On April 4, 2017, amendments to the traffic rules came into force, which introduced a fine of 500 rubles for the absence of the "Spikes" sign. The traffic police told what the “Ships” sign should be according to GOST, where to install it and how to make it yourself without buying it in a store. In addition, from the site you can download the sign "Ships" for free, which fully complies with GOST.
From April 4, 2017, drivers driving a car on studded tires without the "Spike" sign face a fine of 500 rubles.
According to GOST, the sign "Spikes" should be a white equilateral triangle with a red border, set with the top up. In its center should be the letter "Sh" in black. The side of the triangle should be at least 20 cm long, the width of the red stripe bordering the edges should be 2 cm.
We previously reported that after the entry into force of the amendments, there was a shortage of these signs in stores.
The traffic police said that the sign "Ships" is not necessary to buy - you can make it yourself. For example, download an image of a sign, print it on a color printer and stick it on the car. The main thing is that it meets the requirements of GOST in size and color. By the way, most commercially available GOST signs do not comply - they are too small in size.
Download the sign "Spikes" according to GOST
As for the installation site, this is not clearly spelled out in the SDA. But you need to install a sign in the back of the car so that other road users can see it. Most often, the sign "Spikes" is glued to the rear window of the car.
Permanent snow cover has been established in the Altai Territory. In this regard, most (adequate) car owners managed to change summer tires to winter ones. For several weeks now, Barnaul residents have been wondering whether it is necessary to glue the “Ships” sign in 2017, where it should be placed, and in which case the traffic police inspector, despite the presence of “Sh”, can still issue a fine, about this in the “Question- answer".
Is it necessary to install the sign "Spikes"?
If your car has studded tires, then the installation of such a sign is mandatory for you. These changes to the Rules of the Road came into force on April 4, 2017 (Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of March 24, 2017 No. 333). The list of malfunctions or conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited is supplemented by clause 7.15 note 1.
Now, in the absence of the “Sh” sign on a car with studded tires, the traffic police officer has the right to issue a fine of 500 rubles or issue a warning for the first time (paragraph 2.5 of part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses - failure to comply with the conditions for ensuring road safety). The State traffic inspectorate of the city of Barnaul explained that drivers who have not had a single administrative offense over the past year can count on loyalty, the rest will have to pay a fine. By the way, it will be possible to pay it with a 50% discount if it is done within 20 days from the date of the decision.
Where should the spike sign be placed?
The "Spikes" sign should inform other drivers that you are using tires equipped with spikes, which means that your braking distance on an icy road can be much shorter, and longer on asphalt.
A sign with a black letter "Ш" in a red triangular border on a white background should be placed at the back. Where exactly - each driver decides for himself. The main thing is that it is clearly visible to other road users and does not cover the license plate and lights. It is usually glued on the rear window, trunk lid or bumper.
It is much more important that the sign be "correct".
What size should the "W" sign be?
The requirements for the size of the identification mark are set out in the basic provisions for the admission of vehicles for operation. According to them, the sign "Thorns" is an equilateral triangle of white color with the apex upwards with a red border, in which the letter "Ш" of black color is inscribed. Moreover, each side of the triangle must be at least 20 cm, the width of the border - 1/10 of the side, in other words, at least 2 cm.
To determine the size of the sign, you can attach an A4 sheet to it. Its smaller side is 21 cm.
In car shops today, in conditions of hype, these stickers often sell smaller signs than are regulated by the rules. If your letter "Sh" does not meet the requirements, you may be fined.
By the way, the "correct sign" can be downloaded from the Internet and printed on a color inkjet printer, then laminated in a photo studio.
From November 29, 2018, by a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, the obligation to glue the “Spikes” sign on the car was removed from drivers. Now its presence is only advisory in nature and is not punishable by fines. Below is the article before the changes on 11/29/2018.
The parameters of signs placed on the glass of a vehicle have recently had to be strictly observed. In particular, car owners should know the dimensions of the “Spikes” sign according to GOST, since the slightest deviation from the norm cancels the presence of the symbol and entails a fine, as if it were not there at all.
What is a sign and its meaning
The identification symbol "Spikes" is a sticker in the form of a white triangle with equal sides, whose borders are painted in red and inside which the letter "Ш" is depicted in black. The pointer indicates that this vehicle has studded tires.
According to part 8 of the set of regulations on the admission of a car for use, as well as clause 2.3.1. SDA, the sign "Spikes" is included in the list of identification symbols, whose installation on the vehicle is mandatory. Provided that the car has studded tires.
