Tire fines in Europe

Tyre fines in Europe depend not only on the country but also on the specific road conditions. In some countries, winter tyres are required during a fixed period. In others, the rule applies only when there is snow, ice, black ice or slush. In mountainous regions, road signs often require snow chains or other winter equipment. Separate penalties may also apply for worn tyres, insufficient tread depth, incorrect markings and driving without chains where they are mandatory.

For a driver from Ukraine, the main risk usually arises not when leaving Ukraine but later along the route through European countries. Ukrainian rules do not establish a separate fine for using summer tyres in winter, but the situation is different in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and France. In these countries, summer tyres in winter conditions may lead to a fine, a ban on continuing the journey, insurance complications or additional liability after a road accident.

Table of tyre fines and rules by country

Country	When the requirement applies	Required equipment	Penalty
Germany	In snow, ice, black ice, frost or slush	Tyres with the Alpine/3PMSF symbol	€60–€120 for the driver and 1 penalty point; €75 and 1 point for the vehicle owner
Poland	There is no general obligation to use winter tyres	Roadworthy tyres and compliance with road signs	Penalties may apply for the vehicle’s condition or failure to obey a sign; there is no separate fine for summer tyres
Czech Republic	From 1 November to 31 March in winter conditions or on roads marked with the relevant sign	Winter tyres with at least 4 mm tread depth for passenger cars	Up to CZK 2,000 on the spot and up to CZK 2,500 in administrative proceedings
Slovakia	When the road is fully covered with snow or ice	Winter tyres in such conditions	A penalty may be imposed for driving without suitable tyres on a winter-covered road
Austria	From 1 November to 15 April in winter road conditions	Winter tyres on all wheels or chains where permitted by the rule	€35 for a basic offence and up to €5,000 if the violation creates danger
Hungary	There is no general obligation to use winter tyres	Snow chains where required by a road sign	A penalty may apply for failure to obey a sign or chain requirement
Romania	On roads covered with snow, ice or black ice	Tyres marked M+S, MS or M&S	Class IV fine, often 9–20 penalty points; the vehicle registration certificate may also be confiscated
Italy	On roads and in regions subject to a seasonal order or road sign	Winter tyres or snow chains carried in the vehicle	The amount depends on the type of road and is often between €42 and €344
France	From 1 November to 31 March in designated mountainous areas	Winter tyres or chains/snow socks	Up to €750 for worn tyres, usually a fixed fine of €135; separate controls apply to mountain winter equipment
Spain	On roads marked with sign R-412 or under snow-related traffic restrictions	Snow chains or other authorised winter equipment	Failure to comply may result in a ban on continuing the journey; the fine is often €200

Fines for improper tyre use in Germany

In Germany, tyre penalties are tied to actual winter conditions. The law does not set one fixed date after which every vehicle must use winter tyres. The requirement applies when there is black ice, packed snow, slush, icy road surfaces or frost. Driving on summer tyres on a dry winter road does not by itself trigger a fine. Driving on summer tyres when the road is covered with snow or ice violates the rule.

Since 1 October 2024, tyres used in winter conditions in Germany must carry the Alpine/3PMSF symbol. The old M+S marking without the Alpine symbol is no longer sufficient. This rule also applies to all-season tyres. An all-season tyre without the Alpine/3PMSF mark may not be accepted as a winter tyre in snow, ice or black ice.

Germany uses a clear penalty scale. Driving without suitable tyres in winter conditions results in a €60 fine and 1 point in Flensburg. If the violation obstructs traffic, the fine rises to €80. If it creates danger, the fine is €100. If an accident occurs, the fine is €120. The vehicle owner may also receive a €75 fine and 1 point if the vehicle was allowed to be used without the required tyres.

For a Ukrainian driver, this means that a set of tyres must not merely be described as “winter tyres”; it must carry the correct marking. Summer tyres may not create a problem only while the road remains free of winter conditions. During an actual winter journey, weather conditions can change after crossing the border.

Fines for improper tyre use in Poland

Poland does not impose a general obligation to fit winter tyres on passenger cars. The law does not require every driver to make a seasonal tyre change. Winter tyres are recommended, but the absence of winter tyres does not by itself create a separate offence. The driver remains responsible for the technical condition of the vehicle, safe driving and compliance with road signs.

There is no separate fine in Poland for using summer tyres in winter. A penalty may arise for other reasons, including defective tyres, dangerous driving, an accident, failure to obey a road sign or failure to use chains where required. If a snow-covered road is marked with a sign requiring chains, the driver must comply with that sign.

For winter transit through Poland, the key issues are the condition of the tyres and the driver’s behaviour. Summer tyres with sufficient tread depth do not create a separate offence. Worn or damaged tyres may become a problem during a roadside inspection, after an accident or during an insurance assessment.

Fines for improper tyre use in the Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, winter tyres are required from 1 November to 31 March when there is snow, ice or frost on the road, or when such conditions can reasonably be expected because of the weather. The rule therefore applies not only after a vehicle has already reached a snow-covered road. If the driver is travelling toward an area where winter conditions are forecast, the tyres must be suitable for the season. Some road sections are marked with a “Winter Equipment” sign, which makes the winter tyre requirement applicable on that section.

