Fines for lack of winter tires reach 2,900 lei. When they must be mounted

Winter is approaching and some drivers are already thinking about putting winter tires on their car. The Romanian Auto Registry draws attention to the fact that there is no deadline by which the mandatory winter tires must be fitted.

RAR points out that specific tires are required if the car is driven on a public road covered with ice, slush or snow, regardless of the season.

All tires marked with the letters M and S meet the requirements set out in the legislation. The lack of suitable tires is punishable by a fine from the fourth class of sanctions (between 9 and 20 fine points), i.e. between 1,305 and 2,900 lei, but the vehicle’s registration certificate can also be retained.

RAR specifications:

“Have you read the articles about the fines that Romanians risk if they don’t have winter tires installed on November 1 and are you confused or panicked? You have no reason to! The Romanian Auto Registry explains everything you need to know about tires that are mandatory during the winter.

Even though the weather is still sunny in most parts of the country, information has already started to circulate intended to panic car owners, so we CLEARLY state that there is NO cut-off date for fitting these tires and that ALL tires, regardless of their trade name , which are marked with the letters M and S (meaning mud and snow), in the form: M+S, MS or M&S, meet the requirements for use in the specific winter conditions provided for in the national road legislation.

Now, we explain the situation to you in detail.

The obligation to use winter tires on public roads covered with snow, ice or ice was introduced in Romania by Government Ordinance no. 5/2011 for the amendment and completion of GEO no. 195/2002 regarding traffic on public roads, republished in 2006.

It is important to note that the law does NOT specify a cut-off date by which vehicles must be fitted with winter tires or a minimum temperature to trigger the process. Therefore, specific tires are required if the car drives on a public road covered with ice, sleet or snow, regardless of the season, and since the law was drafted, these provisions have not undergone changes.

The Romanian Auto Registry specifies that the name “all seasons” is a commercial one, used by tire manufacturers, but which does not have a correspondent in the national legislation of Romania. Regardless of the trade name of a tyre, if it is inscribed with the letters M and S (meaning mud and snow), in the form: M+S, MS or M&S, it meets the requirements for use in the specific winter conditions provided for in road legislation national.

We recommend that you check the year of manufacture (DOT) and the tread depth before fitting the tires (see photo). If the tires are more than 4-5 years old, ask for the opinion of a specialist, who will observe if there are any pronounced signs of wear.

The sanction for the lack of suitable tires, under the conditions specified in the law, is punishable by a fine from the IV class of sanctions (between 9 and 20 points-fine), i.e. between 1,305 and 2,900 lei, but a certificate of vehicle registration.

Therefore, if car owners comply with the legislation in force and use tires marked with the letters M and S on public roads covered with snow, ice or ice, regardless of the calendar date on which the journey is made, they do not risk being penalized.”