Mandatory winter tyres in Germany: is the fine calculated per wheel or per vehicle?

With the start of winter and the first snowfall in Germany, one question keeps coming up among drivers: Is the fine for unsuitable tyres imposed per wheel, or for the entire vehicle?

The short answer is: the fine is imposed on the driver (not per tyre) – but in some cases it can also affect the owner of the vehicle.

What does the law say?

According to Section 2 (3a) StVO (German Road Traffic Regulations), vehicles must be fitted with winter tyres (Winterreifen) or all-weather tyres (Allwetterreifen) bearing the M+S marking or the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF) whenever there are winter road conditions, such as:

• Packed snow

• Ice

• Slush

• Black ice or frosty surfaces

There is therefore no fixed calendar period for winter tyres, but rather a situational winter tyre requirement that depends on weather and road conditions.

What is the fine for non-compliance?

If a driver is caught driving without suitable tyres under winter conditions, the following penalties may apply:

• Driving without suitable winter tyres:
  – €60 fine
  – 1 point in the Flensburg driving record

• If traffic is obstructed:
  – €80 fine
  – 1 point

• If there is a concrete danger to others:
  – €100 fine
  – 1 point

• If an accident occurs due to unsuitable tyres:
  – €120 fine
  – 1 point

Important:
The fine is not calculated “per wheel”; it relates to the overall condition of the vehicle and the behaviour of the driver in the specific situation.

What about the vehicle owner?

If the driver is not the owner of the vehicle and is driving with inadequate tyres, the owner can also be fined:

• Owner’s fine: €75

• 1 point in Flensburg

This is because the vehicle owner is legally responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is in a safe and roadworthy condition, including appropriate tyres in winter conditions.

Are all-weather tyres sufficient?

• Yes, if they carry the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, which has been the recognised standard since 2018.

• M+S-only tyres without the 3PMSF symbol have no longer been legally recognised as proper winter tyres since January 2024 (with only narrow transitional exceptions for older tyres).

Conclusion:

• The fine is not imposed per wheel, but depends on the overall condition of the vehicle under winter conditions.

• The penalty is directed primarily at the driver, but in some cases also at the vehicle owner.

• Using winter tyres or suitable all-weather tyres is a legal requirement whenever roads are covered with snow, ice or frost.

• A seemingly small issue like “wrong tyres” can quickly lead to serious legal consequences if it coincides with an accident or a dangerous situation.

Make sure your car is properly equipped before the first frost or snowfall – the law is strict on negligence, and winter tyres are far more than just “rubber on four wheels”.

The editorial team of this website aims to provide accurate information based on careful research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or legal rules may change over time. For this reason, the information in this article should be regarded as an initial point of reference, and you should always contact the competent authorities or professional bodies for binding and up-to-date information.