Winter equipment compulsory in the Ain from 1 November: what changes if you drive into Geneva

In short

Do you live in the Ain and drive into Geneva for work or shopping? From 1 November to 31 March, a French rule applies in part of the department: in the municipalities listed by the prefecture, your car must carry either snow chains for at least two driving wheels, or four winter tyres. And since 1 November 2024, a winter tyre only counts if it carries the 3PMSF marking. What follows is the rule as of 28.10.2026.

Who does it apply to?

Drivers in the Ain municipalities listed by the prefectoral order of 5 July 2021, amended on 20 September 2021. These are the municipalities of the Jura massif in the Ain. The list notably covers the Pays de Gex: Gex, Divonne-les-Bains, Ferney-Voltaire, Saint-Genis-Pouilly, Thoiry or Prévessin-Moëns, for example, as well as Valserhône.

The rule covers cars, vans and camper vans. Coaches and lorries have their own rules, described by the prefecture.

Source (in French): Ain prefecture, amending order of 20.09.2021, read on 26.10.2026.

When does the rule apply?

Every year, from 1 November to 31 March. The decree of 16 October 2020 leaves the list of municipalities to the prefect; the period is the same in every mountain massif in France.

Source (in French): answer from the Interior Ministry to written question no. 3489, published in the Official Journal on 21.03.2023.

Chains or tyres: what do you need?

For a car, you have a choice:

1. Snow chains in the boot, metal or textile, enough to fit at least two driving wheels; 2. Or four winter tyres, fitted to the car.

Both are accepted. With tyres, you need four: two winter tyres on the front only are not enough.

Are my Swiss winter tyres compliant?

Look at the sidewall. Since 1 November 2024, only tyres marked 3PMSF count: the three-peak mountain symbol with a snowflake, together with the M+S marking (or M.S, M&S). A tyre that only carries M+S, without the mountain, is no longer enough.

Source (in French): Ain prefecture, press release of 18.10.2022, which announced this change for 1 November 2024.

An old set of winter tyres or an all-season tyre may only carry M+S: check before driving in November.

And in Geneva?

In Switzerland, no law requires winter tyres. The Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) recommends using them from October to Easter, with at least 4 mm of tread. The TCS, quoted by RTS on 20.11.2025, points out that they help as soon as the temperature drops below 7 °C. Source (in French): OFROU, “Pneus d’hiver : d’octobre à Pâques”, accessed on 07.10.2026.

A cross-border driver who fits winter tyres in October is therefore covered on both sides, as long as those tyres carry the 3PMSF marking.

What to do before 1 November?

1. Look at the sidewall of all four tyres: find the three-peak mountain and the snowflake. 2. Measure the tread: at least 4 mm for a winter tyre, according to FEDRO. 3. If you prefer chains, put them in the boot and try fitting them once in the dry. 4. Book your tyre change without waiting for the first snow.

At AZ Carrosserie, in Eaux-Vives, every tyre change includes fitting, balancing and a pressure check. The quote is free. Call the workshop on 076 429 04 12, or write from the Contact page. The details are on the Tyre change in Geneva page.

Your questions

Are all-season tyres accepted? Only if they carry the 3PMSF marking, the three-peak mountain with a snowflake. Our article on all-season tyres explains how to choose them.

Does the rule apply to the whole of the Ain? No, only to the municipalities on the prefecture's list, in the Jura massif. The Pays de Gex is on it.

Do you need winter tyres if you stay in Geneva? Swiss law does not require them, but FEDRO recommends them from October to Easter. See when to fit winter tyres.