Winter tyre laws in France
Winter tyres (or chains) are required between 1 November and 31 March on signed roads or in designated areas.
France (Loi Montagne) requires winter tyres or carried chains/socks from 1 November to 31 March in designated mountain municipalities.
- Rule
- Regional
- Period
- 1 November – 31 March
Last verified 2 November 2026. Informational only, not legal advice. · Official source
From when do the winter tyre rules apply in France?
The rule applies from 1 November to 31 March. France (Loi Montagne) requires winter tyres or carried chains/socks from 1 November to 31 March in designated mountain municipalities.
When should you change to winter tyres before driving in France?
Legal dates are a minimum, not the best date. Winter tyres grip better once the average temperature stays below about 7 °C, and before the first frost or snow. The calculator works out the best days for any town.
Whatever the law says, the temperature decides how well your tyres grip. Use the calculator for dates tailored to your town and driving profile. Calculator