From 1 November, winter tyres or chains are required again in France's mountains: where the rule applies, what counts as a winter tyre, and the most common mistake

From 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, the winter-equipment obligation applies again in France's mountain areas: either winter tyres, or chains or textile snow socks carried in the vehicle. The rule is not new — it has applied since 2021 — but every autumn it catches out people spending their first winter in France. Service-Public published its reminder on 20 October 2026.

Where it applies

Not across the whole country, and not even across a whole department. The obligation covers 34 departments in mountain ranges — the Alps, Corsica, the Massif Central, the Jura, the Pyrenees and the Vosges. Within each of them, the prefect sets the list of communes where the rule applies.

Signs mark the entry to and exit from each zone, and a panel states the winter period. Service-Public notes that without this signage the measure cannot be enforced. The official lists of communes are published by the Délégation à la sécurité routière on securite-routiere.gouv.fr.

In practice, the rule is tied to where you are driving, not where you live. If you head to the mountains for a weekend or a school holiday from Paris, Lille or Bordeaux, it applies to you too — as soon as the road enters a listed commune.

Which vehicles

All vehicles with four or more wheels: cars, light vans, camper vans (camping-cars), coaches, buses and lorries.

What exactly is required

Cars, vans and camper vans — one of two options:

• carry removable anti-skid devices able to equip at least two driving wheels. Service-Public recommends metal chains for frequent use and textile snow socks for occasional use;
• or be fitted with four winter tyres.

Vehicles on studded tyres are exempt.

Coaches, buses and lorries without a trailer — winter tyres or chains (or equivalent removable devices).

Lorries with a trailer or semi-trailer — must carry removable devices for at least two driving wheels, even when fitted with winter tyres.

The most common mistake: "but I have winter tyres"

Under this rule, only tyres marked 3PMSF count as winter tyres. Other tyres sold as "snow" tyres can still be used, but with them chains or socks must still be in the vehicle. So before relying on your tyres, look at the marking, not at the word "winter" on the receipt.

The second mistake is buying whatever chains are on the shelf. Service-Public warns that removable devices must suit your wheel size and the clearance between the wheel and the bodywork. Better to check that at home than on the hard shoulder in a snowstorm.

Before you set off

1. Check whether communes on your route are on the prefecture's list (securite-routiere.gouv.fr).
2. Check your tyre marking: 3PMSF on all four — chains are not required under this rule; otherwise — chains or socks must be in the vehicle.
3. If you rent a car for a mountain trip between November and March, ask how it is equipped when booking: the rule covers any vehicle with four or more wheels driving in the zone.
4. Try fitting the chains in advance.

Where the rule comes from

The basis is the law of 28 December 2016 on mountain areas (loi n° 2016-1888) and the decree of 16 October 2020 (n° 2020-1264). The obligation has applied since 2021, and, as Service-Public states, this season runs until 31 March 2027.

The Service-Public note does not mention any fines or amounts, and we do not quote figures that the official source does not give.