Winter equipment: what the law requires in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro

The rules on winter equipment aren't the same across the region — in some places they apply only when there's snow, in others regardless of the weather. Here's what the regulations actually say.

Serbia

Winter equipment is mandatory from 1 November to 1 April, but only when the road surface is covered in snow, ice or black ice. If conditions are dry, winter tyres aren't strictly required.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The requirement is stricter here: from 1 November to 1 April, winter equipment must be in the vehicle (except for motorcycles and tractors), regardless of the weather on the day.

Croatia

From 15 November to 15 April, winter equipment is mandatory on marked motorways and state roads regardless of driving conditions, while on other roads it applies only during actual winter conditions.

Montenegro

There's no single fixed legal date range — winter tyres are mandatory whenever winter conditions prevail on the road, and the Ministry of Interior (MUP) determines specific sections each year where the requirement applies regardless of the weather.

What exactly counts as winter equipment

"Winter equipment" doesn't necessarily mean winter tyres — in most countries of the region, a combination of summer tyres plus snow chains carried in the vehicle and fitted when needed also counts. You can recognise winter tyres by the M+S marking or the newer 3PMSF marking (a mountain peak with a snowflake) on the sidewall — a summer tyre, even a new one, doesn't satisfy the requirement. If you choose chains instead of winter tyres, check in advance that they fit your rim size — not at the first stop where you actually need them.

When you can be turned back

On mountain stretches and passes, during active winter conditions, traffic police do stop vehicles without the right equipment and won't let them continue until chains are fitted or tyres changed — this is especially common at border crossings at higher altitudes, where the weather can differ from that in the valley you set off from. Check the weather forecast for the crossing itself, not just for the town you're leaving from.

Just in case

If you're travelling in winter, check the live cameras on the crossing's page before you set off — for example Izačić or Gradiška — road conditions are often visible directly in the image. Snow chains can often be bought at petrol stations near mountain passes too, but at a higher price than buying them in town beforehand — better to bring them from home than count on finding them along the way.

Rules are subject to change — before you travel, check the current regulations on the official websites of the traffic police or the auto club.