Winter tires: Alpine symbol becomes mandatory in Germany

As of October 1, 2024, only tires bearing the "Alpine symbol" will be recognized as winter tires. This symbol consists of a snowflake and a mountain. This also applies to all-season tires. From this date, no tires with just an "M+S" marking are allowed to be used under winter road conditions. The winter tire requirement remains conditional: Only in the event of black ice, compacted snow, slush, ice, or frost must the tires be equipped with the Alpine symbol (§ 36 Abs. 4 Nr. 2 StVZO). For M2 and M3 buses, at least the wheels on the permanently driven axle and the front steering axle must be equipped with Alpine-symbol tires (§ 2 Abs. 3a StVZO).