Advice has been updated for anyone planning to travel to the European nation
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has amended its advice for travel to France. The FCDO regularly updates its guidance for travel to 226 nations and territories worldwide, helping holidaymakers to make informed decisions and stay safe while abroad.
On Tuesday, its guidance for the millions of people who visit France from the UK each year was updated with an official alert. The seasonal update was shared on Gov.uk.
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The alert reads: “Winter tyres and chains. Vehicles driven in certain mountain regions during the winter period (1 November to 31 March) must be fitted with winter tyres or chains. You could receive a fine if you do not comply.”
“Visit the French public services website for more information (in English) about: what type of vehicle this applies to, what type of tyre or chain should be fitted, where in France these rules apply.”
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A link provided within the alert further explains: “In order to improve road traffic in mountainous regions and the safety of users, it is mandatory to equip your vehicle with winter tires or to have snow chains or socks, from 1 November to March 31 in selected mountain areas.” It adds that the rule came into force back in November 2021.
Guidance continues: “]All vehicles with four or more wheels are covered by this obligation: light vehicles, commercial vehicles, campers, coaches, buses and heavy goods vehicles. The prefects of the 34 departments located in mountainous massifs (Alps, Corsica, Central Massif, Jurassien Massif, Pyrenees, Vosges Massif) must draw up a list of municipalities in which vehicle equipment becomes compulsory during the winter period.
“This list shall be drawn up with and after consultation with the local elected representatives concerned.” For the avoidance of doubt, road signs will indicate the entrances and exits of areas where the rules apply.