Tyre laws in France ?

[philip600]

Hi,
Would like some opinions on the following.
Myself & the family are off on holiday to France next month in the X5 & I wondered if anyone knows if the French laws on tyres are the same as the UK ?
Over here isn't it 1.6mm over 75% across the middle section ?
I'm running on 20" Toyos all round & replaced the fronts just before winter, I kept the tyres I took off though as they still have about 4mm in the centres although the last 25mm of the outer edges are down to about 1.0mm so I had planned on re-fitting them before we go.
I was then hoping to get the summer out of them, swap the fronts back over later in the year & at the same time replace the rears so I have good tyres all round ready for the winter.
However I've just checked the rears & at present they have about 4/5mm of tread over 90% of the tyre but the last 25mm on the inside edge has worn to the point where the tread pattern is only just visible.
If we where holidaying in the UK I would be happy to leave them as they are by no means dangerous or illegal but wondered what the situation is in France.
I don't want to get stopped & fined & then have to buy a different set over there but I also would really like to leave them so I can fit a new set later in the year.
We will be doing between 1500 & 2000 miles during our trip.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Regards, Phil.

[sapphireblack]

In rough translation, it appears their rules are the same as ours, or collectively they're EU regs? A jobsworth Gendarme though can be hard work if there is any doubt, i know!





Traduction (français > anglais)




See this on tires:

Legal Obligations

Since 1995, the Highway Code imposes the following rules:


It is forbidden to ride on motor vehicles and their trailers:

* tires of different structures, excluding the possible spare tire temporary use;
* different types of tires on an axle, whether single wheel or dual wheels;
* tires which are an index of carrying capacity or speed category symbol below the maximum capacity provided by the vehicle manufacturer.


When the Highway Code prohibits tires of different structures on the same axle it means that the tires must be both:

* same brand
* same size
* same class of use (eg road, snow, road)
* same structure: radial or diagonal
* same code rate
* same index of carrying capacity

The Highway Code also states that:

* "The wear indicator of 1.6 mm is the minimum legal height of gum."
* "The difference between the depth of the main grooves with two tires mounted on a single axle shall not exceed 5 mm.

Or original

See this on tires :

Obligations légales

Depuis 1995, le Code de la Route impose les règles suivantes :


Il est interdit de monter sur les véhicules automobiles et leurs remorques :

* des pneumatiques de structures différentes, à l'exclusion de l'éventuel pneumatique de secours à usage temporaire ;
* des pneumatiques de types différents sur un même essieu, qu'il soit à roues simples ou à roues jumelées ;
* des pneumatiques sur lesquels figurent un indice de capacité de charge ou un symbole de catégorie de vitesse inférieurs aux capacités maximales prévues par le constructeur du véhicule.


Lorsque le Code de la Route interdit de monter des pneus de structures différents sur un même essieu il entend que les pneus doivent être à la fois de :

* même marque
* même dimension
* même catégorie d'utilisation ( ex. route, neige, tout terrain)
* même structure : radiale ou diagonale
* même code de vitesse
* même indice de capacité de charge

Le code de la route précise aussi que :

* « Le témoin d’usure de 1,6 mm indique la hauteur de gomme minimum légale.»
* « La différence entre la profondeur des rainures principales de deux pneumatiques montés sur un même essieu ne doit pas dépasser 5 mm.












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[pvr]

Interesting point about the difference in tread between tyres on the same axle. In other words, if you have a flat you need to replace both if the other tyre has 3mm or less.

In other words, it would be illegal to use a spare wheel on the car if any tyre is less then 3 mm

[philip600]

Hi,
Many thanks for the info.
I'm happy if the minimum depth of tread is the same as the UK as my tyres are by no means illegle over here. To confirm this I took the X to a tyre fitters to have them checked & he said they are fine & no where near down to minimum.
I had heard that although we are in europe & therfore laws like this should be the same, the French interpretation is somewhat different to ours & that where it says you can't have tryes of different construction ( i.e. Crossply & radial ) on the same axle they seem to say you cannot have tyres of different manufacture on an axle ?
Mine are same make all round with matching tread depth on each side.
Thanks again.
Phil.