Winter tyres in Italy: beware of fines
Anyone caught with winter tyres in Italy in the summer months can expect hefty fines. Comparis explains when this rule applies and what exceptions apply.
05.02.2025
iStock / sankai
1. Winter tyres in summer: when does the ban apply?
From 16 May to 15 October, winter tyres and some all-season tyres are prohibited in Italy. This is intended to increase traffic safety, as winter tyres can lose performance at high temperatures.
2. Which tyres are affected by the winter tyre ban?
The speed index on the tyres is key. If this value is lower than the maximum speed of the vehicle, the tyres are prohibited in the summer months.
In the EU, the maximum speed is stated in the vehicle registration document. In Switzerland, you can find the maximum speed either in the manual or via the type certificate number.
For example: in the case of your car, the manual specifies a maximum speed of 190km/h. However, the winter tyres have a speed index of category Q (maximum 160km/h). With these tyres, you’d run the risk of getting a fine in Italy in the summer months.
3. What categories are there in the speed index?
There are a variety of different speed categories for tyres. These range from a maximum speed of 5km/h (A1) to more than 300km/h (Y). You can find the most common categories here.
| Speed index | Top speed |
|---|---|
| L | 120km/h |
| M | 130km/h |
| N | 140km/h |
| Q | 160km/h |
| R | 170km/h |
| S | 180km/h |
| T | 190km/h |
| U | 200km/h |
| V | 240km/h |
| Z | 240+km/h |
Source: Pirelli
4. What are the fines for violating the winter tyre ban?
If the police catch you with winter tyres in Italy in the summer, you’ll have to pay a fine of at least 431 euros. The fines can reach up to 1,734 euros. In particularly serious cases, the vehicle may be confiscated.
5. Where can I find the speed index?
A lot of information can be found on car tyres. The speed index can be found at the very end (marked in green here).
This article was first published on 25.10.2018
