Does the winter tyre requirement for trucks in Germany apply from a fixed date?

No. It depends on the weather: in black ice, slippery snow, slush, slippery ice or slippery frost (StVO § 2 Abs. 3a). The StVO does not give a date.

Which axles of a truck need winter tyres?

For vehicles of categories M2, M3, N2 and N3, winter tyres on the wheels of the permanently driven axles and of the front steered axles are sufficient (StVO § 2 Abs. 3a).

Do trucks in Germany have to carry snow chains?

Neither the StVO nor the StVZO contains a general requirement to carry them. Where Zeichen 268 is posted, driving is only allowed with snow chains; with chains, the maximum is 50 km/h (StVO Anlage 2, § 3 Abs. 4).

What fines does the Bußgeldkatalog provide for?

Driving without suitable tyres in slippery conditions: €60, with obstruction €80. If the keeper orders or allows the vehicle to be used: €75 (Bußgeldkatalog Nr. 5a, 5a.1, 213a; Regelsätze, i.e. standard fines).

Winter tyre requirement for trucks in Germany

What applies

Requirements in wintry conditions by vehicle
Vehicles	When	Requirement	Legal basis
Motor vehicles in general	in black ice, slippery snow, slush, slippery ice or slippery frost	All wheels with winter tyres within the meaning of § 36 Abs. 4 StVZO	StVO § 2 Abs. 3a Satz 1
Trucks and buses M2, M3, N2, N3	in black ice, slippery snow, slush, slippery ice or slippery frost	At least the wheels of the permanently driven axles and of the front steered axles with winter tyres	StVO § 2 Abs. 3a
Trucks over 7.5 t, also with trailer, and tractor units	in slippery snow or black ice; with visibility up to 50 m due to snowfall or rain	Do not use the far-left lane	StVO § 18 Abs. 11
Vehicles that must be marked because they carry dangerous goods	with visibility below 50 m, slippery snow or black ice	Rule out any danger to others and, if necessary, go to the nearest suitable place to park	StVO § 2 Abs. 3a

Which tyres

Tyres for wintry weather conditions are pneumatic tyres that, thanks to their tread, rubber compound or construction, pull away, stabilise the vehicle and brake better in snow than normal tyres. They must also bear the Alpine symbol: the mountain pictogram with snowflake under UNECE Regulation No 117. § 36 Abs. 4 does not set a separate minimum tread depth for winter tyres; for all pneumatic tyres, at least 1.6 mm applies in the principal grooves (§ 36 Abs. 3).

Source StVZO § 36 Abs. 3 und 4 (Profiltiefe, Reifen für winterliche Wetterverhältnisse) · gesetze-im-internet.de (nichtamtliche Fassung) · last amended by Art. 1 V v. 10.6.2024 · accessed 05/10/2026 · checked on 06/10/2026

Exceptions

Allowed without winter tyres

Agricultural and forestry commercial vehicles.
Single-track motor vehicles.
Forklift trucks (§ 2 Nr. 18 FZV) and motorised wheelchairs (§ 2 Nr. 13 FZV).
Emergency vehicles of the organisations listed in § 35 Abs. 1 StVO, if no suitable winter tyres exist for them because of their design.
Special vehicles for which, because of their design, no tyres of categories C1, C2 or C3 are available.

Then, in slippery conditions

Before every journey, check whether it is necessary because the destination cannot be reached by other means of transport.
Distance to the vehicle in front, in metres, at least half the speedometer reading in km/h.
Maximum 50 km/h, unless a lower speed is required.

Snow chains

Where Zeichen 268 ‘Schneeketten vorgeschrieben’ (snow chains compulsory) is posted, the road may only be used with snow chains (StVO Anlage 2).
With snow chains, the maximum is 50 km/h even under the most favourable conditions (StVO § 3 Abs. 4).
The chains must not damage the road surface and must be easy to fit, remove and retighten (StVZO § 37 Abs. 2).
Neither the StVO (German road traffic regulations) nor the StVZO (German vehicle licensing regulations) contains a general requirement to carry snow chains.

