When is the use of anti-skid chains mandatory?

Clarifications regarding when drivers have the obligation to bring anti-skid in their vehicles, as the period of mandatory use begins (October-April), but also what applies to rental vehicles and driving schools, is provided by the Ministry of Transport.

Specifically, the observance of anti-slip means (chains, blankets, snow tires) becomes mandatory only when and if decisions are issued by the competent authorities (Police Departments, Traffic Departments, General Secretariat of Civil Protection), as in accordance with article 52 of the Code of Civil Procedure, which provides that the prevailing weather conditions require drivers to take care of equipping the vehicles they drive with suitable anti-skid means.

Therefore, when the climatic conditions do not require it and since no relevant decisions have been issued by the above competent authorities, drivers do not have the obligation to carry the anti-skid means in their vehicles.

In any case, however, drivers must know how to place and operate these means, in order to ensure their correct use.

Also, with a newer decision signed by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mich. Papadopoulos, the issue of the mandatory provision of anti-slip means in the case of rental cars was also regulated.

Specifically, it is stipulated that in the case of car rental, if the lessee requests the supply of anti-slip means and his request is stated in the rental contract, the lessor company is obliged to provide the appropriate equipment. Otherwise, and as long as it is not requested, this obligation does not exist.

The change in climatic conditions, states Deputy Minister Mr. Papadopoulos, requires all drivers to bring the necessary equipment for the safe movement of vehicles on the road network, in case of snowfall, but also to know their correct use.

It is also recalled the obligation of prospective driver trainers to include in the training program the learning of the process of installing anti-skid chains, as has been established, by a relevant decision of Mr. Papadopoulos.

Installation instructions

– Anti-skid chains are placed on both tires of the vehicle’s drive axle.

– If the vehicle has motion on more than one axis, they are installed according to the instructions of the vehicle manufacturer.

– If there are no instructions and the driver only has one pair of anti-skid pads then these are fitted to the front axle.

– If there is a second pair, they are placed on the rear axle at the same time.

– If the vehicle has double tires on the drive axle (ie 4 tires on the axle) they are placed according to the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions or if there are no such tires they are placed on the outer tires of each side.

– The installation of anti-skid means must be done in a suitable and safe place on the road surface and all the necessary measures must be taken in accordance with the KOK (e.g. warning triangle, distance) for the safety of the driver and to avoid creating problems in the movement of other vehicles.

RES-EMP

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