Italy Sets Summer Tire Change Window and Safety Guidelines

Italian law opens a seasonal window from 15 April to 15 May for drivers to replace winter tyres with summer tyres. After 15 May, using winter tyres with a lower speed index than the vehicle’s registration can result in administrative fines of €422‑€1,695 and possible removal of the registration document. Winter tyres whose speed index matches or exceeds the recorded rating may still be used, while all‑season tyres are allowed year‑round if they meet the vehicle’s specifications.

Summer tyres are designed for temperatures above 7 °C, offering a harder compound and tread pattern that improve steering precision, braking distance, cornering stability and fuel efficiency. The guidance also explains how to read tyre markings: the DOT code’s last four digits show the production week and year (e.g., “2324” = 23rd week of 2024); tyres older than five years should be replaced and no longer used after ten years. The EU label grades tyres from A to E, with class A providing up to 18 m shorter wet‑braking distances and about 0.5 L/100 km lower fuel consumption compared with class E. Load (e.g., “91” = 615 kg) and speed (e.g., “V” = 240 km/h) indices must not be lower than those on the vehicle’s registration, and winter tyres require the 3PMSF snow‑flake symbol for adequate winter performance. Run‑flat tyres guarantee up to 80 km at 80 km/h after a puncture.