{"id":36108,"date":"2023-03-16T13:56:27","date_gmt":"2023-03-16T11:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adremlimburg.nl\/?p=36108"},"modified":"2025-12-02T10:31:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T08:31:45","slug":"driving-without-winter-tyres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adremlimburg.nl\/en\/blog\/rijden-zonder-winterbanden\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you drive in snow without winter tyres abroad?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Within the Netherlands, it is not mandatory to drive with winter tyres in the winter. Due to safety, it is recommended, but there is no liability for the driver in the event of an accident due to the absence of winter tyres. The normal car insurance coverage remains valid. The reasons why it is advisable to swap summer tyres for winter tyres in the Netherlands can be read in this article.<\/a>. However, how is your liability positioned abroad? Is it also permitted to drive in snow without winter tyres there? This blog will answer these questions.<\/p>\n

In which countries is driving in snow not allowed without winter tyres?<\/h2>\n

In some European countries, it is mandatory to drive with winter tyres for a certain period or under specific weather conditions. Additionally, in some countries, snow chains are also a requirement. Therefore, always ensure your car is ready for winter before you travel. This also includes topping up your windscreen washer fluid and wiper fluid in good time. Furthermore, in some countries, windscreen washer fluid is required to contain antifreeze. Would you like more tips on how to drive safely in snowfall? Read our tips for driving in the snow here<\/a>. Naturally, it's also possible that winter weather conditions might catch you out on your journey. Read some helpful tips here that can help you get your car out of the snow.<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Driving<\/p>\n

Germany<\/h3>\n

When winter conditions prevail in Germany, such as snow, ice and frost, it is mandatory to use winter tyres and have antifreeze in the fluids. Non-compliance with these rules can result in a fine, and in the event of an accident, the driver may be held liable for damages.<\/p>\n

Austria<\/h3>\n

In Austria, there's a fixed period when it's mandatory to drive with winter tyres. Between 1st November and 15th April, it is not permitted to drive in snow without winter tyres. If you don't have winter tyres or your tyres have insufficient tread, you risk a fine. If you cause an accident while not having them fitted, the fine can be up to \u20ac5,000.<\/p>\n

\"Driving<\/p>\n

Belgium<\/h3>\n

Just like in the Netherlands, winter tyres are not compulsory in Belgium. However, it is advisable not to drive in snow without winter tyres during winter conditions and in mountainous areas, such as the Ardennes.<\/p>\n

France<\/h3>\n

Although winter tyres are recommended in winter in France, they are not compulsory. However, if you decide to use them, winter tyres must have a tread depth of at least 3.5 millimetres. On certain roads in France, it may be compulsory to use snow chains, which is indicated by special road signs along the relevant roads.<\/p>\n

Italy<\/h3>\n

In some parts of Italy, it is not permitted to drive in the snow without winter tyres. For example, in the Aosta Valley, winter tyres are compulsory from 15 October to 15 April inclusive. In the mountainous north, winter tyres are strongly recommended during the winter months.<\/p>\n

Switzerland<\/h3>\n

In Switzerland, winter tyres are not mandatory, but they are strongly recommended. This is because in the event of an accident, you could be held partially liable if you are not using winter tyres. Furthermore, you could be held liable if your vehicle obstructs other traffic because it is not winter-ready.<\/p>\n

Luxembourg<\/h3>\n

In Luxembourg, driving in snow without winter tyres is not permitted during winter conditions. In this, the Grand Duchy follows the rules of neighbouring Germany.<\/p>\n

Liability and fines for driving without winter tyres<\/h2>\n

When driving in a country where winter tyres are mandatory, but you are using summer tyres, you risk being held liable in the event of an accident. This also applies if you did not cause the accident. It is then believed that the damage could have been prevented if your car had been winter-ready. Your car insurance will cover you, but only partially. Furthermore, you could also receive a fine from the country for violating local traffic regulations. But how are you covered in a rental car? How is insurance arranged for a hired car? Read the answers to these questions in this blog<\/a>. Hiring a holiday car offers several advantages. Read more about renting a holiday car in this blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Snow chains required?<\/h2>\n

Snow chains are only used when extreme winter conditions apply. For example, when you are on mountain roads with a lot of snow. You may only drive fifty kilometres per hour with them and you only use the snow chains for short stretches. On some roads in Europe, snow chains are mandatory. For this purpose, special round traffic signs with a car tyre and snow chain on them are placed along the road. You will find these roads in countries such as Germany, France, Croatia, Norway, Italy and Austria. In Switzerland and Sweden, you are not obliged to use snow chains, but it is recommended on certain mountainous roads.<\/p>\n

Can all-season tyres also?<\/h2>\n

Many people opt to drive with all-season or four-season tyres. These tyres are also permitted in many winter sports regions, provided they bear the snowflake symbol. This alpine symbol has been mandatory since January 2018 in countries including France, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. You'll find the symbol on the car tyre. Nowadays, many people also drive automatic cars, which offer less grip on snow and where the importance of winter tyres or all-season tyres is therefore even greater. Read more about driving an automatic car in the snow in this article<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Binnen Nederland is het niet verplicht om in de winter met winterbanden te rijden. Vanwege de veiligheid wordt het wel aangeraden, maar er is geen aansprakelijkheid bij een ongeval voor de bestuurder vanwege de afwezigheid van winterbanden. De normale dekking van de autoverzekering is van kracht. De redenen waarom je zomerbanden inwisselen voor winterbanden in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":41977,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[94,95,96,97],"class_list":["post-36108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-regels","tag-wet","tag-winterbanden","tag-wintersport"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adremlimburg.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adremlimburg.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adremlimburg.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adremlimburg.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adremlimburg.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36108"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/adremlimburg.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41976,"href":"https:\/\/adremlimburg.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36108\/revisions\/41976"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adremlimburg.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adremlimburg.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adremlimburg.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adremlimburg.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}