based on many years of experience and practical knowledge gained from using the tires in Scandinavian countries. Winter tires from Continental are marked with the snowflake symbol on the tire wall. They easily outperform M+S tires and they significantly exceed the requirements of the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol (3PMSF).