Winter equipment becomes mandatory from November 15: fine reaches €45

On November 15, 2026, North Macedonia will begin enforcing the requirement for vehicles to be equipped for winter. Failure to comply with the rules may cost drivers a €45 fine or 25 penalty points, under the applicable legal provisions.

Vehicles weighing up to 3,500 kilograms must have winter tires on every wheel, with a tread depth of at least 4 mm. The use of summer tires is also permitted if the tread is at least 4 mm deep and the vehicle has snow chains for the drive wheels.

For 4×4 vehicles and those weighing more than 3,500 kilograms, the minimum tread depth for winter tires is 6 mm. If summer tires are used, chains suitable for the vehicle category are required.

Buses and trucks that cannot be equipped with chains must have winter tires on the drive wheels, as well as auxiliary equipment.