Planning a highway journey to France with a automotive, motorhome, campervan or caravan? Concerned in regards to the French winter tyre legislation and in the event you comply? Here’s every part you have to know.
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The new France winter obligatory tools legislation (typically name the French tyre legislation)
On 01 November 2021, a brand new Frence winter legislation got here into impact, stating a authorized requirement to both have winter tyres fitted or to hold/ put on snow chains the place directed.
This has been inflicting uproar in some Facebook teams and boards, with folks both for or in opposition to the brand new legislation.
From 01 November 2021, 48 departments situated in or close to the French mountains (Alps, Corsica, Massif Central, Massif Jurassien, Pyrenees, Massif Vosges) now have roads/ areas the place you must have winter tyres fitted or carry snow chains/ socks earlier than driving on one of many regulated roads, no matter climate circumstances.
What is the purpose of the brand new legislation?
The French need to “reduce road congestion in mountainous areas and improve road safety” when driving on snowy or icy roads.
Each 12 months, unequipped automobiles block roads and trigger accidents they usually need to scale back these.
Before 01 November 2021, you solely wanted winter tyres/ chains when roads marked « B26 obligatory particular tools » have been really coated with snow. Now, you’ll want tyres fitted or to hold chains in the event you’re planning to drive down an affected highway, no matter present climate circumstances.
Where are the affected areas?
The affected departments are (at the moment):
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, l’Isère, Jura, Loire, Haute-Loire, Lot, Lozère, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Moselle, la Nièvre, Puy-de-Dôme, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Pyrénées-Orientales, Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Rhône, Haute-Saône, Saône-et-Loire, la Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Var, Vaucluse, Haute-Vienne, Vosges, l’Yonne, and Territoire de Belfort.
However, it’s doesn’t essentially imply each highway in each division is covered- the native council and prefecture decide which roads and areas are affected. This map is taken from the France Government web site.
How are you aware which roads are affected?
New indicators will let you know while you’re about to enter a obligatory tools space. Again, it’s solely obligatory between 01 November and 31 March every year- you may ignore the indicators at different instances.
One signal exhibits you the place the obligatory space begins, and one the place it finishes:
What do you have to adjust to the France winter legislation?
If motorhoming in France or driving in one of many affected areas between 01 November and 31 March every year, AND in the event you’re on a highway which is marked as obligatory, you have to:
- have winter tyres (marked with “3PMSF” (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake), the “alpine symbol” marking and both “ MS ”or“ M&S ”) mounted on no less than two steered wheels and no less than two driving wheels. If the car has a number of steered axles, these are the steered wheels of the primary steering system.
- 4-season/ all season tyres don’t rely except they’re stamped “3PMSF”, or no less than “M + S”
Until November 1, 2024, tyres solely marked “M + S” shall be tolerated.
OR
- carry snow chains or socks for no less than two driving wheels
OR
If you’re a heavy car or have a trailer
Heavy automobiles with out trailers (I might recommend a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes counts as a heavy car) can select between chains or winter tyres.
Heavy items automobiles with trailers shall be required to hold snow chains for no less than two driving wheels, even when they’re outfitted with winter tyres.
RELATED POST: How to plan a winter motorhome journey & dwell in a van throughout winter
Are snow socks allowed in France?
Snow socks are undeniably cheaper, simpler to suit and use, to not point out higher on your motorhome payload! And sure, they’re allowed underneath the legislation.
However, they aren’t as strong as chains and are designed for brief journeys, not plenty of journey in snow, so in the event you’re planning on doing a protracted journey or a number of brief ones, get chains.
Whatever you select, be sure to follow becoming them in advance- we by chance order the mistaken measurement chains and didn’t realise till we have been within the mountains. Luckily, it was all advantageous however may have been an enormous mistake.
Does the legislation apply to bikes?
The legislation solely applies to 4 wheeled automobiles, so it appears bikes are exempt (however, truthfully, do you need to journey a bike in snowy circumstances with out correct tyres??!)
Is it legislation to have winter tyres in France?
In a phrase, no. If you carry chains or snow socks, you’re coated when it comes to the legislation. But, truthfully, in the event you’re planning to take a motorhome snowboarding or into mountainous areas throughout winter, get winter or on the very least all-season tyres fitted and carry chains or socks as well as.
Better protected than sorry!
What if I’m not outfitted correctly?
If you’re wintering down in Spain or ‘popping through the Alps’ and drive via an space the place winter tyres or snow chains are obligatory with out complying with the above, you might be stopped by the authorities and fined €135. You might also not be capable to proceed your journey.
B26 site visitors signal
The B26 site visitors signal (the one displaying snow chains) will proceed to imply that you have to WEAR (not simply carry) chains on these roads when snow is on the bottom, even outdoors the winter interval. These are clearly marked on the roads and there shall be an space of chainage so that you can pull in and match chains if wanted.
NOTE: The French Government clearly say right here that there shall be no fines for breaching this legislation within the first 12 months (so up till March 2022). I’ve no clue why, however there it’s!
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