From 1 November 2021 until 31 March 2022, several French départements, including Ain and Haute-Savoie, will require cars to be equipped with winter tyres or to have snow chains in the boot.

The aim of the new regulation is to enhance road safety by reducing the risks associated with driving on snowy or icy roads. It will also help to avoid traffic congestion in mountainous regions, where unequipped vehicles can slide and block lanes, thereby immobilising entire traffic axes.

Breaches of the new regulation will be tolerated this winter and penalised as of next, but everyone is strongly encouraged to comply.

More information on the regulation can be found on the French road safety agency’s website (French only).

A full list of the départements and municipalities concerned can be found here.