I am planning a trip to the Alps this winter and plan to use the motorail from Hamburg in Germany to Austria, during my research I read somewhere that studded tires are not allowed in Germany.
Is that really true, or is it possible to pay a tax or something for passing through Germany with studded tires?
It feels like a waste to buy an extra set of winter tires without studs for only 5 hours driving in Germany.
24th Oct 2010 5:57 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73131
That was my understanding, studded tyres were banned in Germany like in UK.
And winter tyres are now compulsory by law from November 1st till March in Germany and Austria on all roads. For residents and tourists/visitors.
So if you are passing through Germany, the decision has basically been made for you.The next American ex-pat that calls it a "truck" is going to find out what 2.7 tons feels like on their foot...
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24th Oct 2010 7:32 pm
MartinR
Member Since: 27 Jan 2008
Location: Oxon
Posts: 708
Typical, I put a fresh set of tires on last wednesday.
I think the LR dealer use winter tires without studs, he might be willing to switch for a week, worth a try..
What is up with banning studded tires anyways? The snow and ice get polished if no one drives with studs or chains and sipes are useless when there is nothing to grip on to.
Thanks for the help guys!
24th Oct 2010 9:22 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73131
Thought it was coz the roads are cleared Tarmac, not ice/compacted snow, so studs would chew them up.
You got it DSL. Most roads are cleared down to the tarmac so studs/spikes damage road surface. Any road not cleared to that level are generally passable with winter tyres or wintertyres+chains.LRs are a fond memory, apart from the maintenance.
25th Oct 2010 8:32 am
flydive
Member Since: 21 Aug 2007
Location: Lugano
Posts: 1536
Germany: Studded tires not allowed, snow tires mandatory if snow or ice on the road
Austria: Studded tires allowed from nov. 1st to may 31st on all wheels(trailer included) from nov.1st to apr. 15nt if snow or ice on the road
Switzerland: Studded tires allowed from oct. 24rd to april 30th(80 Km/h sticker mandatory) If your country allows longer you can use them, prohibited on the highways . Snow tires not mandatory, but if you cause traffic problem you can be fined.
This is the latest I got, but you probably better check with a local automobile club.
Winter tires are tires with a softer rubber compound and a lot more sipes than you find on summer and all-year tires.
The negative sides with winter tires is a much shorter life time in warm weather, a longer braking distance on warm and dry roads and lower performance in standing water because of a thread pattern that is optimized for snow and slush instead of water.
Winter tires can often be bought with, or without studs.
Studded tires are better on ice, but they are pretty much the same on snow.
In other words, they are tires designed especially for areas with cold winters where summer and all-year tires have a too hard rubber compound to maintain a safe grip.
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