Winter tires in Luxembourg, France, Belgium and Germany: what are the rules in 2022?
Are winter tires compulsory in Luxembourg? What are the rules to be observed in Luxembourg and neighboring countries. Are all-season tires accepted?
Even if Luxembourg, France, Belgium and Germany are border countries and subject to the same climate, the regulations vary from one country to another.
In Luxembourg, are winter tires compulsory?
The answer is yes ! As soon as the weather conditions deteriorate, you must equip your vehicle with winter tyres. There is no specific date. It’s up to you to look at the state of the road and take action.
In fact, winter tires become mandatory in the event of ice, packed or melting snow, patches of ice or even frost.
Remember a simple rule to avoid dangerous situations: “When the Temperature drop below 7°C, it’s time to raise your Winter tires !”.
Which vehicles are covered by winter equipment in Luxembourg?
All vehicles that set foot on Luxembourg soilwhether they are to residents, cross-border workers, foreigners or in transit, must be equipped with winter tires. Only parked vehicles are not affected.
Exceptions : Mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles, light quadricycles, quadricycles, tractors, self-propelled machines do not have to be equipped with winter tires in winter conditions. Even chosen for special vehicles, other than motor homes, i.e. vehicles of the army, the Grand Ducal police, the Customs and Excise Administration, the Services Administration emergency services as well as municipal fire and rescue services.
If there is snow on the sidewalk but not on the road, should snow tires be fitted in Luxembourg?
No. The rule only applies in relation to the state of the roadway. If the latter is clear, with no residue of snow, ice or frost, then it will be possible to drive without winter tyres.
Can you drive with all-season tires in Luxembourg?
Yes, provided they make it up the M+S mark; MRS ; MRS ; or a snowflake.
The abbreviation “M” stands for “mud” (= English for mud) and “S” for “snow”.
All-season tires are a compromise in terms of rubber composition and tread. You should know that they do not reach the performance of winter tires.
Can you drive with two summer tires and two winter tires?
No, this hybrid equipment is not accepted.
How much is the fine in Luxembourg?
You risk a fine of 74 euros if your vehicle is not fitted with winter tires when the weather conditions require it.
In France, are winter tires compulsory?
Since 1uh November 2021, the equipment of anti-slip tires, that is to say, winter tires, snow tires or chains is compulsory in France in 48 departments. This concerns cars, utility vehicles and motorhomes, from 1uh November 2022 to March 31, 2023.
Which French departments are affected by this decree?
48 departments are concerned but it is up to each prefecture to decide whether or not to apply this decree. We can already specify, despite the undeniable benefit of this equipment, that the prefecture of Meurthe-et-Moselle will not make this decree compulsory in the municipalities of its department, unlike the Moselle.
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, Moselle, Nièvre, Puy-de-Dôme, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Pyrénées-Orientales, Lower Rhinethe High RhineRhône, Haute-Saône, Saône-et-Loire, Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Var, Vaucluse, Haute-Vienne, Vosges, Yonne, the Territory of Belfort, South Corsica and Haute-Corse.
Which vehicles are affected?
This new regulation will apply to light and utility vehicles, motorhomes, heavy goods vehicles and coaches circulating in the areas defined by the prefects, indicates the Road Safety Delegation. On the other hand, vehicles fitted with studded tires will not be affected.
Which equipment for which vehicle?
- For light vehicles, utility vehicles and motorhomes:removable removable device (equip metal or textile snow chains) allowing at least two drive wheels, or four winter tires (marked “M+S”, “MS” or “M&S”).
- For coaches, buses and heavy goods vehicles without a trailer or semi-trailer: choice between chains or winter tyres.
- For trucks with trailer or semi-trailer: snow chains enabling at least two drive wheels to be fitted, even if they are fitted with winter tyres.
In Belgium, are winter tires compulsory?
No, winter tires are never mandatory, only recommended in case of winter conditions. Moreover, they are also not never forbidden in Belgium, even in summer. You can therefore drive all year round on winter tires in Belgium.
However, there is one condition. It is necessary that thespeed index of the winter tire is identical or superior to that of the original tires of his car. If the speed index is lower, the use of the winter tire is only authorized between 1uh October and April 30. In this case, note that it is also mandatory to affix a sticker clearly indicating, for the driver, the maximum speed of the tire used on the vehicle.
As a reminder, the speed index is given by the letter which appears at the end of the tire reference. V, for example, for a 205/50 R17 93 V tyre.
In Germany are winter tires mandatory?
Yes, since the law of 2010, as soon as the appearance of ice, slippery or melted snow, or even frost, it is compulsory to equip your vehicle with winter tyres. So there is no specific date. Thus, depending on the climatic conditions, from autumn onwards vehicles must be equipped with snow tires.
What tires are allowed in Germany?
All winter tires have a snowflake symbol, however “M+S” (mud+ snow) tires are also permitted. “M+S” tires have just been removed from the category of tires accepted by the legislation, however they are entitled to a transition period. To be precise, “M+S” tires will be accepted until September 30, 2024 provided that these were manufactured after December 31, 2017. The age of the tires can be recognized by the DOT marking, an oval circle with four digits.
Finally, the tires must have a tread depth of at least 1.6 mm and that these are recognizable and valid in the eyes of the law thanks to the so-called alpine symbol, a mountain pictogram with a snowflake inscribed on the tire.
Exceptions: In Germany, certain vehicles are not affected by the winter tire law, such as commercial vehicles in agriculture and forestry, single-track motor vehicles (e.g. motorcycles), forklifts , motorized patient lifts and emergency vehicles. This exception also applies to vehicles that do not have existing winter tires corresponding to their size. In these special cases, everything must be respected, even a few rules when driving in winter, such as keeping a sufficient distance from the vehicle in front and driving at a maximum of 50 km/h.
Have your winter tires fitted at one of the Autocenter Goedert centres, you will be a winner!
Choose the Autocenter Goedert center that suits you to fit your winter tires and drive safely. Take advantage of our fast service and our wide availability in the workshop, make an appointment, all you have to do is drop off the keys to your vehicle.
To wait while we take care of your vehicle, we will offer you a coffee! And if you wish, you can settle in our Space waiting with wifi and continue working or simply drop off your vehicle and return when you are notified that it is ready.
How to make an appointment?
The simplest and fastest, in a few clicks via our website www.autocentergoedert.lu
Discover our new website. All you have to do is create a web account if you don’t have one! Choose, according to your availability, the Autocenter Goedert center, the day and the time slot that suits you.
Tire/wheel storage service
Once the winter tires have been fitted, if you are short of space at home, in your garage, ask for our tire storage service. We store your tires in optimal conditions in a ventilated room away from light and bad weather.
You will leave without worrying about their storage. A considerable saving of space and stress!
Our current offersFREE wheel/tire storageAt this time, if you have your winter tires fitted before October 9th in one of our centers in Belle Etoile, Bereldange, Foetz Hollerich or Mertert, we will declare the security1. FREE 4-Season Tire CheckIf your vehicle is fitted with 4-season tyres, remember to check the wear and pressure of your tires to ensure that they are efficient! In our centres, we have set up a special offer for you who drive on 4-season tyres. Have it checked free your 4-season tires in one of our workshops. Until October 15, take advantage of our special offer for vehicles fitted with 4-season tires with: FREE control2 understand the :
For more information, 1 Offer reserved for private vehicles. Babysitting worth €57 including a Car Wash worth €15. Complete conditions with our advisors or on www.autocentergoedert.lu 2 Offer reserved for private vehicles fitted with 4-season tires until 10/15/2022, not combinable with another offer. Any repair or product not specified in the offer will be invoiced in addition |
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