In Romania, there is no calendar date from which winter tyres become mandatory. It is therefore incorrect to say that they must automatically be fitted on 1 November. The legal rule applies when you drive on a public road covered with snow, ice or black ice. If you enter such conditions with non-compliant tyres, in 2026 you risk a fine of 1,946.25–4,325 lei, the retention of the vehicle registration certificate and a temporary replacement document that does not permit driving.
For drivers, the difference between “the date when it is sensible to change them” and “the point at which the law requires them” is essential. Legally, it is the road surface that matters. In practical terms, the change should be scheduled before the first journey that weather could turn into a risky route. It is not efficient to wait for the first snowfall, when tyre shops are already busy and the car may become unusable precisely when you need it.
In the same context, see also Used car: the 15-minute filter that tells you whether it is worth taking it to a service centre, which provides additional relevant information.
What the law says in 2026: the road condition, not the month, matters
Article 102(1), point 28 of Government Emergency Ordinance No. 195/2002 on road traffic penalises driving a motor vehicle without winter tyres on public roads covered with snow, ice or black ice. The text does not set a mandatory annual period, such as 1 November–31 March.
The practical consequence is straightforward:
- you may drive on summer tyres on a cold day, provided the road surface is dry, without this offence applying;
- you cannot rely on it still being October or already being April if the road is covered with snow, ice or black ice;
- an early snowfall, an episode of freezing rain or morning black ice can make the rule applicable in any cold month.
The law should not be interpreted as an invitation to delay changing tyres until the day it snows. It establishes the threshold for a penalty, not the best time for planning. For a driver who commutes, travels through higher-altitude areas or frequently takes long journeys, scheduling the fitting before the period of fluctuating temperatures and precipitation is the safer decision.
When it is prudent to schedule the change in autumn 2026
The right time differs according to your usual route, the time you set off and the type of road you use. A car used only in the city at midday has a different risk profile from one leaving at 6:00 am for a county road, a mountain area or a motorway affected by freezing rain.
A useful organisational rule is not to wait for the first weather warning before looking for an available tyre-fitting appointment. Plan the change before the first period in which you may encounter mornings with near-freezing temperatures, precipitation and journeys outside built-up areas. Before setting off, check weather forecasts and warnings in Romania, and consult traffic conditions and roads in Romania for your route.
However, do not turn the frequently cited technical benchmark of 7°C into a legal condition. Temperature does not appear in the text defining the offence. It is merely a practical criterion often used to anticipate the period when winter tyres may become the more suitable choice, not a limit set by the Highway Code.
What fine you risk in 2026 for driving on black ice with non-compliant tyres
The offence falls under penalty class IV, meaning between 9 and 20 fine points. From 1 July 2026, the guaranteed national gross minimum basic wage is 4,325 lei. One fine point represents 5% of that amount, namely 216.25 lei.
| Item | 2026 value |
|---|---|
| Penalty class | Class IV |
| Number of fine points | 9–20 |
| Value of one fine point | 216.25 lei |
| Calculated fine | 1,946.25–4,325 lei |
| Administrative measure | Retention of the vehicle registration certificate |
The calculation is direct: 9 × 216.25 lei equals 1,946.25 lei, while 20 × 216.25 lei equals 4,325 lei. The official report determines the actual amount imposed within the legal range, depending on the circumstances found.
There is another consequence that may be more complicated than the fine: the police retain the vehicle registration certificate. Where winter tyres are missing in the conditions stipulated by law, the temporary replacement certificate is issued without the right to drive. In other words, this is not a situation in which you can simply continue your journey and put off addressing the problem until the weekend.
The general rule on administrative offences allows payment, within 15 days of the delivery or notification of the official report, of half the minimum fine set by the legal act. For this penalty range, that comes to approximately 973 lei. Always follow the amount and instructions stated in the official report you receive, including those concerning payment and appeals.
The lack of winter tyres, in itself, is not penalised by licence suspension. The applicable provision provides for a fine and the retention of the registration certificate. The situation may, of course, become more complicated if other offences are involved or an accident occurs.
Are all-season tyres legal? The sidewall marking is the decisive detail
Yes, a tyre sold commercially as “all-season” may meet the legal requirement. The Romanian Automotive Register (RAR) states that tyres marked M+S, M.S. or M&S are accepted for the specific winter conditions provided for under national road traffic legislation. The description in an advertisement or on the purchase invoice is not enough; the marking on the tyre sidewall must be checked.
