France – new regulations for winter equipment from 1st November

France has introduced new regulations regarding the use of winter tires and the obligation of carrying snow chains in vehicles during winter months.

From 1st of November all vehicles have to be fitted with different winter equipment in the period from November 1 to March 31, depending on vehicle type, when driving in the following mountainous regions.
• the Alps
• Corsica
• the Massif Central
• the Jura Mountains
• the Pyrenees
• the Vosges
Regulations for heavy goods vehicles from 3.5 t GVW (N2, N3):
• HGVs without a trailer or semitrailer have to be equipped with at least 2 snow chains (or comparable, removable anti-slip equipment) or
• be fitted with at least 4 winter tires, which must be fitted on at least 2 wheels on the steering axle and on at least 2 wheels on the drive axle. If the vehicle has more than 1 steering axle, winter tires have to be fitted on all wheels.
• HGVS pulling a trailer or semitrailer have to be equipped with anti-slip equipment (snow chains or similar equipment).
Acceptable equipment:
• Anti-slip equipment such as snow chains and textile snow socks
• Winter tires: From November 1, 2024, only winter tires with the 3PMSF (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) symbol will be allowed. Until November 1, 2024, the use of winter tires with the “M + S” marking is also allowed.
New traffic signs:
France has introduced new road signs that accompany the new regulation. The road sign B58 indicates the general obligation to carry winter equipment in certain zones when entering the zone. The sign B59 indicates the end of a zone where vehicles are obliged to carry winter equipment.
Furthermore, the existing traffic sign B26 will also be used in the future to indicate the obligation of using snow chains owing to winter conditions.