From O to O: Germany's winter tyre rules — when do you have to switch?

The season of busy garages

At the end of October, cars line up outside German garages (die Werkstatt) and tyre shops, and online booking slots fill up fast. Everyone wants to swap summer tyres for winter tyres (der Winterreifen). Once morning temperatures drop into single digits and the first snow falls in the mountains, Germans say: time to change the tyres.

What does "von O bis O" mean?

German drivers learn a little rhyme: "von O bis O" — from October (Oktober) to Easter (Ostern), use winter tyres. It's easy to remember, but it is not a legal date.

Germany's rule is a weather-based duty (situative Winterreifenpflicht). On black ice, snow, slush or frost, all four wheels must have winter-suitable tyres. If it snows in October, the duty applies; if the roads are dry in January, it doesn't. So "O to O" is simply a generous, safe rule of thumb.

Which tyres count as winter tyres?

Look at the sidewall. You need the mountain-with-snowflake mark (Alpine-Symbol). In the past, an "M+S" (mud and snow) marking was enough, but since October 2024 only tyres with the Alpine symbol count as winter tyres. All-season tyres (der Ganzjahresreifen) need this mark too.

Tread depth matters as well. The legal minimum is 1.6 mm, but the German automobile club ADAC recommends at least 4 mm for winter tyres. Rubber hardens over time, so it's wise to replace old tyres (roughly six years or older) even if there is tread left.

What happens if you don't switch?

If you're caught on summer tyres in wintry conditions, you get a fine and one penalty point (Flensburg). The fine goes up if you obstruct or endanger others, or cause an accident. A car owner (Halter) who knowingly lets someone drive like this can also get a fine and a point. And then there's insurance: cause an accident on summer tyres in winter and your comprehensive cover (Kasko) may pay less.

✅ Do	❌ Avoid
Book the garage in October	Booking on the morning of the first snow
Check for the Alpine symbol (⛰️❄️)	Trusting tyres marked only "M+S"
Keep at least 4 mm of tread	Waiting until the legal 1.6 mm
Check the tyre pressure after the change	Driving on very old tyres
Check the tyres when you pick up a rental car	Heading to Austria or Switzerland without checking their rules

Good to know even without a car

The same applies to rental cars and car sharing. Rental companies must hand over a car that suits the road conditions, so you can refuse a car on summer tyres in wintry weather. Going skiing in Austria, Switzerland or South Tyrol in Italy? Each country has its own rules, so check before you leave.

Today's German words

Word	Meaning
der Winterreifen	winter tyre
der Reifenwechsel	tyre change
die Werkstatt	garage, repair shop
das Profil	tread
glatt	slippery (icy)
das Glatteis	black ice

Book early, drive slowly — and have a cosy, safe start to winter! 🚗❄️