Winter equipment requirements in Germany

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Sat 14 Nov 2015 23:26
Winter equipment requirements in Germany - dimdip

Hello,

I'm considering a short trip into Germany via the ferry to Rotterdam. I've a vague recollection about the requirement for winter tyres and other such obligations in order to be legal in Germany. Can any one advise on the specifics, or suggest websites to check please?

Edited by dimdip on 14/11/2015 at 23:27

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Sat 14 Nov 2015 23:33
Winter equipment requirements in Germany - Avant

Just Google Driving in Germany and there are lots of sites, including the RAC and AA, that will tell you.

If you're going to Rotterdam, you should do the same for Driving in Holland.

Edited by Avant on 14/11/2015 at 23:33

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Sun 15 Nov 2015 08:21
Winter equipment requirements in Germany - RT

I think it varies by province - some make winter tyres mandatory.

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Sun 15 Nov 2015 09:01
Winter equipment requirements in Germany - skidpan

I think it varies by province - some make winter tyres mandatory.

Correct, it mormally only the Alpine regions. But its isn't illegal not to have them. It only becomes an issue if you have an accident or cause a hold up, the fines will be heavy.

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Sun 15 Nov 2015 10:28
Winter equipment requirements in Germany - Brit_in_Germany

Winter tyres are a legal requirement if the road is affected by ice or snow.

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Sun 15 Nov 2015 10:40
Winter equipment requirements in Germany - Big John

Tyre that have the sign ‘M + S’ (mud and snow) on the side wall may be used. Winter tyres and all season tyres with this symbol are OK. Many of these tyres also display the three-peaked mountain symbol with an inset snow flake.

Never mix summer/winter/all season tyres

Edited by Big John on 15/11/2015 at 10:42

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Sun 15 Nov 2015 20:14
Winter equipment requirements in Germany - dimdip

Appreciate the replies. Since the Forester's Bridgestone Duelers are categorised as summer tyres and probably do not have the M+S rating (still need to check that), it sounds like it would be risky taking the trip when there's the possiblility of ice and snow.

Since we only seem to get roughly one harsh winter in three, I can't justify a set of winter tyres to myself so will probably fly instead! Cheers.

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Sun 15 Nov 2015 20:26
Winter equipment requirements in Germany - gordonbennet

If your tyres need replacing anyway, you could bung a set of winter rated (snowflake/mountain stamped) all season tyres which will do the job required and you can run them as normal.

Some full winter tyres are known to be tough enough wearing to stand all year use, Nokian WR range sticks in me head for some reason.

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Mon 16 Nov 2015 08:10
Winter equipment requirements in Germany - RT

If your tyres need replacing anyway, you could bung a set of winter rated (snowflake/mountain stamped) all season tyres which will do the job required and you can run them as normal.

Some full winter tyres are known to be tough enough wearing to stand all year use, Nokian WR range sticks in me head for some reason.

The Nokian WR G1 gained that reputation - but subsequent generations of the WR don't wear as well in summer.

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Sun 15 Nov 2015 21:31
Winter equipment requirements in Germany - Mike H

Only tyres marked with the three-peaked mountain symbol (plus obligatory snowflake) qualify as winter tyres. M+S designation is meaningless in the legal winter tyre context.

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Mon 16 Nov 2015 06:18
Winter equipment requirements in Germany - Brit_in_Germany

Mike, that is not in lIne with the advice given by the ADAC. Since there is no legal definition (or at least EU regulated) of a winter tyre, M+S tyres are acceptable as are those with the snowflake symbol. Things may be different in Austria, of course.

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Mon 16 Nov 2015 10:49
Winter equipment requirements in Germany - nortones2

I read the ADAC item on tyres, and it glosses over the Alpine symbol. Perhaps something got lost in translation? Only read the English version though.

Goodyear cite specific requirements, going back to 2102, here: www.goodyear.eu/corporate_emea/our-responsibilitie...p

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Mon 16 Nov 2015 21:14
Winter equipment requirements in Germany - Mike H

Mike, that is not in lIne with the advice given by the ADAC. Since there is no legal definition (or at least EU regulated) of a winter tyre, M+S tyres are acceptable as are those with the snowflake symbol. Things may be different in Austria, of course.

I'm a bit surprised, I was under the impression that the snowflake symbol was definitive. A winter tread pattern is totally different from the M+S Goodyear Efficient Grip fitted to my CR-V, and I certainly wouldn't want to use them in the snow.

Personally I wouldn't like to argue the point with the Polizei ;-)

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