By In some parts of Germany, snow chains may be required in winter, but only according to police instructions or road signs like the one on this page. The maximum speed when driving a vehicle with chains is 50 kilometers per hour. Please note! There are also summer tyres with M+S markings. These summer tyres have no winter characteristics and are therefore not suitable for driving in Germany in winter conditions – not even during the transition period. Motorists must not exceed the maximum speed of their winter tyres indicated on the sidewall of the tyre. If this speed is lower than that of the car, a suitable sticker should be placed in a place that the driver can easily see. German regulations stipulate a tread depth of 1.6 mm, but 4 mm is recommended for winter tyres. The legal minimum tread depth for Germany is 1.6 millimeters, although ADAC recommends 4 centimeters for winter driving. The other winter equipment required by law is antifreeze for the windshield wipers and wipers themselves. In Germany, motorists are legally required to attach winter or all-season tires to their cars. The old rules have been strengthened and the M+S logo (mud and snow) is no longer enough. Tyres bearing the Alpine logo (photo) comply with the new regulations.
Tread depth The minimum tread depth for tyres in Germany is 1.6 mm. For winter tires, however, a minimum tread depth of 4 mm is recommended, as the tires do not perform optimally at a tread depth of less than 4 mm and lose their winter performance. The German legislator provides for a transitional period during which old tyres can still be used if they were produced before the end of 2017. In Germany, winter tyres are mandatory in winter conditions. Recently, the definition of suitable tyres has been strengthened in German law. Tyres that only have M+S markings are no longer sufficient. The tire must bear the symbol 3PMSF (3 Peak Mountain Snowflake). This is a picture of a mountain with a snowflake on it. There is a transitional regulation for the use of tyres that only have an M+S marking.
These can still be used until September 30, 2024, provided they were manufactured before December 31, 2017. Compliance with existing winter tyre rules is essential. First, there is a so-called “situational obligation” to use winter tyres (yes, it`s obviously “tyres” in British English). If it`s hot around Christmas, no one will be penalized if they use summer tires. But if the roads are frozen in October or at any time, they will. It should be noted that winter tires are not only mandatory in winter; Instead, they are needed in all winter conditions. In practice, this is often considered necessary during the months of October to Easter. Under the new rules, fines have been doubled. Drivers caught with summer tyres in ice, snow or mud will be fined €40 – up from €20 in previous years – and those who cause an accident or obstruct traffic because they used unsuitable tyres in winter conditions will be fined €80 to €40. In addition, some insurance companies may deny coverage to motorists who drive on winter roads with summer tires.
Although the law does not prescribe calendar dates on which winter tires are required, German drivers often use the useful rule of thumb: “from O to O”, which means from O to O – meaning that winter tires are put on in October (October) and must stay until Easter (Easter). Remember that if you do not meet these conditions, you can get a ticket worth 80 euros or more. If you have any questions, contact the USAG Bayern Security Office at DSN 526-2303, CIV 09641-70-526-2303. (This article was compiled from a report by Robert Szostek of the USAREUR Provost Marshal`s Office and other sources.) Drivers who are unsure about winter tire requirements can contact their local vehicle registration or safety authority. For a list of vehicle registration locations and other information about U.S. armed forces driving in Europe, visit the USAREUR Motor Vehicle Registry website in www.hqusareur.army.mil/rmv/default.htm. Berlin: Environmentalists block intersections, involve police in cat-and-mouse game By the way: There are “all-season tires” that can be used year-round. They are generally quite good for the big cities in northern Germany.
Berlin is not Oslo and Hamburg is not Winnipeg. The situation is different in southern Bavaria, where “all-season tyres” may not be enough. German law prescribed by the Bundestag, which prescribes winter tires in freezing conditions, does not provide exact dates, according to ADAC, the German automobile club that offers roadside assistance and air rescue. However, many German motorists adhere to the general “O to O” rule, which means that winter tires are put on in October and should remain until Easter. If you`re not sure if other countries have similar tyre laws, visit the European Road Safety website. For more information on winter driving, see the Army Europe Drivers Handbook and Examination. European winter tyres have two types of markings: a snowflake for winter tyres or M+S for tyres designed for use in mud and snow, or “mud and snow” in German. All-season or all-season tires can also bear the marks and are acceptable for winter driving, but tires designed specifically for snow work better than all-season tires.
Let`s start at the beginning: Germany is located in the northern part of Central Europe, so it`s snowing, at least as long as global warming doesn`t turn this region into a resort with palm trees. From October to March, low to freezing temperatures and snow and ice are to be expected, at least intermittently. Community members can change tires themselves at the Automotive Competence Center. Anyone driving in winter conditions must ensure that their winter tire profile is at least 1.6 millimeters (0.04 inches) deep under German law. At the same time, the German General Automobile Association (ADAC) recommends 4 millimeters (0.16 inches). In this way, the tires have much more grip. It`s time to start worrying about winter tires. Germany has its regulations. In addition, there are recommendations that make sense.
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Warm weather is giving way to cold, which means you should prepare your vehicle for winter now. One important thing to know before hitting the road in winter is that Germany has different tire requirements than the United States. Even all-season tires can carry that M+S symbol, he added. In November 2010, the Bundestag passed a much more specific federal law on winter tyres. This German federal law was amended in 2015 to require winter tyres to be used in freezing conditions. From January 2018, new winter tyres will have to bear the Alpine symbol (a mountain with 3 peaks with a snowflake in the middle). HEIDELBERG, Germany (AP) — A new German Bundestag law that more clearly defines the use of winter tires in Germany went into effect Nov. 29. “A winter tire is a tire marked by the manufacturer with the snowflake logo or the M+S symbol that represents mud and snow,” said Tom Lorenzini of USAREUR Vehicle Registry. With a 2 euro coin, it is easy to determine if the profile is good enough.