In practice, car owners do not always place the required symbol on the car. This is fundamentally wrong. From 04/04/2017, the absence of the "Spikes" indicator is equated to the presence of a malfunction, which accordingly imposes a ban on admission to driving vehicles. In other words, the presence of studded tires in the absence of a sign is a gross violation.
Identification mark size
According to the state standard, the parameters of the identification indicator "Spikes" are the following dimensions:
- the length of each side of the triangle figure is not less than 20 cm;
- the width of the red strip located along the edge of the figure is 1/10 of the length of one side of the triangle, in other words, at least 2 cm.
It is important to accurately observe the dimensions of the identification mark. The slightest deviation from the norm will automatically entail the loss of legal force by the symbol. And even if there is a pointer, but, for example, a smaller one, it will be considered that there is none on the machine.
The sign can be purchased at any auto goods store and even at a gas station, but most often such copies are far from the parameters required by the state.
It is also not forbidden to print the symbol yourself using a color printer. And some car owners even draw a sign by hand. In fact, how the pointer is made does not matter. The main thing is that if there are studded tires on the car, the car is equipped with a sign whose dimensions comply with the standards.
Where should the sign be placed?
As for the point where the pointer should be pasted, it must be placed on the back of the vehicle. Since there is no more specific information on this issue in the code of traffic rules, we can say that it is permissible to install a sign on the rear window of the car, both outside and inside, as well as on the lid or tailgate, and even on the bumper of the vehicle. In practice, the most optimal place to place the sign is the rear window of the car.
Responsibility for the absence of a mark
Since the absence of the “Spikes” symbol is equated to a malfunction of the vehicle, the traffic police inspector has the right to impose a penalty on the car owner in the form of a fine. This is regulated by Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code. Since the spring of 2017, the amount of the penalty is 500 rubles.
The “Spikes” sign, placed on a car with studded tires on it, has certain parameters established by the state. When preparing the index, you should carefully check whether its dimensions comply with the regulated standards. The slightest inaccuracy will lead to the fact that the identification mark will not have power, for which the car owner may be punished in the form of penalties.
Since April 1, 2017, information about changes in traffic rules began to spin at the hearing of motorists in Russia. One of the main issues that has been worrying domestic drivers since then is the following - is the spike sign mandatory or not in 2017. Previously, car owners rarely thought about this, since the law did not provide for the use of an appropriate sticker. According to the new rules, which came into force on April 4, absolutely all drivers, before “changing shoes” for their vehicle for the winter, must worry about acquiring the Spike badge. We will tell you below why it is important to install this sign and how to do it correctly.
The legislative framework
A new approach to the duties that a driver must comply with on the roads of Russia, changes in the rules for operating vehicles are the most important information that every current or future car owner should know about. The law, which has undergone changes effective since April 4, 2017, is not the only reason for revising its attitude to the use of identification marks. The list of documents regulating this issue is somewhat wider and includes such of them as:
- Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation “On the Rules of the Road” (dated October 23, 1993 N 1090 (as amended on March 24, 2017), namely, the main provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation (clause 8);
- Rules of the road for 2017 (clause 2.3.1);
- Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses (Article 12.5, part 1)
Independent production and installation of the sign “Spikes”
In accordance with the law, including the amendments effective April 4, 2017, there are certain requirements for the “Spikes” sign. The updated set of rules DD spelled out the general view and the place of its attachment. All this is thought out in such a way that other drivers will probably be warned that the “shoes” of your car are studded, and, consequently, its braking distance will be shortened. All this does not exclude at all, but rather makes it possible to independently make the appropriate sticker - the main thing is that 3 important conditions are met, namely:
- The sign “Spikes”, without fail, must have the shape of a triangle (equilateral) with the letter “Ш” inscribed in it. The background of the sticker is white, the border is red, and the inscription is black;
- The length of each side of this sign is at least 20 cm.
- The requirements for the red border stipulate that its width should reach 10% of the given length of the sides of the triangle (that is, 2 cm).
On many resources from the Internet, you can download ready-made forms and print the sign yourself on A4 paper. Just do not stick it on the tape, but use three special suction cups (one for each of the vertices of the triangle). Firstly, the adhesive tape will leave traces on the glass, and secondly, it will hardly be possible to reuse the template. And although the legislation does not prescribe the need to remove such a sticker in the summer, when the wheels of your car can take a break from studded tires, it is still advisable to do this so as not to mislead other road users and not force them to keep a distance between their own and your transport.
