Driving-Weather

Hello All-

My husband and I will be driving down from Frankfurt in 2 weeks time. We will criss-cross over the German-Austrian border from Berchtsgarden to Fussen and back up to Frankfurt via Heidelberg. I have been to this area before when snow was prevalent. Unfortunately, we have been advised in the USA that we must determine now if we would like to add snow tires or chains for our rental car prior to travel.

If someone has just travelled or is local please advise %26quot;current%26quot; road conditions and if you would consider this a necessity. Thank you very much. I do realize weather is subject to change-just an overview please!

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There will be still winter in 2 weeks. And snow is very likely in the parts of the Alps you plan to visit.

Winter tires (snow tires) are in this case a must. If you are involved in an accident which may be fault of inappropriate tires (no winter tires) it will be your fault.

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Driving in these parts of the world in mid-February without winter tires is simply insane. It%26#39;s not only snow but also black ice you have to worry about, which can appear out of nowhere. With summer tires you%26#39;d be a danger not only to yourselves but also to everyone else on the road.

IMHO rental car companies ought to be obliged to equip their cars appropriately.

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Vielen Dank for Ihren helfen! I just contacted Auto Europe and secured snow tires for our pick-up in Frankfurt. While I received mixed message that snow tires were mandatory in Germany-they still charge extra upon pick up and they must be requested ahead of time (this might help someone else out in the future). How this is %26quot;mandatory%26quot; I don%26#39;t know but we have them now.

Thank you fellow German travelers-your local replies were most appreciated! I must admit both of us our good drivers but I really wanted to play it safe regardless and feel better now that I can enjoy the snow. Warm regards-Teamfriis

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%26gt; How this is %26quot;mandatory%26quot; I don%26#39;t know but we have them now.

They are mandatory in Austria since 1. Jan. 2008.

In Germany they are not mandatory. The German law speaks only of appropriate tire equipment. Also this law is rather new and there are not many court decision available what may be appropriate or not. What is appropriate may also be different if your car never leaves Hamburg or if you drive into the Alps. In latter case it%26#39;s commonly agreed on that you should have winter tires on your car.

Also in my understanding the rental companies should only rent out cars with winter tires in winter. However they don%26#39;t like the costs. And so far the lawmakers and courts have not forced them to do so.

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They are mandatory in Austria between 1. November and 15. April. This law is in force since 1. Jan. 2008.

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