For passenger cars in the Czech Republic, winter tyres must have at least 4 mm of tread depth. Heavier vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are subject to stricter tread requirements on the relevant axles. A passenger car using summer tyres between 1 November and 31 March on snow, ice or a road marked with a winter equipment sign may be subject to a fine.

The fine for not using the required winter tyres may be up to CZK 2,000 on the spot. If the case is transferred to administrative proceedings, the amount may reach CZK 2,500. Police may also prohibit further travel if the vehicle or tyre condition creates a danger.

For a route from Ukraine through the Czech Republic, the greatest risk arises in mountainous and elevated areas. A dry city road and a snow-covered motorway section may lead to different legal consequences. Snow, ice, frost or a winter equipment sign turns summer tyres into a direct penalty risk.

Fines for improper tyre use in Slovakia

In Slovakia, winter tyres are required for passenger cars when the road is fully covered with snow or ice. Separate rules apply to heavy vehicles and buses, particularly regarding driven axles during specified periods. The Your Europe portal also states that winter tyres are mandatory when the road is completely covered by snow or ice.

Slovak tourism information describes the same situational rule. If a road is covered with ice or snow, or becomes slippery because of ice, winter tyres are mandatory. Snow chains may also be required on mountain roads, especially for heavy vehicles.

A penalty arises when a vehicle is driven without suitable tyres on a road where winter tyres are mandatory because of the surface conditions. The exact amount should be checked against the current Slovak fine schedule before departure, because official public sources often describe the requirement itself rather than one fixed amount for every situation.

For a Ukrainian driver, the practical rule is straightforward. Summer tyres create a risk of a fine and a ban on further travel when the road is covered with snow or ice. On a dry road, the passenger-car rule is not a simple calendar-based prohibition.

Fines for improper tyre use in Austria

Austria applies a situational winter equipment rule from 1 November to 15 April. During this period, a vehicle must use winter tyres or chains in accordance with the applicable conditions when winter road conditions are present. Such conditions include snow, slush, ice and slippery surfaces. Minimum tread depth is 4 mm for radial winter tyres and 5 mm for diagonal winter tyres.

The Austrian authorities state that driving in winter conditions without winter tyres or chains may result in a €35 fine. If unsuitable equipment creates danger for other road users, the fine may reach €5,000. This is one of the strictest penalty ranges on popular European travel routes.

Snow chains are not a universal substitute for winter tyres on every road in Austria. Their use depends on the road surface and the signs in place. Chains may be permitted on a road that is fully covered with snow or ice, but they are not a normal replacement for suitable tyres on wet asphalt.

Austria is frequently part of routes to Germany, Italy, Slovenia and ski resorts. A driver using summer tyres during winter conditions risks not only a fine but also being stopped from continuing on a mountain road. If the absence of winter equipment creates danger, the amount may be much higher than the basic fine.

Fines for improper tyre use in Hungary

Winter tyres are not generally mandatory for all vehicles in Hungary. A driver does not receive a separate fine merely for using summer tyres on a dry road in winter. However, road signs may require snow chains on at least the driven axle in certain locations. Studded tyres are prohibited on public roads.

The Hungarian rule is relevant for transit because the country is often included in routes from Ukraine to Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy. In ordinary circumstances, the penalty issue concerns a specific sign, a chain requirement or the unsafe condition of the vehicle rather than winter tyres as such. Ignoring a snow-chain sign creates an offence for failure to comply with a traffic requirement.

For Hungary, two points matter. There is no general winter-tyre requirement for passenger cars, but chain requirements apply on marked sections. Summer tyres do not by themselves create a fine on a dry road, but a mandatory sign changes the legal situation.

Fines for improper tyre use in Romania

Romania does not have one calendar date from which every vehicle must use winter tyres. The requirement applies on roads covered with snow, ice or black ice. Winter tyres must carry the M+S, MS or M&S marking. The decisive factor is the actual road surface rather than the month shown on the calendar.

The Romanian penalty for not using suitable tyres in the required conditions falls within class IV. Romanian sources for 2025 referred to 9–20 penalty points, equal at that time to approximately RON 1,822.5–4,050. The vehicle registration certificate may also be confiscated.

Romania is an important transit country for Ukrainian drivers travelling to Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey or the Balkans. Summer tyres on a dry road do not create a separate calendar-based offence. On a road covered with snow, ice or black ice, they provide grounds for a fine and possible seizure of vehicle documents.

Romanian rules are stricter than Polish rules but resemble the German and Austrian approach. The road condition is the main criterion. If the surface is wintry, the tyres must be suitable. A driver entering the Carpathians or a snow-covered route on summer tyres faces a direct penalty risk.

Fines for improper tyre use in Italy

In Italy, tyre and winter equipment rules depend on the region, province, motorway or individual road. Many sections require winter tyres or chains to be carried from 15 November to 15 April. On the Brenner A22 motorway, for example, winter equipment is required during this period even when there is no snow on the road.

