Trucker tales: stories from the open road

As temperatures drop, Europe's roads demand more than just skill behind the wheel. They call for preparation, awareness and compliance with a complex patchwork of winter regulations that vary by country. For fleet operators running goods vehicles and HGVs across the UK and EU, understanding these rules is vital to avoiding penalties, downtime, or worse – accidents caused by inadequate preparation.This article outlines the key requirements for winter – from tyres and visibility rules to the latest lighting, windscreen and speed provisions – and explains how fleets can stay compliant and safe wherever the road takes them.Across most of Europe, there has been a shift toward 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) tyres as the recognised standard for winter performance. Heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW must now fit these tyres on the driving and steering axles in countries including , Switzerland and .While 3PMSF tyres provide reliable grip in cold or moderately snowy conditions, they cannot legally replace snow chains when required by law or signpost. For fleets operating in mountainous terrain, carrying snow chains remains an essential part of winter readiness.It’s important to note that M+S (Mud and Snow) tyres are being phased out. In Germany, M+S tyres manufactured before 1st January 2018 were accepted until 30th September 2024. As of , only tyres bearing the Alpine (3PMSF) symbol are permitted in winter conditions. M+S tyres remain legally accepted only as transitional equipment in a few southern or eastern states.In Austria, winter tyres are compulsory between 1st November and 15th April, with of 5mm (radial) or 6mm (cross-ply) tread depth for heavy goods vehicles. France's "mountain law" (Loi Montagne II) in Alpine and Pyrenean regions from 1st November to 31st March.In Italy, must be carried between 15th November and 15th April on signposted regional and mountain routes.In some eastern and Balkan regions – such as – vehicles over 3.5t must also carry a shovel and sand for traction and safety.Be sure to visit government websites for the latest rules and regulations.From 1 January 2025, new semi-trailers and heavy trailers require enhanced visibility. Semi-trailers that flashes in sync with the direction indicators to improve side visibility.Vehicles over 6 metres long must have side markers positioned at appropriate intervals, while those over 2.1 metres wide must use contour lighting – continuous white and red outline lights tracing the vehicle's shape at night to make its length and width clear to other road users.Mandatory lighting for HGVs includes:● Headlights (low and high beam)● Rear and brake lights on both sides● Rear fog lights● Reflectors and reversing lights● Daytime running lights have been on trucks since 2012. Usage rules vary by country.Before every journey, drivers must ensure all lights, reflectors and number plates are clean and snow-free; failure to do so can lead to fines or penalty points.Winter-specific speed limits vary across the EU but always err on the side of caution.● Austria vehicles to 80 km/h outside built-up areas and 100 km/h on motorways, and requires a . Studs are not permitted on vehicles over 3.5t.● In Germany, laws mean that even within posted limits, excessive speed on icy roads can constitute an offence under German Road Traffic Regulations.Weather-specific bans can also apply. In several Alpine and eastern regions, lorries may be turned back from mountain passes or exposed bridges when wind speeds exceed 100 km/h, or temporarily banned from routes affected by black ice or avalanche risk.Visibility isn't optional – it's a legal requirement. Drivers must clear all snow and ice from windscreens, mirrors, roofs and lights before setting off. Some countries fine operators when snow or ice slides from roofs into traffic – with penalties applying in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and other jurisdictions.To comply, fleets should:● Maintain operational wipers and demisters.● Use winter-grade washer fluid tested to -20°C.● Check heated mirrors daily.● Ensure snow-clearing tools (shovel, brush and grit) are kept in every cab.While UK law does not explicitly require winter tyres, operators are bound by a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations. The DVSA advises that tyres must maintain . Failure to ensure tyres are suitable for conditions can result in enforcement action for unsafe operation.For fleets entering the EU, obligations switch to local winter-readiness laws as soon as they cross the border. Non-compliance can lead to roadside immobilisation, fines, or insurance complications in the event of an accident.Fleet managers should use a winter-readiness checklist that goes beyond tyres:● Check the regulations for the countries drivers are travelling through● Install 3PMSF-rated tyres on steering and drive axles● Carry approved snow chains● Clean and check all lights, reflectors and washers● Stock winter emergency kits (first-aid, shovel, reflective jackets)● Revisit route planning for shorter daylight windows● Check batteries and air-brake moisture traps daily● Inspect door seals and wiper blades for wear● Schedule driver refreshers on cold-weather braking, speed management and chain-fitting.SNAP's provides access to bookable, well-lit and secure truck parking – critical for overnight safety during winter disruption. Drivers can locate facilities in advance, ensuring warm rest in line with driving-hour limits.Across the UK and EU, winter brings not only snow but a sharper focus on compliance. From 3PMSF tyres and snow-chain carriage to lighting, speed and visibility standards, fleets must stay alert to local variations that can shift within borders or mountain ranges.By adopting structured fleet checks, monitoring updates from the European Commission and DVSA, and equipping vehicles for every condition, operators can protect their drivers and deliveries through the worst of the season.SNAP works alongside fleets to make this easier – connecting drivers to reliable rest locations, secure parking and compliance tools that keep haulage moving safely right through the winter of 2025.

