Winter has arrived and with it the obligation to travel with winter tyres, snow chains or snow socks. An obligation that also starts this year November 15th in most Italian regions and provinces.
In fact, starting today, it becomes obligatory circulate with cold weather equipment on most Italian roads and motorways. Here’s everything you need to know about ordinances, types of equipment and more.
More safety in general
Fit winter tires on your car, as we have remembered for many years now, it is a question of safety not only in case of snow or mud on the road, but also in case of simple rain.
As tires designed for less than ideal weather conditions, in fact, winter tires offer additional safety even with wet or slippery road surfaces, especially in those Italian regions where the temperature is usually close to freezing during the colder months.
Snow chains, the legal alternative to the double set of tires or all-season tyres, are instead useful in emergency situations. abundant snow or heavily frozen surfaces and are convenient for those who live in particularly hot or maritime areas as an item to keep in the trunk for any checks.
The wording M+S (Mud and Snow) and the symbol of a mountain with a snowflake inside on winter tires
Mandatory winter tires, where?
Where is it mandatory to drive with winter tires? Each Italian region has its own ordinances for winter equipment, with various clear distinctions depending on the climate. In fact, if in Valle d’Aosta and Piedmont the obligation extends across practically the entire territory, in the south there are provinces where you can drive all year round with summer tires and without chains or snow socks on board.
Winter tires are mandatory, who can not fit them?
If you usually travel on roads in provinces where winter equipment is compulsory, for example non If you need to install winter tyres, your car must necessarily be equipped with either 4-season tires suitable for winter circulation – therefore with speed and weight codes as reported in the vehicle registration document and the wording M+S with snowflake – or with approved chains in the boot.
Only in these cases is it permitted to travel without specifically winter tires on roads that require them.
The tread of a 4-season tire approved as winter
