Rules for winter tires in Macedonia: what foreign drivers must know

Macedonian winter driving rules are stricter than they appear on paper. Between **November 15 and March 15**, you cannot legally drive a car here without M+S (mud and snow) tires or all-season tires with an M+S marking. Police checks are routine on the A1 highway, the road to Mavrovo and Galičica, as well as at the Tetovo and Bitola exits. Fines for foreigners start from €50, and the car may be impounded until the problem is resolved.

Here's exactly what you need to know if you're renting a car in Macedonia between mid-November and mid-March.

The Law November 15 – March 15

Article 235 of the Law on Road Traffic Safety of Macedonia requires winter equipment on all vehicles during these four months, regardless of the weather conditions on a given day. "Winter equipment" means:

• •**Tires marked with M+S (or "M.S." / "Mud + Snow")** on all four wheels — minimum
• •**OR** tires with the official **3PMSF** snowflake symbol (alpine pictogram) — even better, accepted across the EU
• •**AND** chains in the trunk (mandatory during the period; mandatory to be fitted on certain mountain roads when there is snow)

The minimum tread depth is 4 mm — double the summer minimum. The rental partner is responsible for handing over the vehicle in compliance; this is checked upon handover.

What's included in winter rentals at mkrent.mk

Every Mkrent partner renting in winter must, by agreement:

• •Hand over the vehicle with M+S tires fitted
• •Provide a working set of chains in the trunk (sized appropriately for the wheels)
• •Guarantee that the windshield washer fluid is winter-grade (antifreeze down to −20 °C)
• •Check that the spare tire is also M+S

If you arrive for pickup and something is missing, refuse the vehicle and call the partner number — Mkrent's policy is to provide a suitable replacement within 90 minutes or refund the full amount.

Where chains are mandatory

The rule for chains in the trunk is universal from Nov 15 to Mar 15. The rule for chains on the wheels applies only on certain roads, marked with a white circle depicting a tire with chains:

• •**R29 from Mavrovi Anovi to Debar** — the snowiest road in Macedonia
• •**R1102 to Popova Šapka ski resort** above the lower gondola station
• •**R1106 over the Galičica pass** when there is snow on the road
• •**A2 through the Babuna section** (Veles-Prilep) during heavy snow

Signs are removed when conditions are dry. If you've never fitted chains, the partner agent will demonstrate at pickup. AMSM (the Macedonian auto club) has free roadside assistance that helps with fitting chains — call **196**, an English-speaking operator is available.

Penalties for non-compliance

Police checks are frequent at Tetovo (A1 km 32), Bitola (A3 km 8), and Ohrid (R1101 entrance). Penalties:

• •Without M+S tires: **€50–€150** depending on the month (higher in January and February)
• •Without chains in the trunk during the period: **€30**
• •Insufficient tread depth: **€100** plus possible impoundment of the car until replaced
• •Driving without chains where the sign is present: **€200** plus the car may be turned back

Foreigners pay these fines on the spot in cash (Macedonian Denars only) or receive a 30-day order. Unpaid fines are enforced at exit borders.

What to do if it snows during your rental

You wake up in your hotel and there's snow on the cars. Don't panic — Macedonian highways are aggressively cleared. Highways A1 and A2 are usually clear by 7:00 AM even after overnight snow. Mountain roads (Mavrovo, Galičica) take longer.

If your route that day includes a section with mandatory chains:

1. Call AMSM (196) for road status — free service, English available

2. Park in a covered or sunny spot to remove ice

3. Fit the chains before you reach the marked section, not at the sign — pull over earlier

4. Drive a maximum of 50 km/h with chains; avoid abrupt braking

Rental agreements allow for delayed departure due to weather without penalty, as long as you call the partner before the original handover time expires.

Driving in snow: the basics

Even with M+S tires and chains, driving in snow in the Balkans has habits that surprise visitors from flatter countries:

• •**Following distance is double that of summer** — a minimum of 5 seconds on the highway
• •**Black ice** is common in Mavrovo and Galičica between 04:00 and 09:00 — drive 30 km/h below the limit until 09:00 in winter
• •**Abrupt steering corrections** cause spinning with all-season tires on real snow; stay in your lane and brake early
• •**Low beams are mandatory by law all year round** in Macedonia — keep them always on

What kind of car works

For winter rentals, prioritize:

• •**AWD/4WD SUV** if driving Mavrovo, Galičica, or going to Popova Šapka — adds €15-25/day but often saves you the hassle of chains
• •**Front-wheel drive sedan** only for city + highway — good 80% of the time, with chains in the trunk for the other 20%
• •**Avoid rear-wheel drive coupes** in winter if you have no prior snow experience

Most rented winter cars at Mkrent: **Hyundai Tucson AWD** (€42/day) and **VW Tiguan** (€48/day) — both come with all M+S equipment standard.

[Browse our winter-ready fleet](/cars) or [book a chauffeur](/chauffeur) if you want a local driver to handle winter roads.

Macedonian winter is short but real. The November 15 – March 15 rules exist because mountain roads are no joke when it snows. Choose a partner who hands over the vehicle with everything fitted, do a 60-second check at pickup, and you'll be the safest driver on the road — most rental companies still get this wrong.