Mixed tyres while driving in France

[Silvertop]

When I bought my ex-lease Mondeo two of the tyres didn't match. It looks like one of the pair was replaced due to damage (the wheel was buckled and I've had this repaired) and unfortunately the previous keeper paired an Accelera tyre with a Continental. Both are quite worn, but there is plenty of tread left (3-4mm) and at £140 each I was planning to wear them down and then replace them.

The problem I have now is that I'm driving to the South of France in a few weeks. I've read in several places that there is a requirement in France that both tyres on an axle are made by the same manufacturer, have the same tread and approximately the same level of wear. Equally, I've read that this isn't enforced.

Does anyone know what the reality is please?

[lightthefuse]

We have a similar rule in Sweden - same tyre manufacturer/tread pattern on each axle. It happens rarely but if caught here you're liable for roughly £100 a corner in fines, so about £200. Wouldn't surprise me if the French have similar but at the same time reckon it would be dependent on you getting pulled whether or not you'd get caught.

Me? I'd change them as a matter of course, tread or not, but I am pedantic with my rubber.

[X5TUU]

I rarely have any tyres of the same brand on a single axel on any of our cars what with punctures etc... And have driven across France many times in all sorts of cars with def mismatched axel tyres, never been stopped or anything though but didn't know it was a law either ... Never heard of anyone been fined for it either (unlike not having the high vis vests for all parties in the car/breathalysers etc...)

[Silvertop]

Thanks both. I've decided to not risk it given that the tyres are already worn and while the chances of getting caught are low, the cost of the possible fines means that it's just not worth it.

[vrooom]

Accelera tyres are worst tyre i ever driven with. i'll change them regardless if they are worn or new. It is like driving on ice in dry road..

[DJFish]

I don't like mixing tyres and always strive to comply with regs whilst drivng abroad, however the time I didn't and was pulled for speeding in France, they were more interested in the contents of my wallet than checking my spare bulb kit.

I wouldn't worry about being pulled up over it but I'd be more worried about my ability to pull up in the first place.

[Roo]

Is the car registered in France?

Is the car legal in its country of registration?

[Fartgalen]

lightthefuse said:

We have a similar rule in Sweden - same tyre manufacturer/tread pattern on each axle. It happens rarely but if caught here you're liable for roughly £100 a corner in fines, so about £200. Wouldn't surprise me if the French have similar but at the same time reckon it would be dependent on you getting pulled whether or not you'd get caught.

Me? I'd change them as a matter of course, tread or not, but I am pedantic with my rubber.

You're not allowed to mix radial and crossply. There's no requirement to have the same manufacturer or tread pattern.

[g3org3y]

Silvertop said:

I've read in several places that there is a requirement in France that both tyres on an axle are made by the same manufacturer, have the same tread and approximately the same level of wear. Equally, I've read that this isn't enforced.

Does anyone know what the reality is please?

Never heard of such a rule for France tbh for foreign reg cars.

[littleredrooster]

Silvertop said:

...I've read in several places that there is a requirement in France that both tyres on an axle are made by the same manufacturer, have the same tread and approximately the same level of wear...
Does anyone know what the reality is please?

That may well (or not) be the case for cars registered in France, but it does not apply to tourists passing through.

Don't forget your (original) V5, licence and Insurance Certificate though, and a bulb kit, warning triangle and reflective jacket for each traveller.

[6pi]

I'm French and I confirm that it is forbidden here to run a car with mismatched tyres on the same axle. I do not see why it should not apply to foreign cars as well as local ones... but to be honest it is very unlikely to be fined for such a motive. Cops will be mainly looking speed, insurance and so on.

That being said it would be a sensible thing to do to get the issue sorted, before worrying about fines safety should be the priority.

Edited by 6pi on Wednesday 13th August 01:06

[lightthefuse]

Fartgalen said:

You're not allowed to mix radial and crossply. There's no requirement to have the same manufacturer or tread pattern.

OK, news to me! I knew about not mixing radials and crossplys (and who would want to do that?), but wonder what rule I've misinterpreted in that case. In fact I've just looked at the Transport Ministry's site and the rules are now a hell of a lot simpler than I remember them being taught to me, and that was only 6 years ago!

In other words, ignore everything I've just said...

[gtidriver]

My mate had a blowout in the middle of France. After the car was recovered to a garage by green flag, the garage said he had to replace both tyres as this was the law,two days of arguing and waiting for the tyre to arrive he drove home on the donut spare wheel. The tyres where about 2000 miles old,so only one needed to be replaced. A bit shifty, maybe the French transport minister has shares in a tyre company;)

[Russwhitehouse]

People get far too worried about driving in France and all the rules they think they have to obey. In my experience with the Gendarmes ( and there have been a few!) they are only interested in license, insurance and mot. Things like triangles, breathalysers, yellow vests etc never get a mention and judging by the appalling condition of many cars on the road over here, the average Brit car will be a shining paragon of virtue.

[littleredrooster]

6pi said:

I do not see why it should not apply to foreign cars as well as local ones...

Because no country can impose its standards on visitor's vehicles. If it's legal in its home country, it's legal as a visitor elsewhere.

The alternative would be a 'Test Centre' at each border crossing to ensure compliance.

In France, the roadworthiness test is every two years, IIRC; in the UK it's every year. Do all French cars have to pass an extra test before coming here? No - thought not.

[6pi]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

Exactly this!

Legal in home country = legal on tour!

Germany requires any mods to have a TuV certificate, do you think that Brits on ring trips have TuV certificates for every little change on their car.... hell no!

Its also why single rear fog lights (off set to one side) are legal if you are only visiting the country.

I agree with that but in my opinion the matter is a little bit different here. We're talking of a visbible "modification" that affects direclty safety. If you're stopped by the Police because there isn't enough thread left on your tires for instance, I'm not sure they will bother to check what is the legal limit in the UK vs. France (how could they anyway, on the side of the road ?)

[Hugo a Gogo]

is 3 or 4 mm "plenty"

[strath44]

Silvertop, not sure where you are at on this one, personally by the sound of it I would just change them.

Personally I by my tyres from Camskill or Oponeo unfitted online but delivered and get them fitted by our local Indy who charges about £6-10 per wheel depending on the size inc valve and fitting. By doing it this way I get the tyres I want with no BS and they are fitted properly!

[Silvertop]

Thanks both. I've decided to not risk it given that the tyres are already worn and while the chances of getting caught are low, the cost of the possible fines means that it's just not worth it.

[J4CKO]

Is this part of the same rule set that dictates no straight panels on any French Car ?