Proposal sought for directive on introducing a novel automobile type, as per Commission's mandate.

In Europe, the rules for using winter tires vary from country to country. Here's a breakdown of the regulations in some key European nations:

Sweden From December 1 to March 31, all cars must use winter tires, and spike tires are also permitted.

The Netherlands, Norway, UK, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, and Switzerland There is no winter tire obligation in these countries, but snow chains can be used if the road is continuously covered with ice or snow.

France In mountainous regions, winter tires are required from November 1 to March 31. Elsewhere, winter tires or snow chains may be prescribed through signs depending on the weather conditions.

Austria and Serbia In Austria, winter tires are mandatory from November 1 to April 15 for vehicles up to 3.5 tons on roads covered with ice and snow. In Serbia, the requirement is from November 1 to April 1.

Slovenia Winter tires are mandatory between November 15 and March 15, and outside this period, they are required in wintry road conditions.

Germany Trucks and vans over 3.5 tons have been required to use winter tires on both the drive and steering axles since 2020. Motorcycles are exempt from winter tire regulations since 2017.

Estonia, Finland, Czech Republic, and Serbia (again) These countries have a general winter tire requirement from November 1 to March 31 (possibly extended October to April in Estonia depending on conditions). In Finland, the requirement applies when winter conditions are present.

Italy Traffic signs prescribe winter tires or snow chains depending on the weather for a specific period.

Croatia The winter tire obligation is indicated by signs and is weather-dependent, with a minimum tread depth for winter tires of four millimeters.

Slovakia Winter tires are mandatory in wintry road conditions without specific time restrictions.

In summary, while some countries have fixed dates for winter tire requirements, others base their rules on weather conditions. It's essential for drivers to stay informed and comply with the regulations in the countries they are travelling to ensure safety on the roads during the winter months.

Proposal sought for directive on introducing a novel automobile type, as per Commission's mandate.