Mandatory winter equipment
Following the implementing decree n°2020-1264 published in the Official Journal of October 16, 2020, the prefects of the 48 "mountain" departments have the power to make it mandatory to equip vehicles with winter tires, chains or snow socks.
Indeed, in order to limit traffic congestion on roads in mountainous regions and also to improve road safety, it will be necessary to equip your car with winter tires or snow chains during the winter season 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).
- tolerated M+S (Mud&Snow) tires will be until November 1, 2024.
- mandatory 3PMSF (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) tires will be from November 1, 2024 (end of transition 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!
Indeed, 48 French departments will have to implement 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 motorhomes (M1 and N1):
Obligation to fit 4 winter tires OR to have removable anti-slip devices (chains/socks) allowing to equip 2 drive wheels. - 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 drive wheels OR to have chains to equip 2 drive wheels. - For heavy goods vehicles with trailer or semi-trailer (N2 & N3):
Obligation to have chains allowing to equip at least 2 drive wheels.
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 passenger cars, vans and motorhomes:
We recommend fitting 3PMSF approved all-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
