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New winter tire requirement: Alpine symbol becomes a cost trap!
From October 2024, a new winter tire requirement will apply in Germany. Only tires with the Alpine symbol are permitted, otherwise there will be high penalties.
New winter tire requirement: Alpine symbol becomes a cost trap!
Cars are an important means of transport in Germany and safety on the roads is a top priority. A new regulation that will come into force on October 1, 2024 will change the requirements for winter tires and could cost some drivers dearly. This particularly affects those who relied on the outdated “M+S” label.
From October, all winter tires must bear the Alpine symbol, which is conveyed by an image of a mountain with a snowflake. The M+S label, which stands for “mud and snow”, is no longer sufficient as it is not subjected to the strict winter suitability tests. This market change aims to increase road safety and ensure that only tires that are actually suitable for winter conditions are used.
New requirements for winter tires
The switch to the new symbol was decided on in 2018, but until now a transition period applied to drivers who bought their tires before December 2017. The Automobile Club Verkehr (ACV) has explained that it is important to ensure the correct tires as the M+S marking is not legally protected. This means that tires with this symbol did not have to undergo any specific winter suitability tests.
The labeling that is now required is intended to set clear standards that are based on actual conditions. Anyone caught with winter tires without the Alpine symbol will face fines. In wintry road conditions there is a fine of 60 euros and one point in Flensburg. If this hinders other road users, the fine increases to 80 euros and to 100 euros if there is a danger. In the worst case, if an accident occurs, the fine can even be 120 euros and result in two points in Flensburg. This means drivers could find themselves in trouble not only financially but also in terms of their insurance if they ignore the new rules.
What is particularly noticeable is that winter tires are mandatory in Austria from November onwards, which is accompanied by higher fines. The difference to Germany shows that neighboring countries have significantly stricter regulations when it comes to road safety.
Checking the tires
The new regulation will encourage many drivers to check their tires immediately. Not only the symbol is particularly important, but also the tread depth. A good tread depth ensures the necessary grip on slippery roads. Safety should always come first - especially when temperatures drop and the weather becomes changeable.
The situational winter tire requirement that exists in Germany binds drivers to the obligation to equip their vehicles for winter when winter conditions exist. Simply put: If snow, black ice or slush determine the road conditions, winter tires are mandatory. Nobody wants to get stuck in traffic in winter or even risk accidents just because they stuck to the wrong tires.
The regulations show the effort to make road traffic safer and avoid accidents. According to the ADAC, it is crucial to be well informed before the next winter season and, if necessary, to get new tires. So anyone who has relied on old tires in the past year should act quickly.
For more information about the new regulations, the reader could take a look at the detailed articles on the Internet, such as www.merkur.de, where the background and details of the changes are explained in detail.