From November 15 vehicles in public traffic must carry winter equipment

From November 15, vehicles taking part in public road traffic in North Macedonia must carry the legally prescribed winter equipment, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced.

The requirement is based on provisions of the Law on Road Traffic Safety and the recent amendment to that law, together with the Regulation on Mandatory Vehicle Equipment.

Required equipment and minimum standards

For motor vehicles with a maximum authorized mass up to 3,500 kilograms the winter equipment is: winter tyres on all four wheels with a minimum tread depth of 4 millimeters, or summer tyres on all four wheels with a minimum tread depth of at least 4 millimeters if the vehicle's kit includes snow chains of adequate size for the driven wheels or other appropriate aids.

For four-wheel drive vehicles (4x4) the rules specify winter tyres on all four wheels with a minimum tread depth of 6 millimeters. Summer tyres on all four wheels with a minimum tread depth of 4 millimeters are allowed only if the vehicle carries snow chains; when permanent drive is engaged, snow chains must be available at least for the rear axle, while for switchable drive they must be available for the axle that remains permanently driven.

Vehicles exceeding 3,500 kilograms must have winter tyres on the driven wheels with a minimum tread depth of 6 millimeters. Summer tyres on all four wheels with a minimum tread depth of 4 millimeters are permitted only if the vehicle carries snow chains of suitable size for the driven wheels or other appropriate aids.

Buses and goods vehicles that for technical reasons cannot fit snow chains on the driven wheels are required to have winter tyres on the driven wheels and to carry a hand tool — a shovel.

Winter tyres are identified by markings on the tyre sidewall: "MS", "M+S", "M & S" and the three-peaked mountain with a snowflake symbol. The Regulation also bans the use of studded tyres on public roads.

"We appeal to drivers to comply with the legal obligation to possess winter equipment because this ensures unobstructed and safe traffic on the roads in winter conditions," the Ministry said.

Photo: press material from the event