Winter tyres

It isn't possible to make a tyre that's best at everything in every condition. That's why summer tyres don't work in winter. Winter tyres have a different tread pattern and rubber compound that make them work when it's cold, with snow and ice on the road. Winter tyres can also have studs in the tread.

Between 1 December and 31 March it's a legal requirement to use winter tyres if winter road conditions apply.

Studded tyres after 15 April

It's legal to drive with studded tyres after 15 April and before 1 October if winter road conditions apply or are expected.

For a non-studded tyre on cars and light vehicles to count as a winter tyre, the Swedish Transport Agency requires it to carry the ”alpine peak/snowflake” symbol (also known as 3PMSF). A transitional exception applies to trailers with a total weight up to 3,500 kg: non-studded tyres marked M+S, M.S., M&S, M-S, MS or 'Mud and Snow' count as winter tyres until 30 November 2028, if specifically designed for winter driving. So-called all-season tyres have properties that are a compromise between summer and winter requirements, and even when marked M+S they are not considered winter tyres by the authorities.

Imported jeeps, vans, minivans, 4×4 vehicles etc. often come with original tyres that are coarse-treaded and M+S-marked, but they are neither designed nor suitable for winter driving. These tyres have a tread pattern suited for off-road driving, but not a rubber compound suitable for Swedish winter roads. These tyres are not allowed when winter-tyre requirements apply.

STRO used to publish a list of all approved winter tyres but has now chosen to stop publishing it. Read more at stro.se.

Non-studded winter tyres for Nordic conditions have properties comparable to studded winter tyres in winter road conditions, except on ice. On wet and dry winter roads, non-studded winter tyres for Central European conditions perform better. Non-studded winter tyres for Nordic conditions have a softer rubber compound and more sipes, compared to those for Central European conditions.

Tyres on the trailer

If the car has studded tyres, the trailer must also have studded tyres when winter road conditions apply.