Riepu Laiks

Winter tyres are not mandatory in Latvia right now

Until winter tyres become mandatory

02
months
04
days
00
hours

Winter tyres are mandatory from 1 December.

Which tyres are allowed today?

For cars, vans and minibuses with a maximum permitted mass of up to 3.5 t.

  • Winter tyres (3PMSF)

    Allowed

    Allowed. Minimum tread depth 1.6 mm.

  • Studded tyres

    Not allowed

    Not allowed until 30 September (inclusive). Allowed from 1 October.

  • All-season tyres

    Allowed

    Allowed. Minimum tread depth 1.6 mm. From 1 December the 3PMSF marking will be required.

  • Summer tyres

    Allowed

    Allowed. Minimum tread depth 1.6 mm.

When do you need winter tyres in Latvia?

In Latvia, winter tyres marked with the “mountain and snowflake” symbol (3PMSF) are mandatory from 1 December to 1 March (inclusive) for cars, vans and minibuses up to 3.5 t, and their tread must be at least 4 mm deep. Studded tyres are allowed from 1 October to 30 April. Summer tyres are allowed again from 2 March.

Upcoming changes

  1. Studded tyres allowedin 5 days
  2. Winter tyres (3PMSF) mandatory, tread at least 4 mm; summer tyres not allowedin 66 days
  3. Summer tyres allowed againin 157 days
  4. Studded tyres not allowedin 217 days

Tyre calendar for the whole year

Which tyres are allowed in each part of the year (cars, vans and minibuses up to 3.5 t) and the minimum tread depth.

Tyres1 Oct – 30 Nov1 Dec – 1 Mar2 Mar – 30 Apr1 May – 30 Sep
Winter tyres (3PMSF), non-studded✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm✓ Allowed, 4 mm✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm
Studded tyres✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm✓ Allowed, 4 mm✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm✗ Not allowed
All-season tyres with 3PMSF✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm✓ Allowed, 4 mm✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm
All-season / M+S tyres without 3PMSF✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm✗ Not allowed✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm
Summer tyres✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm✗ Not allowed✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm✓ Allowed, 1.6 mm

Who do the rules apply to?

  • Cars and buses with a maximum permitted mass of up to 3.5 t: passenger cars, minivans, vans (N1) and minibuses.
  • Trailers (O1, O2): studded tyres are not allowed from 1 May to 30 September and the minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm. Winter tyres are not explicitly required on trailers, but they are recommended.
  • Every vehicle on Latvian roads, including vehicles registered abroad.
  • Vehicles over 3.5 t and motorcycles have different requirements, which are not covered here.

Key requirements

  • During the winter period (1 December – 1 March) only tyres with the “mountain and snowflake” (3PMSF) marking count as winter tyres. Tyres marked only M+S, M.S. or M&S have not counted as winter tyres since 1 October 2024.
  • During the winter period winter tyres must have at least 4 mm of tread; for the rest of the year at least 1.6 mm.
  • A vehicle must not have studded and non-studded tyres at the same time.
  • Tyres on the same axle must be the same size, make and tread pattern; 3PMSF tyres must not be mixed with tyres without this marking.
  • Only tyres designed for winter conditions may be studded, and only with factory-made studs.

Fines

  • Driving without winter tyres between 1 December and 1 March: a €30 fine for the driver.
  • Driving on studded tyres during the ban (from 1 May): €30.
  • Insufficient tread depth: a warning or a €15–55 fine for the driver.
  • Fines are set by Article 71 of the Road Traffic Law (Ceļu satiksmes likums).

Frequently asked questions

From what date are winter tyres mandatory in Latvia?

From 1 December. Until 1 March (inclusive), cars and buses with a maximum permitted mass of up to 3.5 t must have winter tyres marked with the “mountain and snowflake” (3PMSF) symbol.

When can I switch back to summer tyres?

Summer tyres are allowed from 2 March; 1 March is still the last day of the winter period. If roads are still icy, it is wise to change later.

When are studded tyres allowed?

Studded tyres are allowed from 1 October to 30 April. From 1 May to 30 September they are not allowed, and this also applies to trailers.

What is the minimum tread depth?

From 1 December to 1 March winter tyres must have at least 4 mm of tread. For the rest of the year the minimum for cars, vans and their trailers is 1.6 mm.

Can I use all-season tyres in winter?

Only if the sidewall carries the “mountain and snowflake” (3PMSF) marking. All-season tyres marked only M+S may not be used from 1 December to 1 March.

What is the difference between 3PMSF and M+S?

3PMSF (a mountain with a snowflake) shows that the tyre has passed a standardised snow test. M+S (Mud and Snow) is a manufacturer's label without a mandatory test, so since 1 October 2024 it is no longer enough in Latvia in winter.

Can I drive on winter tyres in summer?

Yes. Non-studded winter tyres may be used all year in Latvia if the tread is at least 1.6 mm deep. In warm weather, however, they wear faster and braking distances are longer.

Can I fit studded tyres on one axle only?

No. A vehicle must not have studded and non-studded tyres at the same time.

What is the fine for summer tyres in winter?

Driving without winter tyres between 1 December and 1 March can mean a €30 fine for the driver. The same fine applies to studded tyres during the ban, and insufficient tread depth means a warning or €15–55.

Do the rules apply to cars registered abroad?

Yes. The Road Traffic Regulations apply to every vehicle on the road in Latvia, whatever the country of registration.

Can the winter tyre dates change because of the weather?

No. The dates are fixed in the regulations. If snow or frost arrives earlier, change your tyres before 1 December: non-studded winter tyres may be used at any time, and studded tyres from 1 October.

Sources

Rules last checked: 25 September 2026.

This information is based on the regulations in force and guidance from CSDD (the Road Traffic Safety Directorate), but it is for information only. Always check the current version in official sources. The driver is responsible for the vehicle meeting the requirements.