Responsibility of the car owner for non-compliance with the rules for using the vehicle
For driving on studded wheels, without a sign warning other drivers about it, the car owner bears administrative responsibility. Changes in the rules of DD, effective from April 4, 2017, provide for the imposition of a fine of 500 rubles(Art. 12.5, paragraph 1). The correct and permissible operation of vehicles consists in the mandatory use of special tires in the winter - driving on spiked wheels. One of the best, as the experience of motorists shows, is European-style tires. You can buy and install such tires at any popular car dealership.
Inspection and identification marks on a car: to install or not to install (“before” or “after”), that is the question
As mentioned earlier, the fine for the spike sign in 2017, or rather, for its absence on the visible rear of the vehicle, is 500 rubles. The technical inspection procedure, which is mandatory on the territory of the Russian Federation, involves checking the vehicle’s compliance with a variety of requirements, including the presence of such a designation as the “Spikes” sign. This procedure will not end successfully and the car owner will be denied a technical card if spikes are found on the wheels of the car, and there is no sticker indicating this. We repeat that the presence of a sign with the letter “Ш” in the summer, when the car is “shod” in ordinary tires, is not considered a violation, but it is advisable to remove it for as long as there is no need to change tires. If you still have not purchased the “Spikes” badge, correct this omission as soon as possible and use the sticker for its intended purpose, as soon as you start preparing your car for winter.
The rules of the road classify the sign "Spikes" as a category of vehicle identification marks. Made in the format standard for most warning signs, the “Spikes” sign is placed directly on the car in order to warn other road users about the presence of studded tires on the vehicle.
Is it necessary to install the sign "Thorns"? Who and when should install a warning sign "Spikes" on a car? What should it be according to GOST? Where to stick the "Spikes" sign on the vehicle in order to avoid a fine - in what place and from which side? Let's figure it out!
Reasons for the mandatory placement of the “Spikes” sign on a car
Studded tires are designed to make driving on ice or packed snow safer, while steel rods built into the tread significantly increase the tire's grip on an icy or snowy road surface.
On the other hand, in other conditions, studded tires can act as a dangerous factor that can indirectly cause an accident. For example, a car with such tires has a shorter braking distance, which is useful for the driver of a car moving behind.
In addition, rubber with high traction properties on the road with fine gravel causes stones to fly out from under the wheels. The latter can damage the body of a car following such a car in heavy traffic. The studs themselves carry the same danger: when subjected to high loads, studded wheels often lose these metal rods, which also fly out from under the wheels at a very high speed.
In this regard, a car marked with a "Spike" sign will pose less danger to other vehicles in the vicinity, as their owners will be warned of the possible consequences.
This conclusion was also made by the experts who initiated the issuance of amendments to the regulations governing the rules for the operation of studded car tires.
The sign "Spikes" on the car: what the rules of the road say
The SDA does not directly indicate the need to place the “Spikes” sign on your vehicle, but this obligation is based on the requirements of paragraph 2.3.1 of the Rules of the Road, according to which any operated vehicle must comply with the requirements prescribed in the Basic Provisions for the admission of the vehicle to participate in the road movement.
According to Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 333 of March 24, 2017, since April 2017, the list of these provisions has been replenished with paragraph No. 8, which obliges owners of cars equipped with studded tires to place the “Spikes” sign on their cars. Among the requirements is not only its presence, but also the compliance of the designation with the state standard (GOST), as well as the rules for placing the sign, which are specified in the same paragraph 8 of the Basic Provisions.
What should be the sign "Spikes" according to GOST 2017: size and appearance
For warning road signs in the SDA, a format has been developed that is designed to make them most visible to road users. A white triangle with a bright red border is great for attracting attention, so the developers of the state standard made the following requirements for the design of the Spikes sign:
- shape - an equilateral white triangle;
- the presence of a red border;
- the presence of a black printed letter "Sh" on a white background.
The size of the sign "Spikes": the minimum allowable size of the “Spikes” sign according to GOST is 20 cm. This is how much the length of the side of the triangle should be, according to experts, so that the sign is clearly visible. The standard also establishes requirements for the width of the border - 1/10 of the length of the side of the triangle, i.e. with a sign size of 20 cm, the width of the red border should be 2 cm.
According to GOST, any suitable material, including paper or plastic, can be taken as the basis for the image of the Spikes sign. This means that the required designation can be drawn on plain or self-adhesive paper in order to subsequently place the sign on the vehicle. Other methods of fastening are also allowed, including special suction cups, which are optimal for fixing signs made of plastic.
