Snow tires. These are the communes of Aude where you absolutely must be equipped for winter

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No more tolerance. Until now, every winter since 2012, you already had to drive with special equipment in certain municipalities of thehears. This will be the case again from from November 1, 2024 and until March 31, 2025 In 32 communes of the department. But now their absence will be fined.

In Aude, we made a careful calculation three years ago to determine which portions of the territory should comply. 179 municipalities are located inside the Pyrenees massif, 37 in the Massif Central. Based on the altitude of the road networks and weather criteria, we ended up concocting a list of only 32 municipalities. All in the Pyrenees. With a few significant exceptions like Bugarach or the peak of Nore (1,211 m above sea level)…

All to the south east, nothing in the black mountain

The Aude municipalities concerned by the obligation to install winter equipment are Artigues, Aunat, Belcaire, Belfort-sur-Rebenty, Belvis, Bessède-de-Sault, Le Bousquet, Cailla, Campagna-de-Sault, Camurac, Le Clat , Comus, Coudons, Counozouls, Escouloubre, Espezel, La Fajolle, Fontanès-de-Sault, Galinagues, Gincla, Joucou, Marsa, Mazuby, Mérial, Montfort-sur-Boulzane, Niort-de-Sault, Quirbajou, Rodome, Roquefeuil, Roquefort-de-Sault, Sainte-Colombe-sur-Guette and Salvezines.

Fines

In the event of non-compliance with this obligation, it is 135 euros fine for offenders (fine of 4^e class). And that's not the only change…

Vehicles (all those with four or more wheels) circulating, even occasionally, in these municipalities, must therefore be equipped with winter tires (snow tires) or chains. Light vehicles (category M1 and N1), utility vehicles (category M2 and M3), buses and heavy goods vehicles (category N2 and N3) are concerned.

Chains or socks?

As for equipment, you will need to have on hand or equip your vehicle with, of your choice, ” removable anti-slip devices (chains and socks)” or winter tires, reminds Road Safety. The regulations allow you to choose between metal chains and “textile chains” commonly called “snow socks”. You need at least two to equip the drive wheels. Chains or socks must be stored on board the vehicle, and ready to use, as long as the journey takes a route in the areas affected by the new regulations.

Only “3PMSF”

And regarding snow tires, they must be tires falling under the “3PMSF” designation. Until now, 4S “4 seasons” tires could be considered winter tires provided they were stamped “3PMSF”. Likewise, vehicles “wearing studded tires [étaient] exempt from equipment obligations. From 1^is November 2024, only 3PMSF tires will be accepted as equivalent to the chains. The purchase and use of other “snow tires” will remain possible, but in this case users will also have to have chains to travel from 1^is November to March 31 in the areas affected by the measure.

To find all the municipalities where winter equipment is obligatory and other information on the subject, click here.

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