Winter tyre rules mandatory in French mountain areas from November

[UPDATE/CORRECTION: Map of mountain departments corrected to show those that apply the law 100%. The previous map was incorrect.]

Winter weather and mountain tyre rules and equipment are set to become mandatory in French mountain ranges and mountainous areas from November, as the ‘Loi Montagne 2’ comes into force.

The law applies from November 1 to March 31. This is the first year that it will be enforced with fines. It requires drivers in affected areas to:

• Use snow tyres for all four wheels, with tyres that have the 3PMSF icon on them (see below)

• Carry and use winter chains or socks (chaussettes à neige textiles) for at least two wheels, which can be put on to improve safety in the event of snow and ice.

“The Loi Montagne requires that all drivers who go through one of the 34 affected [mountain range] departments must conform to the law,” said Daniel Bonnabel, director general at tyre company Allopneus, to Le Dauphiné Libéré. 

Drivers caught without the right equipment can be fined €135. If you have an accident and were found not to have complied with the law, your insurance company may also refuse your claim.

Where does the law apply?

Some departments apply the law across all their communes. Others only require it in some. 

The Loi Montagne website has a map (translated above) showing departments, and also shows a list of communes and roads affected, by department. You are advised to check before travelling in an affected department. (Please note that the original LoiMontagne.info map mixes up the mountain departments that 100% apply the law with those that apply it only partially. The translated map above is correct.) 

Areas that require the tyres have road signage in place, and these signs legally require drivers to conform, states the European Union Consumers website. Passenger vehicles, vans and utility vehicles, 4x4s, buses and heavy goods vehicles are all affected by the law.

Road signs show when drivers are entering and exiting affected zones.

Mountain departments in which the law applies everywhere

Cantal, Haute-Loire, Savoie, Haute-Savoie, and Hautes-Alpes.

Mountain departments in which the law partially applies

Ain, Allier, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Alpes-Maritimes, Ardèche, Ariège, Aude, Aveyron, Doubs, Drôme, Haute-Garonne, Isère, Jura, Loire, Lozère, Moselle, Puy-de-Dôme, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Pyrénées-Orientales, Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Rhône, Haute-Saône, Territoire de Belfort, and Vosges.

Other departments in which the law applies in some areas, in some conditions

Corrèze, Corse-du-Sud, Côte-d’Or, Creuse, Gard, Haute-Corse, Haute-Vienne, Hérault, Lot, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Nièvre, Saône-et-Loire, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Var, Vaucluse, and Yonne.

You can check communes affected here.

What does 3PMSF mean?

The ‘pictogram 3PMSF (Three Peak Mountain Snowflake)’ is a small symbol that appears on tyres to show that they are certified as safe for winter conditions, and have passed tests to ensure performance in snow and ice. 

The icon shows the outline of a mountain with three peaks, with a symbol of a snowflake inside the line.

The American-designed 3PMSF tyre was introduced in Europe in 2012 and given a European ECE standard in 2016 for driving in winter conditions.

Tyres that meet the 3PMSF norm are designed to stay flexible in temperatures below 7C and to retain their grip on snow, slush, wet roads and bare asphalt. However, their depth of tread can vary. 

Although it is not a legal requirement, most manufacturers recommend a minimum tread depth of at least 4mm; 5mm is advisable for snowy conditions.

Mud and snow, snow and ice? Winter vs snow tyres

The 3PMSF symbol is often accompanied by the ‘M+S’ symbol, which stands for ‘mud and snow’. 

Tyres must have the 3PMSF symbol on them as well (or the 3PMSF symbol alone) to be considered safe in most of the 34 departments that require winter equipment, however.

Last year, some areas banned the use of tyres with the M+S symbol that do not also have the 3PMSF symbol as well. This often applies to certain ‘four-season’ tyres. Drivers are always advised to check before starting a journey.

This is because ‘winter tyres’ are not necessarily the same as ‘snow tyres’, warns Mr Bonnabel. Tyres labelled as ‘winter’ or ‘four-season’ (e.g. which may show the M+S symbol only) may not be safe for snowy conditions. 

Snow tyres, with the 3PMSF symbol, specifically offer even more protection and road adherence in snowy or icy weather, and can also withstand lower temperatures than regular tyres.

As soon as temperatures fall below 7C, drivers should check if they need additional equipment to ensure safety, he added.

The types of tyres, chains, and slippers will depend on tyre size and type, vehicle model and type, where the vehicle is being driven (e.g. high-altitude mountains or not), and the weather.