Tyre calendar for drivers in Estonia
When to change between summer and winter tyres?
All the deadlines set by Estonian law, plus practical advice, on one page — so a tyre change never catches you by surprise.
Today, 28 July 2026
Summer tyre season
Drive on summer tyres. The next tyre change comes in autumn — studded tyres are allowed from 15 October, and winter tyres are mandatory from 1 December.
deadline (1 Dec)
Year calendar
When each tyre type is allowed, recommended or mandatory. The vertical line marks today.
← Swipe the calendar sideways →
Studded tyres become legal. In winter conditions, already from 1 October.
Winter tyres (studded or studless) are mandatory for all passenger cars.
The winter tyre requirement ends — summer tyres are allowed again.
Absolute last day for studded tyres (31 March in normal conditions; until 30 April only in winter conditions).
Legal requirements
Minimum requirements for passenger cars (gross weight up to 3,500 kg) under the Estonian Traffic Act.
Minimum winter tyre tread depth
For safety, at least 4–5 mm is recommended.
Minimum summer tyre tread depth
At least 3 mm is recommended for grip on wet roads.
Marking
A studless winter tyre must carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) mark — the M+S marking alone is no longer enough.
Matching tyres
All four wheels must have the same type of tyre — mixing studded and studless tyres is not allowed.
Winter tyre markings
The sidewall of a tyre carries small symbols and letters that tell you whether it is suitable for winter. Two of them are worth knowing.
3PMSF
A real winter tyreThree-Peak Mountain Snowflake
The symbol is only granted once a tyre has passed an actual snow grip test. In Estonia it is mandatory for studless winter tyres — since autumn 2024, a studless winter tyre without this mark is no longer valid. When buying new tyres, always choose this mark.
M+S (or M&S)
No longer counts as a winter tyreMud + Snow
The manufacturer's own declaration about the tread pattern — there is no mandatory test behind it. Since 1 October 2024, a tyre marked only M+S no longer counts as a winter tyre in Estonia: the marking is valid only together with the 3PMSF mark. It also appears frequently on summer and all-season tyres.
Where to find them on the tyre?
All markings are moulded into the tyre's sidewall together with the size and the DOT code — its last four digits show the week and year of manufacture (e.g. 3524 = week 35 of 2024). A good winter tyre usually carries both the M+S and 3PMSF marks — if you only see M+S, it is more likely a summer or all-season tyre, which no longer counts as a winter tyre in Estonia. On studded and studless winter tyres, the word “Winter” or an icon on the sidewall also points to winter use.
Tyre change tips
The law sets the limits, but the weather decides the right moment.
Follow the +7 °C rule
When the daily average temperature stays below +7 °C, summer tyres lose their grip — it is time to change. In spring, the opposite applies.
Don't wait for the first snow
Workshop queues form right after the first icy morning. Book your slot in early October and skip the peak season.
Check the age of your tyres
Tyre rubber ages even in storage. Tyres older than 6–7 years should be replaced even if the tread looks fine — check the DOT code on the sidewall: the last four digits show the week and year of manufacture (e.g. 3524 = week 35 of 2024).
Don't drive on winter tyres in summer
Soft winter tyres wear quickly on warm tarmac, lengthen the braking distance and increase fuel consumption.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive on studless winter tyres all year round?+
Yes, studless winter tyres (friction tyres) are legal all year round. In summer, however, they are more dangerous and wear faster — especially soft Nordic-compound tyres — so fitting summer tyres for the warm season is recommended.
Are all studless winter tyres the same?+
No, there are two types. Nordic (soft-compound) friction tyres are made for harsh winters — grip holds even in deep frost, but they wear quickly on warm tarmac. Central European winter tyres use a harder compound and behave more like all-season tyres: fine for regions with mild winters, but they lose grip in severe cold. For Estonian winters the Nordic type is the better fit; both are legal if they carry the 3PMSF mark.
Which tyres can I drive on in April?+
In April, both summer tyres and studless winter tyres are allowed. Studded tyres may be used in April only when winter road conditions occur — in normal conditions their last day is 31 March.
What happens if I drive on the wrong tyres?+
Driving on the wrong tyres can result in a fine, and after an accident your insurer may refuse to pay out. During the mandatory winter period (1 December – 1 March), driving on summer tyres is prohibited even on dry tarmac.
Can studded and studless tyres be mixed?+
No. All wheels must have the same type of tyre — either all studded or all studless. Using different tyre types at the same time is prohibited and dangerous, because their grip differs significantly.
What tyres does a trailer need?+
A braked trailer (category O2, gross weight over 750 kg) must have winter tyres during the winter period of 1 December – 1 March, and the tyre type must match the towing car — if the car has studded tyres, the trailer must have studded tyres too; studless tyres must carry the 3PMSF mark. Light unbraked trailers up to 750 kg (O1) have no tyre type requirement.
Is the M+S marking enough for a winter tyre?+
No. Since 1 October 2024, a tyre marked only M+S no longer counts as a winter tyre in Estonia — a studless winter tyre must carry the 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) mark. M+S may appear on the tyre, but only together with the 3PMSF mark. Off-road tyres marked POR are an exception.