Winter Tyres for Germany

Grammarian47
Grammarian47 Forum Participant Posts: 14
edited September 2018 in Towcars & Towing #1

I am likely to be driving in Germany 30th Nov to 3rd Dec to take part in a Xmas market (my ukulele group is performing). I have been told that at this time of year I will need to have winter tyres fitted and if found without them I will face a fine. Is this correct?

 

Comments

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #2

    It is correct up to a point, you do not necessarily need 'winter tyres' as 'All Season with the M+S' marking will suffice, this is a tyre that lives on my car all year round rather than swap to winter tyres when that part of the year comes around.

    Without either of these tyres in winter months you could attract a nice fine if caught. I believe their winter period starts from end of October.

  • ChrisRogers
    ChrisRogers Forum Participant Posts: 435
    edited September 2018 #3

    Get some Vredestein Quatrac 5 all season tyres, they have the 3 peaked snowflake, M&S symbols on and are classed as 'winter', saves changing tyres.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2018 #4

    There is no specified time period when winter tyres have to be fitted in Germany. The law only says that the tyres must be suitable for the conditions (and that doesn't only mean ice and snow, but also cold but dry weather, too). If it's a very mild winter one can get by without winter tyres altogether, but it's a bit of a gamble in case there are a couple of cold days.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,669 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #5

    We also drive on Mud and Snow  tyres all year round, much easier and gives us good grip on site grass.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited September 2018 #6

    so if they are classed as winter then not as good in summer and if he has summer tyres on now then he would have to change them anyway. undecided

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,669 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #7

    We had those on our previous towcar, Volvo XC90, they were excellent and gave good wear too.

    Classed as "all season", but do have the M+S marking which makes them legal to use as winter tyres in countries where these are required.

    They coped well in some heavy snow we had here one year, also on ice, wet grass, wet roads and dry roads, so a good choice.

  • ChrisRogers
    ChrisRogers Forum Participant Posts: 435
    edited September 2018 #8

    Very good in summer, they also have a sunshine symbol on the tyre side wallsmilesmile

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited September 2018 #9

    Never heard of these, until our new to us tow car came with them.  Got to say very impressed so far only been on roads and wet grass so not extreme conditions but quiet and seem to go in the direction I pointed it.  

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #10

    Does the caravan also need winter tyres if the towing vehicle has them?

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2018 #11

    Theoretically yes, but I believe it's not enforced.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #12

    Might be after Brexitsmile. Thanks for replying Lutz.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #13

    The C&CC have a fuller answer to this point in their latest magazine. Basically you should have them as if it snows then you are required to have them.

    It is correct that they have to be appropriate for the conditions at the time, which makes the exact conditions when you need them a matter of opinion, so better safe than sorry.

  • Cherokee2015
    Cherokee2015 Forum Participant Posts: 392
    edited September 2018 #14

    Great question as we are also going to Germany 27 Nov - 2 December to visit our son who lives there.    Son tells us that it is a requirement after 1 \November, however the fine is 40E per tyre, which is still considerably cheaper than changing 5 tyres to winter ones.     

    I've yet to check our Jeep to see what is on it, however we will do prior to the visit.    We will also be visiting the Christmas markets - looking forward to it.

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