Tyre regulations on ski jobs

[Special K]

Gents please can someone please advise on the following rest room disagreements

1. What are the correct regulations with regards to snow tyres if you are going on a ski job to Austria, France, Italy or Switzerland ?

Should they be fitted ? Is it a legal requirement for all or some countries ?

2. If they should be fitted in one or all of the european countries and are a legal agreement who does the onus fall on ? The driver or the company ?

Basically I am trying to find out if our company decides not to fit them as they have in the past IF we get stopped who is to blame

Thanks for your assistance :pipe1:

[Victor Meldrew]

Well, thats a good one, Special K!

My contribution, for what it's worth, is that coach tyres in UK are mostly to a summer specification not at all suitable for sub-zero snow and ice running.

My rule of thumb is that if you drive in Austria in the winter the tyre side wall must say something like M&S (as in mud and snow) or some other legend relating to snow use. This applies to the driven axle only and both the inside and outside tyre on each side.

You can be stopped at the border and prevented from going further if you don't comply. Who pays any fine is a good question. the cost of getting the passengers on to their final destination may be penalty enough.

Oh and I believe it is compulsory to carry chains. Don't forget to do a trial fit before you go. I did a trial fit on the coach chains in the autumn in a coach park in Spain in preparation for the winter. Sure enough, I found the coach had the wrong chains despite everyone telling me not to worry.

No doubt we have members here who have much more recent and relevant experience on this subject, it's been a couple of years now since I did a skier.

Victor.

[mikesmith2]

Austria and germany have now made it a legal requirement for all coaches to be fitted with winter tyres.

If the vehicle isn't and is stopped you will have to buy the correct tyres before they will release it.

This applies to all jobs during the winter not just skiers.

[flexit]

This should make it easy.... extract from Continental tyres website....

1. Legal Situation

European markets have their own legislation regarding winter tyre fitments that are specific to the respective local country. The strictest legislation regarding winter tyre fitments currently in place is in Austria where the law is clear and precise. The current laws for countries in snow covered areas of mainland Europe are as follows:

Austria

Snow chains are required on roads where signs say "Schneeketten vorgeschrieben"
Snow chains must be fitted to at least 2 drive tyres
Winter tyres are compulsory on roads signposted "Winterausruestung erforderlich"
Driver is responsible for ensuring tyres meet with road and weather conditions
Commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW must have the same type of tyre on each axle
Minimum tread depth for commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW is 5mm for radial tyres and 6mm for cross ply tyres
M&S stamped tyres must be on at least 1 drive axle
Timescale when these conditions apply is November 15 to March 15 every year

Germany

Snow chains are required on snow covered roads to meet with the relevant road signs
Chains should be fitted to drive axles
Minimum tread depth is 4mm for winter tyres
20 Euro penalty if tyres don’t comply with weather conditions
40 Euro penalty if obstruction of traffic is caused by inadequate tyre fitment

Italy

Snow chains are required when necessary or in accordance with road signs
Minimum tread depth is 1.6mm but Continental recommends 4mm

France

Snow chains are required on snow covered roads where signs say "Equipements speciaux obligatoires"
Minimum tread depth is 1mm but Continental recommends 4mm

Switzerland

Snow chains are required on roads where signs say "Chaines a neige obligatoires"
Minimum tread depth is 1.6mm but Continental recommends 4mm

What does this mean?

Truck or coach operators who are therefore planning to travel to snow covered areas of Europe during the winter season need to ensure that their tyres and vehicles comply with the respective local legislation. If not the driver may suffer financial penalties and may even be prevented from entering or travelling through that country.
Whilst the laws differ from country to country operators can rest assured in the knowledge that if they meet the requirements in Austria they will be covered for all other countries of mainland Europe.

The relevant link is:
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/transport/general/hidden/winter_tyre_guide/guide_en.pdf