Winter tire rules in Macedonia: what foreign drivers need to know

Macedonia's winter driving rules are stricter than they appear on paper. **Between November 15 and March 15**, you cannot legally drive in Macedonia without M+S (mud and snow) or M+S marked all-season tires. Police checks are routine on the A1 motorway, on the Mavrovo and Galichica roads, and around the Tetova and Bitola exits. Fines for foreigners start from €50, and the vehicle may be impounded until the issue is resolved.

Here's exactly what you need to know if you're renting a car in Macedonia between November 15 and March 15.

November 15 – March 15 law

Article 235 of the Macedonian Road Traffic Safety Law mandates winter equipment for all vehicles during these four months, regardless of weather conditions. "Winter equipment" means:

• •**M+S (or "M.S." / "Mud + Snow") marked tires** on all four wheels — minimum
• •**OR** tires bearing the official **3PMSF** snowflake symbol (alpine pictogram) — better, accepted across the EU
• •**AND** snow chains in the trunk (mandatory to carry during the period; there are places where they must be fitted on snowy mountain roads)

Minimum tread depth is 4 mm — double the summer tire minimum. Your partner rental company is obliged to deliver the vehicle compliant; this is checked upon pickup.

What's included in Mkrent.mk winter rentals

Every Mkrent partner renting in winter is contractually obliged to:

• •Deliver the vehicle with M+S tires fitted
• •Provide a working set of snow chains in the trunk (matched to wheel size)
• •Guarantee that the windshield washer fluid is winter-grade (antifreeze down to −20 °C)
• •Check that the spare tire is also M+S

If any of these are missing upon pickup, refuse the vehicle and call the partner number — Mkrent's policy is to provide a compliant replacement within 90 minutes or refund the entire rental fee.

Where snow chains are mandatory

The rule for chains in the trunk is universal from November 15 to March 15. The rule for chains on wheels only applies on specific roads; look for the sign: a white circle showing a chained tire:

• •**R29 from Mavrovi Anovi to Debar** — Macedonia's snowiest road
• •**R1102 to Popova Šapka ski resort** above the gondola base station
• •**R1106 over Galichica pass** if there is snow on the road
• •**A2 motorway, Babuna section** (Veles-Prilep) during heavy snowfall events

Signs are removed when conditions are dry. If you've never fitted chains before, the partner agent will show you upon pickup. AMSM (Macedonian automobile club) offers free roadside assistance to help fit chains — call **196**, an English-speaking operator is available.

Penalties for non-compliance

Police checks are common at checkpoints in Tetova (A1 km 32), Bitola (A3 km 8), and Ohri (R1101 entrance). Penalties:

• •No M+S tires: **€50–€150** depending on the month (higher in January and February)
• •No chains in the trunk during the period: **€30**
• •Insufficient tread depth: **€100** plus the vehicle may be impounded until tires are replaced
• •Driving without chains when a sign is present: **€200** plus the vehicle may be turned back

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

What to do if it snows during your rental

You wake up at the hotel and there's snow on the cars. Don't panic — Macedonian motorways are aggressively cleared. A1 and A2 motorways are generally clear by 7:00 AM, even if it snowed overnight. Mountain roads (Mavrovo, Galichica) take longer.

If your route for the day includes a section where chains are mandatory:

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

2. Park in a sheltered or sunny spot to de-ice

3. Fit chains before reaching the signposted area, not at the sign — pull over earlier

4. Drive max 50 km/h with chains; avoid sudden braking

Rental agreements allow for weather-related delays without penalty by calling the partner before the original return time.

Driving in snow: basic rules

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

• •**Double the following distance in summer** — minimum 5-second gap on the motorway
• •**Black ice** is common in Mavrovo and Galichica between 04:00-09:00 — drive 30 km/h below the limit until 09:00 in winter
• •**Sudden steering corrections** trigger skids on real snow with all-season tires; stay in your lane and brake early
• •**Low beam headlights are legally mandatory year-round** in Macedonia — always keep them on

Which vehicle works best

Priority for winter rentals:

• •**AWD/4WD SUV if you're going to Mavrovo, Galichica, or Popova Šapka** — adds €15-25/day per rental but generally saves you the hassle of chains
• •**Front-wheel drive sedan for city + motorway only** — fine 80% of the time, for the remaining 20% have chains in the trunk
• •**Avoid rear-wheel drive coupes in winter** if you don't have prior snow driving experience

Mkrent's most rented winter vehicles: **Hyundai Tucson AWD** (€42/day) and **VW Tiguan** (€48/day) — both come with all M+S equipment as standard.

[Check out our winter-ready fleet](/cars) or [book a chauffeur](/chauffeur) if you want to leave the winter roads to a local driver.

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