When are winter tyres and snow chains mandatory for trucks in Romania?

Winter tyres are mandatory for trucks in Romania whenever a public road is covered with snow, ice or slush, not from a fixed calendar date. HGVs over 3.5 t need winter tyres on the drive axle or approved chains on those wheels. The fine is 1,946.25 to 4,325 RON.

What does the Romanian winter tyre rule for HGVs actually say?

The duty sits in the Romanian Road Code, OUG 195/2002, and it is triggered by road condition. The Ministry of Internal Affairs explains the rule (page checked on 2026-10-23) as a ban on driving on public roads covered with snow, ice or slush without winter tyres, with no start or end month. A dry road in November does not trigger it, and a frosted road in April does.

For freight vehicles above 3.5 t of maximum authorised mass, the same text asks for winter tyres on the wheels of the drive axle or axles. The alternative is chains or other approved anti-skid equipment on those wheels. Tyres must carry one of the markings M+S, M.S., MS or M&S, as the ministry page states, so a tyre sold only as "all season" without that marking does not count.

How much is the fine for a truck without winter tyres in Romania?

The offence falls in class IV, which means 9 to 20 penalty points. One point equals 5% of the gross minimum wage, and since 2026-07-01 that wage is 4,325 RON, so a point is worth 216.25 RON. Infobuz puts the resulting range at 1,946.25 to 4,325 RON. Before July the point was 202.5 RON and the same class ran from 1,822.50 to 4,050 RON, which is why older articles quote lower numbers.

The fine is not the only cost. The police retain the registration certificate and issue a replacement document without the right to drive, a measure that Colegu's chain guide ties to article 112 of the same code. The truck stays parked until the right tyres or chains are fitted.

What should a dispatcher check before a Romanian winter run?

Check the tread and the marking on every drive-axle tyre, and confirm that a set of chains approved for the truck sits in the cab. Winter tyres on the drive axle are enough on their own, while chains are the fallback when the tyres do not qualify.

Before departure, check the Romanian HGV speed limits and compare diesel prices in Romania before the trip. For other countries on the same route, the EU-wide winter tyre and snow chain guide lists where each rule starts.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a date when winter tyres become mandatory in Romania?

No. Romanian law links the duty to road conditions, not to a calendar. Winter tyres are required whenever the public road is covered with snow, ice or slush, so a truck can be checked in any month where those conditions occur.

Do snow chains replace winter tyres on a Romanian truck?

For freight vehicles over 3.5 t the law accepts either winter tyres on the drive axle or approved chains on the drive wheels. Chains are the alternative, not an extra requirement.

Do all-season tyres meet the Romanian winter rule?

Only if they carry the M+S, M.S., MS or M&S marking. The ministry guidance requires one of these symbols on the sidewall. An all-season tyre without the marking does not meet the rule.

What happens to a truck stopped without winter tyres in Romania?

The driver receives a class IV fine of 9 to 20 penalty points, currently 1,946.25 to 4,325 RON. The police also retain the registration certificate and hand over a replacement document that does not allow driving until the truck has the right equipment.

Plan your winter freight with a Logifie quote .