With temperatures falling almost everywhere in France, on November 1 it will once again be mandatory to wear suitable tires or carry removable equipment for traveling in 34 departments, until March 31, 2026.
An obligation that does not give rise to fines, as has happened since the beginning of this measure in 2021, but that deserves to be respected to avoid an accident. Or simply find yourself immobilized and potentially paralyzing traffic due to this simple carelessness.
The interested departments and municipalities
The list of affected municipalities, with total obligation (in the entire territory of the municipality) or partial (only in a part of the municipality) is available on this specific page of the Road Safety website.
Also find our search engine to find out if any municipality is interested.
Winter or 4-season tire?
Contrary to what you might think, winter tires adapt to winter temperatures but it is not necessary to wait for the first flake of snow to appear or for the roads to be icy to equip your car. For this reason, it is better to use the term “winter tire” instead of “snow tire”, which is still used, however.
Therefore, it is estimated that winter tires are more efficient when the thermometer drops below 7°C. However, from then on they lose this advantage, which remains a relevant criticism of this “mountain law II”, which is applied mechanically from November 1 to March 31, without taking into account temperature variations. 4-season tires can therefore be an attractive option: they avoid having to change tires every season with the costs that this entails between assembly, balancing and sometimes also storage.
Whether you opt for a 4-season model or a winter model, the tire must be marked “3PMFS” (a snowflake on a three-peak mountain symbol).
“It is important to equip yourself with the right winter tires: the 3PMSF marking, mandatory last year, is a European certification seal that guarantees performance in winter conditions,” explains Allopneus marketing director Coralie Masselot.
“The 3PMSF 4-season tire is also a good solution for motorists who occasionally go to the mountains, allowing them to travel in complete safety throughout France in winter,” he continues.
Detachable equipment, a good alternative
Another option: have removable equipment, such as chains or snow socks. Without a doubt, ideal for more occasional use, if you do not live in the 34 departments affected and you do not plan to travel many times during assembly, which is also what Allopneus recommends on an informative page on its site that also allows you to orient yourself among the numerous brands proposed.
Note that a recent study by a German automobile club showed that almost a third of a selection of 31 winter tires are not recommended, according to a recent article in Automobile magazine. Also important clarification: in the absence of snow or ice, removable devices (chains or snow socks) must be carried on board the vehicle, road safety also specifies.
Windshield washer, brakes, headlights and battery not to forget
Beyond tires, it’s important to prepare your vehicle for winter with a special winter windshield washer fluid. A visit to the garage can also be recommended to check the brakes, the battery, which is used especially in winter, but also the headlights. In fact, the time change, the night of Saturday, October 25 to Sunday, October 26, will encourage night driving in the coming months.
Source: BFM TV
