driving in Germany and Poland in winter: legislation?

[VJ]

Hello,

Need some advice from Murcers in Germany and Poland...
When driving in Germany in winter, does one need special things? (winter tyres, ...)

The aim is just to drive through Germany (autobahn) on the way to Poland.

And what about the legislation in Poland?

thanks!

Jörg

[Lambo-Fan]

AS FAR AS I KNOW there's no general law in Germany that says that you have to use winter tires. On the other hand the legislation says that the use of winter tires depends on the weather situation. If someone driving on normal tires in extreme weather conditions (for example heavy snowfall) causes an accident he can be blaimed.
Consequence: It's always a good idea to use winter tires when driving in Germany in winter.

P.S: If you understand some german you can google "Winterreifenpflicht in Deutschland".

[Brian Ellis]

Can't answer for Germany or Poland, but in Switzerland most drivers shod their cars with snow tyres each winter and ordinary tyres come the spring. They also carried chains in the boot, even if they never left the plain. It can otherwise be embarrassing if there's a 50 cm snowfall, even on the Autobahnen. I've been very glad to have good snow tyres many times and also chains on a few occasions, even at low altitudes.

Make sure you put a special antifreeze detergent in your windscreen pisser and good blades on the wipers. Carry a good blanket on the back seat and some water/chocolate. I never needed to use them, but roads can get blocked for hours, even overnight, if some idiot on summer tyres tries to overtake everyone else (and there are always idiots).

Bon voyage!

[VJ]

AS FAR AS I KNOW there's no general law in Germany that says that you have to use winter tires. On the other hand the legislation says that the use of winter tires depends on the weather situation.

Yes, that is what I thought it was: not mandatory by the letter of the law, but implied by it. I just wasn't sure there was no distinction made between mountains, and regular roads or so.

if some idiot on summer tyres tries to overtake everyone else (and there are always idiots).

Subtle... very subtle!

Thanks guys!

Oh, what about the spare tire? Does it also need to be a winter tire or not?
(in my car, the spare tire is of regular size, not such a small emergency thingy)

Jörg

[Brian Ellis]

AFAIK, there is no obligation to carry a spare tyre, so it doesn't have to be a given type. I always had a summer tyre as spare, although I never recall having to use it, either, in winter, in 35 Swiss winters. Snow tyres are very tough: only the outer tread is a high-hysteresis rubber.

[UtwigMU]

Here it's mandatory to have winter equipment (either winter tires on wheels or chains in the car) between October and April and majority of people change tires twice a year.

[Rakido]

no, it's not mandatory to use winter tyres, but if you have an accident, insurances won't cover the costs.

And you can get a ticket from police if you drive on snow with summer tyres, as you have to adjust the equipment of the car to the weather condition.

R.

[VJ]

ok, thanks for confirming!