The Italian model differs from the German one. Germany links the requirement to actual winter conditions. In Italy, the obligation on many roads arises from a local order or road sign. Summer tyres may therefore be a problem even on a dry road if a seasonal winter-equipment requirement applies to that section.

The fine depends on the type of road and the exact rule breached. Road operator materials refer to fines from €42 in built-up areas, from €84 on roads outside built-up areas and up to €344 in some cases. Additional consequences may apply if the driver continues after being ordered to stop.

A journey to Italy through Austria or Slovenia involves two levels of risk. The first concerns the rules and fines in the transit countries. The second concerns Italian roads subject to local winter regulations. If the car uses summer tyres, chains carried in the boot satisfy the requirement only where the rule explicitly permits “winter tyres or chains”.

Fines for improper tyre use in France

France applies winter equipment requirements in designated mountain zones. From 1 November to 31 March, vehicles in certain municipalities within mountain ranges must either use winter tyres or carry removable anti-skid devices such as metal chains or snow socks. The rule applies to passenger cars, vans and motorhomes in zones designated by departmental prefects.

The official French Service Public portal separately describes penalties for tyres in poor condition. Driving with unroadworthy tyres is prohibited. The fine may be as high as €750, while the standard fixed amount is usually €135. The vehicle may also be immobilised.

France has a separate legal issue concerning mountain winter equipment. The obligation has existed since 2021, but a 2025 government response in the Senate described enforcement as educational and without penalties because a separate decree was required to introduce the fine. The legal obligation to carry suitable winter equipment therefore exists, while the current penalty framework should be checked before each winter season.

In practice, drivers should not enter French mountain areas without winter tyres or chains. Controls on routes to ski resorts may restrict access. Worn tyres are covered by a separate penalty regime regardless of the mountain equipment rule.

Fines for improper tyre use in Spain

Spain does not impose a general nationwide obligation to fit winter tyres. Requirements arise on specific roads because of snow, traffic signs, decisions by the road authority or temporary traffic restrictions. In winter notices, the Spanish DGT recommends carrying chains or using winter or all-season tyres on routes where snow is forecast, and it may restrict access for vehicles without winter equipment.

The key snow-related sign in Spain is R-412. It prohibits further travel without chains or other authorised devices fitted to at least one wheel on each side of the driven axle. This requirement is expressly set out in Spanish traffic-sign regulations.

The penalty risk does not arise merely because a vehicle has summer tyres. It arises when the driver enters a road without the required equipment where a sign or traffic regime makes that equipment mandatory. Spanish sources often state a €200 fine for ignoring a mandatory chain requirement, without loss of penalty points, together with a ban on continuing the journey.

For winter travel in Spain, the main risks are associated with the Pyrenees, mountain roads, approaches to ski resorts and sections where the DGT introduces snow restrictions. Summer tyres on a dry road in Madrid or Barcelona do not create a separate seasonal fine. On a road marked with R-412, summer tyres without chains or authorised winter equipment provide grounds for a penalty.

What penalties apply to tyres in Europe?

A fine for unsuitable tyres does not always mean one fixed amount. In Germany, the amount depends on the consequences, including a routine inspection, obstruction, danger or an accident. In Austria, the basic fine may be small, but it can rise to €5,000 if danger is created. The Czech Republic has an on-the-spot fine and a separate amount for administrative proceedings. Romania uses a penalty-point class and may confiscate the vehicle registration certificate.

In countries where the requirement is imposed by road signs, the penalty is often linked to failure to obey the sign. Italy, Spain and Hungary commonly apply this approach on specific road sections. Where chains or winter equipment are mandatory, the driver must comply. If the equipment is missing, police may issue a fine, refuse access or prevent further travel.

A separate category of penalties concerns tyre condition. France expressly provides for a fine of up to €750, usually €135, for tyres in poor condition. This fine does not depend on whether the tyres are summer or winter tyres. A worn tread or an unroadworthy tyre can lead to a penalty in any season.

What Ukrainian drivers should check before travelling through Europe

Before a winter journey through Europe, drivers should check not only the destination country but every transit country. The route Ukraine–Poland–Germany is subject to one set of rules in Poland and a different set in Germany. The route Ukraine–Hungary–Austria–Italy passes through countries with different requirements for chains, winter tyres and local road restrictions.

The greatest risks of fines for summer tyres in winter arise in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Romania. Germany requires the Alpine/3PMSF marking. Austria applies its rule from 1 November to 15 April when winter conditions are present. The Czech Republic combines dates, weather conditions and winter-equipment signs. Romania focuses on snow, ice and black ice on the road.

Poland and Hungary do not impose a general winter-tyre obligation, but this does not remove the duty to keep the vehicle roadworthy and obey traffic signs. In Italy and Spain, the rule depends on the specific road. In France, drivers must consider mountain zones and the separate penalties for unroadworthy tyres.

Proper preparation for a winter route requires three checks: tyre markings, remaining tread depth and the rules of every country and road on the route. Tyres without the required marking for Germany, or tyres that do not comply with winter conditions in Austria or the Czech Republic, expose the driver to a fine. If the route includes Italy, France or Spain, road signs, mountain sections and seasonal restrictions must also be checked separately.