Business travellers planning road trips in France’s Alpine, Pyrenean and Massif Central departments should note a safety rule that took effect on 1 November: vehicles with four or more wheels must be fitted with 3PMSF-marked winter tyres—or carry chains or textile ‘snow socks’—until 31 March 2026.
The obligation, introduced under the 2021 Montagne law, applies to 34 departments and covers company pool cars and hire vehicles alike. Police are empowered to levy on-the-spot fines of €135 and may bar non-compliant vehicles from mountain passes, potentially disrupting site visits to ski-resort projects or hydroelectric facilities.
![Winter-tyre rule enters force across French mountain regions]()
Major rental firms at Lyon and Geneva airports have upgraded fleets, but mobility managers should add the surcharge for winter tyres when booking. Employees driving French-registered lease cars must obtain a certificate from fleet providers confirming compliance. For expatriates relocating with personal vehicles, insurers warn that claims could be denied if an accident occurs on untreated roads without approved equipment.
The Ministry of Transport has launched an English-language website listing affected communes, and Waze now pushes pop-ups when a route enters a mandatory zone. Companies should circulate route-planning guides and allow extra transit time—chains can take 20 minutes to fit in freezing lay-bys.
Although primarily a safety measure, the rule intersects with global mobility because many assignees choose mountain areas for housing—or leisure—during French postings. Early communication will reduce last-minute scrambles and safeguard duty-of-care obligations.
The obligation, introduced under the 2021 Montagne law, applies to 34 departments and covers company pool cars and hire vehicles alike. Police are empowered to levy on-the-spot fines of €135 and may bar non-compliant vehicles from mountain passes, potentially disrupting site visits to ski-resort projects or hydroelectric facilities.
Major rental firms at Lyon and Geneva airports have upgraded fleets, but mobility managers should add the surcharge for winter tyres when booking. Employees driving French-registered lease cars must obtain a certificate from fleet providers confirming compliance. For expatriates relocating with personal vehicles, insurers warn that claims could be denied if an accident occurs on untreated roads without approved equipment.
The Ministry of Transport has launched an English-language website listing affected communes, and Waze now pushes pop-ups when a route enters a mandatory zone. Companies should circulate route-planning guides and allow extra transit time—chains can take 20 minutes to fit in freezing lay-bys.
Although primarily a safety measure, the rule intersects with global mobility because many assignees choose mountain areas for housing—or leisure—during French postings. Early communication will reduce last-minute scrambles and safeguard duty-of-care obligations.
