From November 1, 2021, it will be mandatory to use snow tires in certain departments and at least until March 31. What are the exact conditions of this decree and where does it apply?
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT IN WINTER IN 48 DEPARTMENTS
This November 1, 2021, all motorists driving in the mountainous regions of 48 departments must must equip their vehicle with removable anti-slip devices until March 31 of the following year. However, certain sections of road may receive an exemption.
Although we speak of “compulsory snow tires”, the decree mentions “ equipment obligations during winter ”. This equipment can be snow tires to be installed on all the wheels of the vehicle, or removable anti-slip devices such as metal or textile snow chains to be fitted on at least two drive wheels.
HOW THE MANDATORY SNOW TIRE DECREE WORKS
“Snow tires” are tires identified by the markings “M+S”, or “M&S” sometimes appearing in conjunction with the Alpine symbol called “3PMSF” for “3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake”.
To find out which municipalities are affected by this new decree, new displays will be put in place. These are the B58 signs to signify “Entering the equipment obligation zone during winter”, and the B59 signs to signify “Exit from the equipment obligation zone during winter”. The panels depict a mountain with Alpine markings and a suitcase containing chains. One cartridge specifies the dates of application of the measure, i.e. between November 1 and March 31 inclusive, and another may specify that the obligation is valid throughout the department.
Attention : the signs will be placed at the entrance to the department and not necessarily repeated once inside.
The vehicles concerned by the obligation are light vehicles, light utility vehicles, motorhomes, heavy goods vehicles (with trailer or semi-trailer) and coaches.
DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED BY THE SNOW TIRE OBLIGATION
The law requiring the use of snow equipment concerns 48 departments which are part of the six mountain ranges of France:
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- the Pyrenees
- the Alps
- the Massif Central
- Corsica
- the Jura Massif
- the Vosges Massif
The departments concerned by the snow tire obligation are as follows:
Ain (01), Doubs (25), Meurthe-et-Moselle (54), Savoie (73), Allier (03), Drôme (26) Moselle (57), Haute-Savoie (74), Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (04), Eure-et-Loir (28) Nièvre (58), Tarn (81), Hautes-Alpes (05), Gard (30), Puy-de-Dôme (63), Tarn-et-Garonne (82), Alpes-Maritimes (06), Haute-Garonne (31), Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64), Var (83), Ardèche (07), Hérault (34), Hautes-Pyrénées (65), Vaucluse (84), Ariège (09), Isère (38), Pyrénées- Orientales (66), Haute-Vienne (87), Aude (11), Jura (39), Bas-Rhin (67), Vosges (88), Aveyron (12), Loire (42), Haut-Rhin (68) , Yonne (89), Cantal (15), Haute-Loire (43), Rhône (69), Territoire de Belfort (90), Côte-d'Or (21), Lot (46), Haute-Saône (70) , Corse-du-Sud (2A), Creuse (23), Lozère (48), Saône-et-Loire (71), Haute-Corse (2B).
The official list of municipalities concerned by the obligation has not yet been defined by the prefects of each department.
SNOW TIRE, CHAINS OR SNOW SOCKS: WHAT TO CHOOSE?
The equipment you choose for riding in these areas will depend on your needs . Someone who lives in a mountainous region or who spends daily in the mountains will rather equip themselves with snow tires. However, you should know that this comes at a cost. since you have to go to the mechanic and change all four tires. Summer tires must then be stored correctly.
Conversely, someone who drives more occasionally in these areas may instead turn to chains or snow socks if they do not want to use snow tires.
Although effective, snow chains are restrictive to mount and use since they cannot drive on dry asphalt unlike winter tires or Musher anti-slip snow socks . These over-tyres are installed in 5 minutes and allow you to drive on dry asphalt for 150km and on snowy roads up to 50 km/h. In addition, thanks to their patented technology, they fully comply with the new standard and the B26 panel. And because good news never comes alone, discover our brand new premium anti-slip tire , soon available which will allow you to drive up to 150 km on dry asphalt.
Economical and practical, ride safely and legally during your mountain journeys!