What does the Loi Montagne require for trucks in France?

From 2026-11-01 to 2027-03-31, the Loi Montagne requires trucks in 34 French mountain departments to carry or use winter equipment on signed roads. A truck without a trailer may use 3PMSF winter tyres or chains. An HGV with a trailer or semi-trailer must carry removable anti-skid devices for at least two drive wheels.

When and where does the Loi Montagne apply to trucks?

The obligation runs every year from 1 November to 31 March, and service-public.gouv.fr confirms the 2026-2027 season ends on 2027-03-31. It covers 34 departments in the Alps, Corsica, the Massif Central, the Jura, the Pyrenees and the Vosges, and it applies to every vehicle with four or more wheels, including HGVs, buses and coaches.

The rule is not national. Each prefect lists the affected communes by order, and road signs mark the entry and exit of every zone. The page states that signage is what makes the measure enforceable, so a driver inside a signed zone is covered and a driver on an unsigned road is not. Check the prefectoral lists before departure, review the France HGV speed limits for the same trip, and find more country rules in our compliance guides .

Which winter equipment must an HGV carry?

The answer depends on the combination. A rigid truck, bus or coach without a trailer or semi-trailer may choose between winter tyres and removable anti-skid devices such as chains or textile socks. Only tyres marked 3PMSF, the three-peak mountain snowflake, count as equivalent to removable devices.

An HGV with a trailer or semi-trailer has no such choice. It must carry removable anti-skid devices for at least the two drive wheels, even when it runs on winter tyres. A typical tractor unit therefore needs one approved set for the drive axle. Check that the set fits your tyre size and the clearance behind the wheel, and fit it as soon as the road is snow-covered or icy, because carrying chains in the cab is the legal minimum and not a safe driving plan.

Is there a fine for ignoring the Loi Montagne?

Not at present. A fourth-class fine of EUR 135 with possible immobilisation was discussed when the rule started in 2021, but sanctions need a separate decree and none has been published. In an answer published on 2026-02-17, the Interior Ministry confirmed that the measure has been applied in an educational way without penalty, after the decree was delayed by an order of 2025-10-30 on professional off-road tyres.

Do not read that as permission to skip the equipment. The obligation itself remains in force, a decree can arrive at any time, and a truck without chains can block a pass for everyone behind it. Treat EUR 135 as a planned penalty and not a current one, and check the Senate record or the ministry before quoting it to drivers.

Frequently asked questions

Do truck drivers need chains in France in winter?

Only inside signed mountain zones between 1 November and 31 March. An HGV with a trailer or semi-trailer must carry removable devices for two drive wheels. A truck without a trailer may use 3PMSF winter tyres instead of chains.

How many departments does the Loi Montagne cover?

The obligation covers 34 mountain departments. Within them, only the communes listed in the prefect's order are affected, and road signs mark where each zone starts and ends.

Are M+S tyres enough for an HGV under the Loi Montagne?

No. Only 3PMSF tyres count as equivalent to removable devices. Other winter-type tyres are allowed, but the vehicle must also carry devices, and an HGV with a trailer needs them in every case.

Can a truck driver be fined EUR 135 under the Loi Montagne?

Not at present, because the decree that would set the sanction has not been published. The ministry described the rule as applied without penalty in February 2026. The equipment duty still stands, so carry the devices.

Planning winter lanes through the Alps or the Pyrenees? Request a freight quote and we will plan the route around the seasonal equipment rules.