French law on snow tyres criticised as authorities unable to issue fines

Criticisms are being levelled against France’s ‘Loi Montagne’ as authorities are still unable to issue fines for non-compliance with winter driving equipment, several years after rules came into force. 

The law requires drivers in certain departments (or certain roads in departments) to use ‘3PMSF’ snow tyres as well as carry winter chains or socks for at least two tyres. 

These must be used between November 1 and March 31.

Drivers that fail to comply face, in theory, a €135 fine.

However, despite rules being in place since 2021 no driver is yet to be fined, with authorities instead informing them of the rules but unable to penalise any infractions.

This is due to France’s government not yet passing the definitive decree that allows authorities to issue fines over the matter, leaving aspects of the law in limbo. 

While drivers may be happy to avoid fiscal penalties – although they are technically legally required to use the snow tyres – it has left some authorities frustrated. 

Why are fines not being issued?

The ‘Loir Montagne’ has had a laborious road to implementation. 

First passed by MPs in 2016, it was not until 2021 that the exact details of the law were laid out.

Once the rules came into place, an ‘educational period’ – where rule-breakers are informed of new laws and told to comply but not penalised – was initially employed to accustom drivers to the new regulations. 

This was extended a number of times, including in autumn 2023, but by spring 2024 it was widely expected that the government would pass the final decree (thereby allowing authorities to fine drivers) before the autumn. 

However political instability following the July 2024 legislative elections put this on hold, as France entered a period without a government in place and the necessary ministers required to sign off on the decree. 

By the time Michel Barnier was announced as prime minister in September 2024, there was not enough time to pass the decree for the upcoming winter period. Therefore, another educational period for the rules was put in place.

Despite further political turmoil in 2025, it was widely expected that the decree would be signed off, allowing authorities to issue fines from November 1 onwards.

Why has the decree not been signed? 

The law already lays out the expected fines, drivers and authorities alike are well aware of both the requirements and penalties, and the decree really only needs to be drafted and signed. 

"The authorities explained that they had to wait to properly inform users. And we believe that, for the past five years, users have been informed,” said president of France’s tyre association Dominique Stempfel to FranceInfo. 

The real reason is perhaps more politically motivated. 

“Successive prime ministers were terrified of implementing this law because they had visions of yellow vests [gilets jaunes] everywhere,” said former centrist MP and supporter of the bill Joël Giraud to FranceInfo. 

“The government felt there would be riots in France if special equipment were mandated in mountain areas,” he added, referencing the mass protests of the gilets jaunes initially sparked by fuel taxes and high petrol prices. 

“As a result, we end up with a law that has been stripped of its meaning,” he added. 

Even if a single decree is all that is needed, the prime minister’s office and Transport Ministry both pass on queries about the law to the Interior Ministry, which in turn directs questions to France’s Sécurité routière or road safety authority. 

The latter has no power to introduce the bill. “The rule exists. Our goal is to raise awareness. The decree on penalties will come when it comes. People in the affected areas are already largely informed,” it told FranceInfo.

Drivers should note however that even if they do not risk a fine, failure to use snow tyres in an area where they are legally mandated could see insurers refuse a compensation claim as our article from 2024 highlights.