Italy bans winter tyres in summer

If you’re heading to Italy this summer and you’ve forgotten to swap your winter tyres for summer ones, you should quickly book an appointment before leaving. After all, the wrong tyres on your vehicle can take a big chunk out of your holiday budget. 

What’s this all about? In Italy, winter tyres are compulsory wherever indicated by road signs. They are also required in areas such as the Aosta Valley from 15 October to 15 April. However, due to a change in Italian traffic laws, there is now also a ban on driving with winter tyres outside that period. This specifically concerns tyres that have the M+S or 3PMSF label (with a snowflake against a three-peaked mountain) as well as a speed rating lower than the one shown on the vehicle registration certificate.

This ban is applicable to all motor vehicles as well as trailers. The rule was introduced on 15 April but will be effectively enforced from 15 May, and non-compliance can result in fines ranging from 431 to 1 734 euros. Your vehicle could also be declared unroadworthy until it is fitted with the right tyres.

While it may not be the first thing that springs to mind, you should make sure to check both your tyres and the applicable rules in your destination country before taking your vehicle on a summer or winter holiday. 

Anyone planning a holiday in Belgium should also be aware of the following: if your vehicle has tyres with the M+S marking but no 3PMSF marking, and the speed rating is lower than your vehicle’s maximum speed, that means the vehicle may only be driven from 1 October to 30 April. You can learn everything you need to know about tyres and tyre changes at KBC Autolease.