Source StVO Anlage 2, lfd. Nr. 42: Zeichen 268 „Schneeketten vorgeschrieben“ · gesetze-im-internet.de (nichtamtliche Fassung) · last amended by Art. 4 V v. 30.1.2026 · accessed 05/10/2026 · checked on 06/10/2026

Source StVO § 3 Abs. 4 (Höchstgeschwindigkeit mit Schneeketten) · gesetze-im-internet.de (nichtamtliche Fassung) · last amended by Art. 4 V v. 30.1.2026 · accessed 05/10/2026 · checked on 06/10/2026

Source StVZO § 37 Abs. 2 (Beschaffenheit von Schneeketten) · gesetze-im-internet.de (nichtamtliche Fassung) · last amended by Art. 1 V v. 10.6.2024 · accessed 05/10/2026 · checked on 06/10/2026

Fines

Regelsätze (standard fines) in the Bußgeldkatalog (catalogue of fines)
No.	Offence	Regelsatz (standard fine)
5a	Driving in black ice, slippery snow, slush, slippery ice or slippery frost without winter tyres under § 36 Abs. 4 StVZO	€60
5a.1	the same, with obstruction	€80
6	Dangerous goods: with visibility below 50 m, slippery snow or black ice, danger to others not ruled out, e.g. the nearest suitable parking place not used	€140
87a	Truck over 7.5 t or tractor unit in the far-left lane in slippery snow, black ice or visibility up to 50 m	€80
213a	As keeper, ordered or allowed the vehicle to be used in slippery conditions without suitable tyres	€75

Source Bußgeldkatalog-Verordnung, Anlage (Bußgeldkatalog), Nr. 5a, 5a.1, 6, 87a, 213a · gesetze-im-internet.de (nichtamtliche Fassung) · last amended by Art. 4 V v. 12.8.2026 · accessed 05/10/2026 · checked on 06/10/2026

Wording

§ 2 Abs. 3a, erster SatzDer Führer eines Kraftfahrzeuges darf dies bei Glatteis, Schneeglätte, Schneematsch, Eisglätte oder Reifglätte nur fahren, wenn alle Räder mit Reifen ausgerüstet sind, die unbeschadet der allgemeinen Anforderungen an die Bereifung den Anforderungen des § 36 Absatz 4 der Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung genügen.
§ 2 Abs. 3a, Lkw und BusseKraftfahrzeuge der Klassen M2, M3, N2, N3 dürfen bei solchen Wetterbedingungen auch gefahren werden, wenn mindestens die Räder 1. der permanent angetriebenen Achsen und 2. der vorderen Lenkachsen mit Reifen ausgerüstet sind, die unbeschadet der allgemeinen Anforderungen an die Bereifung den Anforderungen des § 36 Absatz 4 der Straßenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung genügen.

Unofficial version from gesetze-im-internet.de. The promulgation in the Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette) is authoritative.

Frequently asked questions

Does the winter tyre requirement for trucks in Germany apply from a fixed date?: No. It depends on the weather: in black ice, slippery snow, slush, slippery ice or slippery frost (StVO § 2 Abs. 3a). The StVO does not give a date.
Which axles of a truck need winter tyres?: For vehicles of categories M2, M3, N2 and N3, winter tyres on the wheels of the permanently driven axles and of the front steered axles are sufficient (StVO § 2 Abs. 3a).
Which tyres count as winter tyres in Germany?: Tyres with the Alpine symbol, the mountain pictogram with snowflake under UNECE Regulation No 117 (StVZO § 36 Abs. 4).
Do trucks in Germany have to carry snow chains?: Neither the StVO nor the StVZO contains a general requirement to carry them. Where Zeichen 268 is posted, driving is only allowed with snow chains; with chains, the maximum is 50 km/h (StVO Anlage 2, § 3 Abs. 4).
What fines does the Bußgeldkatalog provide for?: Driving without suitable tyres in slippery conditions: €60, with obstruction €80. If the keeper orders or allows the vehicle to be used: €75 (Bußgeldkatalog Nr. 5a, 5a.1, 213a; Regelsätze, i.e. standard fines).

Source and status

Source StVO § 2 Abs. 3a (Bereifung bei Glätte) · gesetze-im-internet.de (nichtamtliche Fassung) · last amended by Art. 4 V v. 30.1.2026 · accessed 05/10/2026 · checked on 06/10/2026