As of today, the requirement to use winter tyres in the Czech Republic under wintry conditions is back in force. Drivers should prepare their vehicles for the cold season in good time to stay safe on the road and avoid potential fines.
From 1 November, the Czech Republic again requires the use of winter tyres when there is a continuous layer of snow, ice, or frost on the road. Experts, however, recommend switching to winter tyres already when temperatures fall below seven degrees Celsius.
When buying tyres, drivers should ensure that they are explicitly suitable for winter use. Since 1 October 2024, uniform rules have applied across the EU for the labelling of winter and all-season tyres: they must bear the 3PMSF symbol (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake), i.e., the alpine snowflake symbol.
The age of the tyres also matters. Over time, the rubber compound loses elasticity, which affects driving performance. New tyres generally have a tread depth of about eight millimetres. In the Czech Republic, there is a legal minimum tread depth of four millimetres for car winter tyres. Breaches can result in substantial fines.
In addition to the tyres, drivers should also prepare their vehicles for the cold season in other ways, such as checking antifreeze and windscreen washer fluids, and if necessary, inspecting the battery and air conditioning – the latter helps to demist the windows. Furthermore, the required winter equipment should always be on board.
