OT - Winter tires in Germany

Hi all,

I am going on a snowboarding trip to Austria during Christmas and will
rent a car from Munich airport, Germany. I want snow tires but they
charge an extra €15/day for winter tires which I find excessive. Is
there a law in Germany that requires all cars on the road to have
winter tires during the winter?

Thanks to all Germans,
Bye,
Leon

On Mon, 27 Sep 2004 20:22:11 +0300, Leon
wrote:

Is there a law in Germany that requires all cars on the road to have
winter tires during the winter?

There is no such law. But in case of an accident you will get partial
guiltiness, I think.

Greetings from Franconia - the northern and better part of Bavaria,

Ulrich

Leon wrote:

I am going on a snowboarding trip to Austria during Christmas and will
rent a car from Munich airport, Germany. I want snow tires but they
charge an extra €15/day for winter tires which I find excessive. Is
there a law in Germany that requires all cars on the road to have
winter tires during the winter?

No matter if there is a law or not, you might really get in trouble not
taking snow tires.

Especially in Austria, a lot of roads to the ski resorts REQUIRE snow
tires. Police might take you out if you don't have any, and the possibility
of not reaching your destination because of heavy snowfalls is high, too.

15 Euros is better than not reaching your destination at all :-)

Martin

"Leon" wrote

15/day for winter tires which I find excessive.

That's too much, indeed.

Is there a law in Germany that requires all cars on the road
to have winter tires during the winter?

No general law, neither in Germany nor Austria.
But depending on road conditions they can close certain streets
or areas for cars without winter tires (or even snow chains).
Or close entirely for all public traffic.
This is more likely in Austria than in Germany, but it happens
several times / year.
If you choose to drive with summer tires, be careful to keep
a safe distance: the driver in front of you will probably have
specialised winter tires.

I don't know where you will go, but there are some streets
in the alps with a gradient of more than 30%.
Like in San Francisco, but with snow and ice!
And the valley several 1000 feets below the street.

It's a "must have" (practical, not legal) if you live in the mountains.

Thomas

"Thomas Schäfer" wrote in message ...
"Leon" wrote

15/day for winter tires which I find excessive.

That's too much, indeed.

We have had similar in the past. In the end we decided to not pay extra
for the tyres and buy some cheap chains if we needed them. However when
we turned up (also at Munich) the car was already equipped with winter
tyres and they gave us the chains as well, both at no extra cost.

Obviously, you may not have the same luck.

It was actually snowing quite hard when we reached Austria and there
was a lot of snow on the road. You really wouldn't want summer tyres
in those conditions, it's surprising the difference they make.

You may also find that the hire companies that initially seem more
expensive may include such things at no extra cost.

Err... hope that helps.

Cheers.
Iain.

In article , Leon wrote:
Hi all,

I am going on a snowboarding trip to Austria during Christmas and will
rent a car from Munich airport, Germany. I want snow tires but they
charge an extra €15/day for winter tires which I find excessive. Is
there a law in Germany that requires all cars on the road to have
winter tires during the winter?

If a rental car company does not automatically give you snow tires in
Munich in December, change the company.

If _you_ are willing to drive into the Austrian Alps around Christmas
on summer tires, better pick a lonely place for the crash so you don't
endanger others.

Seriously, driving without snow tires under the conditions that are
likely at that time of the year is highly irresponsible. Don't do it.

Enjoy your trip!

Bye,

Stephan

--
-------------------------- It can be done! ---------------------------------
Please email me as (Stephan Schulz)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------