Requirement to carry snow chains

Between 1 November and 15 April, all lorries with a maximum permitted (laden) weight of over 3.5 t, all buses, and any other vehicles based on their designs, must carry snow chains that can be fitted to at least two of the driven wheels.

The snow chains must only be used when they are necessary. When in use (i.e., when the road is covered by a more or less continuous layer of snow or ice) they must be attached such that they do not damage the road surface.

The following categories of vehicles are exempt from this requirement:

• Vehicles whose design means they cannot be fitted with snow chains.
• Vehicles that are designed to perform a specific purpose that means they will only be used when the roads are free of snow and ice.
• Class M2 and M3 vehicles (buses) used on public bus services.
• Vehicles being transferred to coach builders or customers, provided that the route used for the journey is free of snow.

Legal basis

section 102 of the Kraftfahrgesetz (KFG)