From 15 November to 1 April, every passenger car and goods vehicle driving in Montenegro in winter conditions, when snow is falling or there is snow, ice or black ice on the road, must have winter tyres on all wheels, with a tread at least 4 mm deep. On roads the Ministry of the Interior names in an order, winter tyres are compulsory during that period even without snow. Since August 2026 a driver without winter tyres in winter conditions faces a fine of 500 to 1,000 euros or up to 60 days in prison.
The rules come from the Law on Road Traffic Safety, amended in July 2026, and the ministry's annual order on the roads where winter tyres are compulsory. This guide explains when and for which vehicles the obligation applies, what the order means, what the fines are and what applies to rental cars and vehicles on foreign plates.
When are winter tyres compulsory?
| Question | Rule |
| Period | From 15 November to 1 April |
| Vehicles | Passenger cars (category M) and goods vehicles (category N) |
| Conditions | Winter conditions: falling snow, or snow, ice or black ice on the road |
| Wheels | Winter tyres on all wheels |
| Tread depth | At least 4 mm |
| Roads under the order | Winter tyres compulsory for all motor vehicles even without winter conditions |
The general obligation in the law is tied to winter conditions. If during that period you drive on a dry road on the coast and the road is not in the order, the law does not require winter tyres, but you must have them as soon as you meet snow, ice or black ice. So for a trip north or into the mountains, fit winter tyres before you set off.
What is the order, and which roads does it cover?
Every year the Ministry of the Interior issues an order listing the roads and road sections where winter tyres are compulsory for all motor vehicles, whether or not there is snow. The order for winter 2025/2026, published on 29 October 2025, applied from 15 November 2025 to 1 April 2026 and covered, among others:
- the Smokovac to Mateševo motorway;
- the Petrovac to Sotonići road;
- the Carev Laz, Cetinje, Budva road;
- the Lipci, Grahovo, Vilusi road;
- the roads from Bioče via Kolašin to Bijelo Polje and the Serbian border;
- the roads towards Berane, Rožaje, Žabljak, Pljevlja, Plav and Gusinje;
- the Cetinje, Njeguši, Trojica road and the Bar, Sutorman, Virpazar road.
Before winter 2026/2027, check the new order, because the ministry sets the list of roads separately for each winter. On a road under the order, winter tyres must not have a tread of less than 4 mm.
What are the fines?
| Offence | Fine |
| A driver drives a car or goods vehicle in winter conditions between 15 November and 1 April without winter tyres on all wheels | 500 to 1,000 euros or up to 60 days in prison |
| A driver on a road under the order drives without winter tyres or with less than the required tread | 150 to 300 euros |
| A company lets its vehicle on the road in winter conditions without winter tyres | 3,000 to 6,000 euros |
| A company lets a vehicle with less than 4 mm of tread on the road between 15 November and 1 April | 1,500 to 4,000 euros |
These fines apply since the amendments that took effect in August 2026. The police will order a driver travelling on snow or black ice without winter equipment to use it, and if the driver does not, they will take the vehicle off the road.
What applies to rental cars and vehicles on foreign plates?
The obligation applies to all passenger cars and goods vehicles on the road in Montenegro, including rental cars and vehicles registered abroad. If you rent a car in winter, check before you collect it that it has winter tyres, especially if you are heading to Žabljak, Kolašin or Cetinje. The rules for young drivers, insurance and fines with a rental car are explained in our guide to renting a car.
The article of the law on winter tyres does not mention snow chains as a substitute for them. Motorcycles and mopeds are not covered by the general obligation in the law, because it applies to vehicles in categories M and N. The ministry order, however, requires winter tyres on all motor vehicles on the roads it lists, motorcycles and mopeds included.
How do tyres affect the technical inspection and insurance?
A technical inspection station may not certify a vehicle as roadworthy if its tread is below the prescribed depth, so replace worn tyres before the inspection, as described in our guide to vehicle registration and the technical inspection. If you have an accident on snow or ice, the procedure with the police and the European accident report is explained in our article on car insurance.
When you buy used winter tyres, measure the tread depth and check the sidewalls for damage. Tyre fitting and balancing can also be booked through the Glatko platform.
Frequently asked questions
When are winter tyres compulsory in Montenegro? From 15 November to 1 April, when you drive in winter conditions, and on roads under the ministry order during that period even without snow.
Do I need winter tyres on the coast? The law requires them in winter conditions and on roads under the order. The Carev Laz, Cetinje, Budva road was on the list for winter 2025/2026, so you need them for that route.
What is the fine for driving without winter tyres? In winter conditions 500 to 1,000 euros or up to 60 days in prison, and on a road under the order 150 to 300 euros.
How deep must the tread on winter tyres be? At least 4 mm between 15 November and 1 April.
Does the obligation apply to motorcycles? Not under the general rule in the law, which applies to passenger cars and goods vehicles, categories M and N. On the roads in the ministry order, winter tyres are required on all motor vehicles, motorcycles included.
Does it also apply to tourists on foreign plates? Yes. It applies to all passenger cars and goods vehicles on the road in Montenegro, whatever their registration.
Sources
The obligation is governed by the Law on Road Traffic Safety (Official Gazette of Montenegro 33/2012, 58/2014, 14/2017 and 66/2019, amended by 111/2026, Articles 132, 260, 303, 315 to 318 and 322). The roads for winter 2025/2026 were set by the Order on the period and roads where winter tyres are compulsory (Official Gazette of Montenegro 126/2025). The legislation was checked on 25 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform and does not give legal advice; for a specific road and conditions, follow the announcements of the Police Directorate and the ministry.