Driving in winter: tyres, chains and a clear windscreen
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If you drive in Vaud between autumn and spring, whether your own car, a rental or a car-sharing vehicle, the rules differ from many countries: winter tyres are not compulsory by law, but you can still be fined or lose insurance cover if your car is not fit for the conditions. This page covers tyres, snow chains and clearing your car. Licence and registration rules are on Driving licence and Car registration in Vaud.
Key facts
- Winter tyres are not legally compulsory, but the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO/ASTRA) clearly recommends them (pneus d'hiver) (ASTRA blog).
- When: fit winter tyres from October to Easter (bfu, Swiss Council for Accident Prevention).
- Tread depth: the legal minimum is 1.6 mm (OETV art. 58 para. 4); for winter tyres at least 4 mm is recommended (bfu).
- Snow chains (chaînes à neige) are compulsory only where the blue sign "Snow chains compulsory" (2.48) stands, until the sign ending the obligation (2.57) (Signalisation Ordinance, OSR art. 29 and 32).
- Clear your car: the law requires you to clear headlights, windows, windscreen, rear window and mirrors of snow and ice (bfu).
- Consequences: unsuitable tyres or an uncleared car can mean a fine, even a licence withdrawal, and your insurer may reduce its payout after an accident (bfu).
1. Winter tyres
- Swiss law has no explicit winter-tyre obligation. ASTRA still says winter-capable tyres are essential for safe driving in the cold season because they grip better on slippery or icy roads (ASTRA blog).
- bfu advises fitting them from October until Easter, or once the temperature stays below 7 degrees for 7 days in a row (bfu).
- All-season tyres are a compromise. bfu sees them as an option only for people who drive rarely and can skip driving in bad conditions (bfu).
- Check the tread: 1.6 mm is the legal minimum, 4 mm is recommended for winter tyres (bfu).
- Rental or car-sharing car: ask the provider whether the car has winter tyres and chains before a mountain trip. See Car sharing and Mobility.
2. Snow chains
- The blue round sign "Snow chains compulsory" (Chaînes à neige obligatoires, 2.48) means multi-track motor vehicles may use that stretch only if at least two drive wheels on the same axle have metal snow chains. Similar devices of other materials approved by ASTRA are also allowed (OSR art. 29).
- The sign is removed once good tyres are enough (OSR art. 29).
- The obligation ends at the sign "End of compulsory snow chains" (2.57) (OSR art. 32).
- The road-condition sign (4.75) tells you before a pass or ski-resort access road whether it is closed or passable only with chains (OSR art. 58).
- Practise fitting chains at home, not for the first time on a snowy roadside.
3. Before you drive
- Remove snow and ice from the whole car: lights, windows, windscreen, rear window and mirrors. The law requires it (bfu).
- Keep more distance and plan more time. On snow, braking distance can be up to four times longer than on a dry road (bfu).
- Watch for black ice, especially on bridges and overpasses (bfu).
- Take off a thick coat before driving: a loose seat belt protects less (bfu).
4. Fines and insurance
- Swiss law does not explicitly require specific tyres in winter, but driving with unsuitable tyres or an uncleared car can lead to a fine or licence withdrawal (bfu). See Fines and tickets in Vaud.
- After an accident, the insurer can reduce its payout or claim money back if the car was not properly equipped (bfu).
- Fixed fines (OAO annex 1): driving with a tyre in insufficient condition, for example tread under 1.6 mm, CHF 100 (item 402.1); ignoring the "Snow chains compulsory" sign CHF 100. An uncleared windscreen has no item of its own in the fixed-fine list; the amount then depends on the case: To verify.
5. Not driving?
- Trains and buses run all winter; see Getting around.
- Heading to the mountains to ski? See Winter sports in Vaud.