Winter tyres

Winter tyres are mandatory in Estonia from 1 December to 1 March. The period can be extended by regulation according to road and weather conditions, so it is worth checking the requirement in force in a given year.

The minimum tread depth for a winter tyre during the winter period is 3 mm (1.6 mm for a summer tyre). Below 3 mm the tyre no longer meets the winter requirement even if it is marked as a winter tyre.

In practice it pays to change earlier than the date demands: a summer compound stiffens at around +7 °C and braking distances grow even on dry roads. Choose studs if you drive icy rural roads, friction if you are mostly in town or want a quieter tyre.