Where to glue the sign "Spikes" according to GOST - in what place and from which side
Paragraph 8 of the "Basic Provisions for the Admission of Vehicles to Participate in Road Traffic" prescribes the placement of the "Spikes" sign at the rear of the vehicle. Legislators do not indicate a more precise wording, so car owners are actually invited to choose their own place for attaching the designation.
The rear of the vehicle is represented by the surfaces of the rear window, trunk lid and bumper, therefore, the “Spikes” sign must be within these body elements. What to prefer to make the designation more visible?
A conscientious driver will definitely try to place the “Spikes” warning sign in such a way that it always remains visible to other road users.
Here, one should take into account not only the size of the sign sufficient for identification, but also its location: the bumper and the surface of the trunk will not be the best choice if only because they are most often covered with a layer of road dirt that completely covers the glued sign.
The best option is the rear window, which is less dirty and behind which you can hide a paper sign that is afraid of moisture.
Thus, the question of where the “Spikes” sign should be glued according to GOST is not entirely correct: the state standard establishes requirements only for the size and appearance of the warning sign, while its location can be any surface of the rear of the car (in accordance with the standards "Basic provisions for the admission of the vehicle to participate in road traffic").
Penalties for driving a car without the sign "Spikes"
The obligatory installation of the “Spikes” sign on a car with studded tires is indicated not only by the Basic Provisions for the admission of a vehicle to participate in road traffic, but also by the content of part 1 of article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. According to the amendments, since April 2017, traffic police inspectors have the right to fine car owners who operate vehicles equipped with spiked tires and do not have the appropriate “Spikes” warning sign. The article provides for punishment in the form warnings or a fine of 500 rubles, and the decision on what kind of punishment the violator will be subjected to remains with the inspector.
Important! If you could not get off with a warning, remember the opportunity that violators are given by Federal Law No. 437-FZ, which entered into force in 2016. We are talking about a 50 percent discount on fines for conscientious payers: if payment is made within 20 days after the decision is made, the amount of the fine is halved. Failure to comply with clause 2.3.1 of the Rules of the Road is included in the list of violations for which such a discount is allowed, therefore, in the absence of the “Spikes” sign, the driver can count on a fine of 250 rubles.
Remember that you can always avoid trouble and save money, time and nerves if you take care of bringing your vehicle in proper condition in advance. Purchase or make your own “Spikes” sign, install it on your car and safely move along the roads without the risk of being fined!
How to make the sign "Thorns" yourself
The “Spikes” sign, made in accordance with the requirements of GOST, can be purchased at specialized car dealerships or at gas stations. It can be in the form of a plastic triangular plate with suction cups or be a sticker. The cheapest options are a regular picture made on plain paper, which will remain glued with stationery tape.
At the same time, the absence of strict requirements regarding the manufacturing technology of the Spikes sign allows you to make such an image yourself. To do this, follow the simple instructions:
- Prepare a white sheet of A4 paper (21 cm wide), a ruler, a pencil, black and red markers, and scissors.
- Using a pencil and a ruler, draw an equilateral triangle measuring 20x20x20 cm on the sheet.
- Mark the borders of the border, for which step back from the borders of the triangle by 2 cm.
- In the center of the triangle, draw a large printed letter "Sh".
- Color the border with a red marker and make the letter black.
- Cut out the resulting image along the contour.
Download the sign "Spikes" for printing in natural size in accordance with GOST
Another way to quickly make a sign is to download and print its template, made in pdf format. You can find the required sample on our website: click on and download the warning sign "Spikes" in accordance with GOST, made in the desired colors. You can print such an image on any color printer. If you don't have access to such equipment, make a black and white version of the sign and color it in by hand.
Using studded tires abroad
Many of those who often make road trips abroad have to study the peculiarities of the traffic rules of the countries they visit. Europe is famous for the good quality of its roads, but few people know that in most European countries the operation of studded tires is prohibited by law. Local authorities consider them to be the cause of premature destruction of the roadway, therefore they strictly monitor the observance of the ban established for lovers of studded rubber.
The exception is the Scandinavian states, known for their harsh climate. In Finland, studded tires are allowed, but they can only be used during a strictly designated period - from November 1 to March 31. Similar rules apply in Norway and Sweden and other Nordic countries. At the same time, there are often additional requirements for the design of such tires: for example, in Finland, 13-inch rubber for passenger cars cannot have more than 90 studs. In addition, these studs may not protrude more than 1.2 mm beyond the tread line.
Studded tires are banned in Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Turkey. Studded tires are allowed to be used in Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Armenia, Great Britain, Greece, Georgia, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Spain, Ukraine, France, Sweden, Estonia.
In a number of European countries, winter tires with special snow chains are a legal alternative to studded tires.