Winter tyres in Luxembourg: obligation, dates and fine

What the law says

The rule is set out in article 160 of the Highway Code (Code de la route, the Grand-Ducal decree of 23 November 1955), supplemented by a Grand-Ducal regulation of 10 September 2012, in force since 1 October 2012.

It fits in one sentence: in black ice, packed snow, slush, patches of ice or frost, a motor vehicle may only be driven on public roads with regulatory winter tyres fitted on all wheels.

Three useful details:

• A parked car or one stationary on a public road isn't covered: the obligation concerns driving.
• Heavy goods vehicles, buses, coaches, and motorhomes over 3,500 kg: only the wheels of the drive axles need to be fitted. A van up to 3,500 kg follows the rule for cars: all wheels.
• Not covered: mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles, tractors and self-propelled machinery.

Which tyres are accepted

M+S or alpine symbol? In Luxembourg, both are accepted. The alpine symbol is the mountain and snowflake pictogram. If you often drive into Germany, go for this symbol instead (see below).

Speed rating lower than your car's? This is allowed for an M+S tyre, provided you display the maximum speed permitted for these tyres inside the passenger compartment, within your field of vision.

Which dates in practice

The only real calendar set by the Highway Code concerns studded tyres: they are only allowed in December, January and February, and in other months only in snow, black ice or a risk of snow or black ice. For ordinary winter tyres, the road decides (see the box above).

If your car has to go for its roadworthiness test during the winter, take the technical documents for your winter rims and tyres with you: if they don't have the dimensions listed on the certificate of conformity, an approval procedure may be required.

Chains and studded tyres

Chains (and other non-built-in anti-skid devices) are allowed all year round, but only in snow, black ice or a risk of snow or black ice. Where the “Snow chains mandatory” sign (signal D,9) is posted, you must drive with chains on at least two drive wheels.

Studded tyres are allowed on cars up to 3,500 kg, with strict rules:

• Period: December, January and February, and in other months only in snow, black ice or a risk of snow or black ice.
• All wheels fitted.
• Maximum speed: 90 km/h on motorways, 70 km/h on other roads.
• White “70” disc at the back of the car. A car registered abroad may display the sign required by its own country.
• At most 110 studs per tyre.

What you risk

Driving without winter tyres in winter conditions is punished by a 74 € avertissement taxé (a fixed fine), listed in the Highway Code's catalogue of fixed fines. And your car is immobilised on the spot (Police grand-ducale (ouvre dans un nouvel onglet)).

Other tyre defects cost more. Main grooves below 1.6 mm deep: 145 € and 2 points off your licence. Studded tyres outside the authorised period: 74 €.

Cross-border workers and cars registered abroad

The Luxembourg rule applies to all drivers, whatever the plate: cross-border workers, cars in transit. Your tyres comply in Luxembourg if they bear the M+S marking or the alpine symbol. As soon as you cross the border, it's the rules of the neighbouring country that count (table below).

Moving to Luxembourg with your car? Remember to register it here within the deadlines.

Winter tyres: Luxembourg, France, Belgium, Germany

Germany: the alpine symbol, not M+S. The rule is similar to Luxembourg's (StVO, § 2, paragraph 3a), but the German code (StVZO, § 36) only accepts as winter tyres those bearing the alpine symbol (mountain and snowflake). A tyre marked only M+S can therefore comply in Luxembourg and not in Germany. The amounts come from the official German catalogue of fines (Bußgeldkatalog).

France: only in the mountains. Every winter, from 1 November to 31 March, the mountain municipalities designated by the prefects of 34 departments (Alps, Corsica, Massif Central, Jura, Pyrenees, Vosges) require four winter tyres or chains or snow socks in the vehicle (Sécurité routière (ouvre dans un nouvel onglet)). Signs mark the entry and exit of these zones. According to Service-Public (ouvre dans un nouvel onglet), only tyres bearing the alpine symbol (3PMSF) exempt you from chains; with other snow tyres, you also need chains or snow socks. Check the list of municipalities on your route before you leave.

Belgium: no winter tyre obligation. The Belgian highway code (ouvre dans un nouvel onglet) doesn't require winter tyres, even in snow or black ice, and only allows chains in snow or black ice (article 81.4.4). It bans studded tyres, except by derogation: a ministerial decree of 28 September 1976 (ouvre dans un nouvel onglet) allows them from 1 November to 31 March, on vehicles of 3.5 tonnes or less, with all wheels fitted, at 90 km/h maximum on motorways and on roads with at least two lanes in each direction, 60 km/h elsewhere, with a “60” disc at the back.