Further to my comment, this site has some information relevant to winter tyres: snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=59926

Hi again,

Regards to the marking of the tyres, yes the snowflake mark must be on non-studded friction tyres.

Good point made about other drivers not using correct tyres for the conditions. Unless the use of winter tyres or autosocks/snow chains is made law then there will always be, and probably a majority, who drive using unsuitable tyres for the temperature/road conditions. In that case it is better to stay off the roads if possible.

Remember too that your winter tyres do have a life span, with non-studded winter tyres the most important factor to give your vehicle the best grip and skid protection is the tread. And store your tyres correctly too to give them the best life span.

We've currently got serious minus degrees and snow/ice where I live. Of course experience of driving on ice/snow is one of the most important factors and not over estimating your abilities or the cars electronic systems. I'm from the UK, learnt to drive in Sweden though where winter driving is a core part of driving training. If you get the opportunity I'd thoroughly recommend an hour or two on the skid pan, educational to experience how the braking system reacts during a skid and differences that a few mph make to you chances of recovering a skid or ending up in a ditch or in the worst case scenario another car or central reservation.

For the M&S mark, no testing is involved. RMA term - an American organisation. auto.howstuffworks.com/tire3.htm

The new laws in Germany come into effect next monday they can then enforce the winter tyre rules,fines from €35 to €5000 dependant on circumstances.Winter tyres have to have the Snowflake symbol and the m&s notation ,there appears to be no time limit as to there use but in snowy conditions is a must.Stop checks are envisaged in the first few months were they will check the tyres for type and tread depth according to my local paper.

I quite fancy a Defender for the Peak district, which is a frequent destination. Family reasons. But only with winter tyres:) We may be moving to Buxton permanently: need to think about access to NHS specialities. However, SWMBO possibly has other views on a vehicle that is robust (but crude). On the positive side driver possibly less affected by angst from tailgaters (steel girders front and back, not rep-pristine but benefiting from a scarred/ dented patina Volvos etc might respect) and other road scum. But at least we'd have a sporting chance of getting about.