The distinction between two matters is important:
- Legal compliance: for the situation regulated in Romania, RAR states that the M+S, M.S. or M&S marking meets the legal requirement.
- Suitability for severe conditions: an all-season tyre does not automatically offer the same performance as a dedicated winter model in heavy snow, on ice or on mountain routes. This is a safety and usage choice, not an additional rule introduced by the Highway Code.
The mountain snowflake marking, known as 3PMSF, may appear on many winter and all-season products. It does not remove the need to check the tyre actually fitted. For the Romanian legal requirement examined here, the reference indicated by RAR is the presence of the M and S marking in one of the forms mentioned above.
A two-minute check before the season
- Look at the sidewall of every fitted tyre and find M+S, M.S. or M&S.
- Compare the size, load index and speed rating with the specifications permitted for your car. Tyres with characteristics other than those approved may create a separate issue.
- Check for wear, cuts and bulges. A correct marking does not solve the problem of a damaged or excessively worn tyre.
- Check cold tyre pressure after fitting and again after a few days of use.
- Do not combine two winter tyres with two summer tyres on the assumption that having them on the driven axle is sufficient. For a passenger car, this configuration is neither a prudent solution nor one to rely on to demonstrate that the vehicle is properly equipped.
The rule differs for lorries and buses
For passenger cars, the requirement is to be fitted with winter tyres when driving on a road surface covered with snow, ice or black ice. For goods vehicles with a maximum authorised total weight of more than 3.5 tonnes, and passenger vehicles with more than nine seats including the driver’s seat, the law sets out a distinct requirement: winter tyres on the wheels of the drive axle or axles, or certified chains or other anti-skid equipment fitted to those wheels.
This exception concerning the drive wheels should not automatically be extended to passenger cars. If you drive a van, minibus or a vehicle used professionally, check the maximum authorised total weight and the exact category in the vehicle documents before deciding how to equip it.
What to do if weather catches you out before you change tyres
The safest option is not to set out on a route affected by snow, ice or black ice until you have compliant tyres. If the journey cannot be postponed, do not assume that simply having chains in the boot helps in the case of a passenger car. The special rule on chains is set out in the law for heavy goods vehicles and passenger vehicles with more than nine seats.
Nor should you confuse a merely wet road surface with black ice. Black ice is a layer of ice formed on the road surface; it can be difficult to spot, especially in the evening, in shaded areas, on bridges and at underpasses. If there is a risk of freezing and the route includes such sections, choose the cautious option: change the tyres before leaving or do not make the journey if the car is not equipped.
Checklist before the first cold journey
- Does the sidewall of every fitted tyre display M+S, M.S. or M&S?
- Do the tyres have the dimensions and characteristics permitted for the car?
- Do they have sufficient tread and no cuts, deformations or visible damage?
- Have you checked the pressure and correctly tightened the wheel bolts after fitting?
- Have you checked the forecast, warnings and route conditions before setting off?
- Do you know where the spare wheel is and whether it can be safely used in the event of a puncture?
If you are preparing for a longer journey, it is worth including this check in the trip’s budget and planning, alongside fuel, the rovinieta road vignette and crossing charges. You can also use the guidance in InfoBuz’s article on calculating the real cost of a car journey in Romania.
The key point
In 2026, you do not need to wait for an official date to fit winter tyres, because the law does not establish one. The requirement begins the moment you drive on a public road covered with snow, ice or black ice. To avoid both road risk and a fine of up to 4,325 lei, as well as the retention of the registration certificate, check the M+S marking and make the change before your usual routes are affected by winter conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Is it mandatory to fit winter tyres from 1 November 2026?
No. Romanian legislation does not establish 1 November or any other fixed period. The requirement applies if you drive on a public road covered with snow, ice or black ice.
How much is the fine for not having winter tyres in 2026?
The offence is penalised by 9–20 fine points. At a value of 216.25 lei per fine point after 1 July 2026, the range is 1,946.25–4,325 lei.
Can I drive in winter with all-season tyres?
Yes, if the tyres display the M+S, M.S. or M&S marking on the sidewall. RAR states that these markings meet the legal requirement for winter conditions provided for by road traffic legislation.
Is my licence suspended if I do not have winter tyres?
Not for this offence considered on its own. The stipulated penalty is a fine, and the police retain the vehicle registration certificate; the temporary replacement document does not permit driving.
Can I use chains instead of winter tyres on a passenger car?
Do not rely on this option. The legal text provides chains or other certified anti-skid equipment on the drive wheels as an alternative for certain heavy goods vehicles and passenger vehicles with more than nine seats.
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