Mandatory winter equipment
Following implementing decree no. 2020-1264 published in the Official Journal of October 16, 2020, the prefects of the 48 “mountain” departments have the power to make it compulsory to equip vehicles with winter tires, chains or socks .
Indeed, in order to limit traffic jams on the roads in mountainous regions but also to improve user safety, you will need to equip your car with winter tires or chains during winter in certain municipalities . Failure to comply with this law may result in significant penalties.
When will this equipment be needed?
The decree will come into force on November 1, 2021 and will be applicable for each winter period (from November 1 to March 31).
- M+S (Mud&Snow) tires will be tolerated until November 1, 2024.
- 3PMSF (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) tires will be compulsory from November 1, 2024 (end of transitional period).
A transition period of 3 years is granted to M+S tires alone, i.e. until November 1, 2024. Beyond that, all vehicles concerned circulating in the municipalities designated by the prefects of the 48 departments must be equipped with 3PMSF tires.
The 3PMSF symbol (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) is easily recognizable: a snowflake surrounded by 3 mountain peaks (and always accompanied by the M+S logo). The 3PMSF marking is issued by a certified laboratory, which guarantees an optimal level of performance and safety on snow.
Where will this equipment be needed?
Nearly one in two departments will be affected!
In fact, 48 French departments will have to apply this new Mountain law. However, the precise list of municipalities concerned will be subject to a prefectural decision.
The departments concerned are:
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, Isère, Jura, Loire , Haute Loire, Lot, Lozère, Meurthe et Moselle, 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, South Corsica and Haute Corse.
The vehicles concerned
The list of vehicles affected by the Mountain Law is as follows:
- For light vehicles, utility vehicles and camper vans (M1 and N1):
Obligation to fit 4 winter tires OR to have removable anti-slip devices (chains/socks) allowing 2 drive wheels to be fitted. - For coaches, buses and heavy goods vehicles without trailers or semi-trailers (M2 & M3 and N2 & N3 without trailers or semi-trailers):
Obligation to fit winter tires on at least 2 steering wheels and 2 driving wheels OR to have chains allowing you to equip 2 driving wheels. - For heavy goods vehicles with a trailer or semi-trailer (N2 & N3):
Obligation to have chains allowing at least 2 drive wheels to be fitted.
The sanction incurred for non-compliance
Failure to comply with this law may result in sanctions: a €135 fine and the risk of immobilization of the vehicle.
Our recommendation
FATEC recommends:
For light vehicles, utility vehicles and campers:
We recommend the installation of 3PMSF approved 4-season tires (Michelin, Goodyear, Continental, Bridgestone, Hankook, Pirelli)
For coaches, buses and heavy goods vehicles with or without a trailer:
We recommend the installation of winter tires
