Seasonal driving
Winter road-trip preparation: tyres, weather and a plan B
Prepare for changing winter conditions without assuming that one tyre label or one national rule covers the whole journey.
- Topic
- Seasonal driving
- Published
- Last reviewed
- 18 September 2026
- Official source
- Open source ↗
Winter preparation begins with the route, not with a bag of equipment. A mild departure city can lead to a snowy pass, a freezing overnight stop or a country with different tyre rules. Check every transit country and the return dates before choosing what to fit and carry.
Understand the rule that applies to you
Requirements may depend on the date, road conditions, tyre markings, tread depth and vehicle category. Austria, for example, requires winter tyres on all wheels of cars up to 3.5 tonnes between 1 November and 15 April when winter road conditions apply, with a limited chain alternative under specified conditions. This is not a universal rule for motorcycles, heavy vehicles or every other country.
Ask a tyre professional to check your actual vehicle and route. Do not assume that a rental car includes suitable tyres or chains simply because it is collected in winter.
Prepare before the cold morning
Check the battery, coolant protection, washer fluid, wipers and lighting according to the handbook. Carry suitable de-icing equipment, warm clothing, drinking water, a charged phone and a way to charge it. Clear windows, mirrors, lights and accumulated snow before moving off. Keep the exhaust outlet clear if snow has built up around a parked vehicle.
If chains may be required
Confirm that the vehicle and wheel combination can use them, buy the correct size and practise fitting them in a safe place. Follow the vehicle and chain manufacturer's instructions. A box in the boot is not useful if the chains do not fit or you have never opened it.
Let the forecast change the plan
Check official road notices before departure and during planned stops. Allow extra time and larger margins; avoid turning an arrival deadline into pressure to continue. If authorities advise against travel or conditions exceed your equipment and experience, delay the journey or choose another route. For motorcycle trips, snow and ice may make postponement the sensible choice even when cars can proceed.
Sources and further reading
Austria — compulsory use of winter tyres
https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/mobilitaet/kfz/10/2/Seite.063100
Understand the rule that applies to you
Requirements may depend on the date, road conditions, tyre markings, tread depth and vehicle category. Austria, for example, requires winter tyres on all wheels of cars up to 3.5 tonnes between 1 November and 15 April when winter road conditions apply, with a limited chain alternative under specified conditions. This is not a universal rule for motorcycles, heavy vehicles or every other country.
Ask a tyre professional to check your actual vehicle and route. Do not assume that a rental car includes suitable tyres or chains simply because it is collected in winter.
Prepare before the cold morning
Check the battery, coolant protection, washer fluid, wipers and lighting according to the handbook. Carry suitable de-icing equipment, warm clothing, drinking water, a charged phone and a way to charge it. Clear windows, mirrors, lights and accumulated snow before moving off. Keep the exhaust outlet clear if snow has built up around a parked vehicle.
If chains may be required
Confirm that the vehicle and wheel combination can use them, buy the correct size and practise fitting them in a safe place. Follow the vehicle and chain manufacturer's instructions. A box in the boot is not useful if the chains do not fit or you have never opened it.
Let the forecast change the plan
Check official road notices before departure and during planned stops. Allow extra time and larger margins; avoid turning an arrival deadline into pressure to continue. If authorities advise against travel or conditions exceed your equipment and experience, delay the journey or choose another route. For motorcycle trips, snow and ice may make postponement the sensible choice even when cars can proceed.
Sources and further reading
Austria — compulsory use of winter tyres
https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/mobilitaet/kfz/10/2/Seite.063100