Will you be fined for not using winter tires? Some answers clash with what you might hear.
The location in question is Podolsk, and readers often ask whether winter tires are legally required and how strictly this is enforced.
The head of the Main Directorate of Road Safety within the Ministry of Internal Affairs addresses reader questions on winter tire regulations and vehicle safety. |
Under the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union 018/2011, wheeled vehicles designed for goods transport with a maximum permissible weight not exceeding 3.5 tons must use winter tires during the winter period, which is defined as December through February. These tires must be clearly labeled as winter tires and must have a remaining tread depth of more than 4 millimeters. In addition, the rule requires winter tires to be mounted on all wheels of the vehicle. This ensures balanced grip and predictable handling in cold weather conditions.
Despite these provisions, current Russian federal law does not create a liability framework for non-compliance with the winter tire mounting requirement itself. In other words, there has not traditionally been a separate administrative penalty assignable simply for failing to equip all wheels with winter tires, independent of other violations or unsafe conditions. This ambiguity has led to questions about whether drivers can be fined for not meeting this standard.
[citation: Ministry of Internal Affairs guidance and regulatory texts, 018/2011; translated legal summaries for reader clarification]
Note: Since March 1, 2023, a new version of the list of malfunctions and conditions that prohibit vehicle operation has been in effect. In winter, the exact period is regionally determined, and drivers of passenger cars (category M1) and light commercial vehicles (N1) may face penalties for driving on summer tires. From June to August, penalties may apply for driving on studded tires, regardless of vehicle category.
[citation: updated regional regulatory list, 2023 edition; translated summaries for readers]
- Details on when a number plate or other identification is considered illegible and how a traffic police inspector proves a violation are explained in related guidance and official procedures. Readers are advised to consult the specific regional regulations or official traffic agency resources for context.
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