Fleet managers in the United Kingdom face financial challenges on many fronts. Escalating operational costs due to volatile fuel prices, intensifying sustainability transformation pressures, capital-intensive vehicle procurement, chronic talent shortage and unscheduled and extended downtime hurt the bottom line.If you have already invested in basic solutions to optimise routes, improve driver performance, minimise fuel consumption, monitor asset health and schedule preventive maintenance, but you haven’t seen significant gains, then consider adopting these six practical strategies to record positive net income consistently.Many fleet professionals view assets as unavoidable money pits and have come to terms with their tendency to drain resources. This notion normalises inefficient fuel consumption, unreasonably high maintenance costs and frequent downtime due to sudden breakdowns. Less-than-roadworthy vehicles endanger driver and cargo safety, resulting in higher future insurance rates and lasting reputation damage.Developing a structured fleet life-cycle and replacement strategy is essential to retiring specific vehicles before they hurt company coffers. It helps you manage your budget prudently, allowing you to make informed decisions based on long-term goals instead of immediate needs.Prioritise cost per mile, vehicle age and mileage. These vital metrics indicate when an asset becomes a good candidate for retirement instead of waiting for it to become inoperable. This proactive approach reduces your total cost of ownership, allowing you to resell declining assets while their value is relatively high. The proceeds from the sale can offset the price of procuring and integrating vehicles with partial automation capabilities into your fleet.The chronic labour shortage in the logistics industry drives up fleet management costs through rising wages, extended vehicle repair times and losses arising from delays and missed deadlines. This issue predated the pandemic, and Brexit only made it worse. In 2023, UK in a Changing Europe and Centre for European Reform estimated that the UK recorded a after the freedom of movement ended.The key is to raise awareness of logistics as an exciting career at the grassroots level. Fleet managers could do more to introduce the industry to primary and secondary students. Explaining what HGV drivers and mechanics do and their contributions to society can bring prestige to these occupations. Apprenticeship programmes can work wonders, as the 2022/2023 Logistics UK survey found that roles seek them.Poor workplace design is an underrated fleet management dilemma. Slowdowns to the order fulfilment process can trigger a domino effect that ultimately inflates operational costs. They can lead to increased idle time, talent underutilisation, unmet delivery schedules and customer dissatisfaction. Workflow inefficiencies may force you to reallocate resources, reshuffling drivers and vehicles and changing routes to compensate for delays.Facility-related disorganisation is outside the purview of fleet managers. Close collaboration with warehouse management matters to increase the logical flow and speed of movement of goods within the space. Simple improvements like hanging enough high bay LED lights and installing doors can reduce errors and boost productivity.Leverage technology to ensure clear communication. Adopting a software solution that merges or helps warehouse and fleet management systems interoperate gives all relevant stakeholders complete visibility into each department’s operations. Forming a cross-functional team cultivates a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility, holding everyone collectively accountable for mistakes and preventing finger-pointing.An innovative, pragmatic approach to vehicle upkeep is necessary to decrease unscheduled downtime. Proactive tuneups and automatic maintenance scheduling are , but digitising inspection and streamlining repairs are just as important to catch red flags early, restore asset roadworthiness quickly and help technicians work efficiently.Mobile pretrip inspections are instrumental in preventive asset maintenance and compliance. Apps capture real-time data, empower drivers to communicate issues to management and facilitate recordkeeping for review, analysis and reporting. Digital work orders help you monitor repairs across your fleet and ensure none will affect delivery schedules.Upgraded gear makes life easier for your technicians and complements initiatives to play to their strengths when assigning tasks. The latest diagnostic tools can be a significant expense but also a major time-saver. They pay for themselves by reducing premature component wear, preventing breakdowns and helping you negotiate for lower insurance rates. Every new technology has a learning curve, so value proper training to upskill your personnel accordingly.Well-maintained fleet vehicles could still break down midjourney due to road conditions in the UK. According to a January 2024 report featuring data gathered by 7,000 Stan the App users, on British carriageways. This figure only covered 13% of the country’s road network, suggesting that the actual number of defects might reach 11.5 million.Areas with colder, wetter weather are more likely to have depressions in road surfaces. Local governments fill millions of potholes yearly, so it can be challenging to plan routes ahead of time to avoid them. Integrating autonomous features into fleet vehicles — like deep learning-powered object detection and adaptive suspension — should help, but real-time pothole avoidance remains an ongoing challenge.Prudent fleet managers anticipate breakdowns regardless of how properly maintained their assets are and focus on readiness. They work with preapproved local mobile mechanics and independent auto repair shops to fix broken vehicles, minimise downtime and promote driver productivity and safety.Vet freelance automotive technicians by verifying their credentials, understanding their specialisation and checking their tools. Thirty-party mechanics should be the option of last resort, so train your drivers in basic troubleshooting and equip them with proper gear.Leaving last-mile delivery to self-driving systems can make this critical aspect of logistics more efficient and less costly. Big-name companies like Amazon, FedEx and UPS have used their deep pockets to pilot autonomous last-mile delivery, proving that driverless vans and drones could feasibly reduce the operational costs of urban logistics and increase customer satisfaction.Successful autonomous vehicle integration pilots should inspire organisations with smaller fleets to innovate. However, the perceived high up-front investment is only one of the obstacles many fleet managers face. Infrastructure, regulations and consumer acceptance are also significant considerations.Fortunately, the British Parliament has passed the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 to lay the regulatory foundation for autonomous last-mile operations. In June 2025, Member of Parliament Lilian Greenwood shared an update that the government , which indicated that the policymakers weren’t cutting corners to inspire stakeholders once the law is implemented.Overhauling your fleet operations is crucial for improving your bottom line, but any change comes with opportunities and risks. Managers can try various strategies, from detailed life-cycle plans to autonomous vehicle integration. With foresight, innovation, creativity, collaboration, pragmatism and resourcefulness, you can resolve pressing pain points and overcome new challenges to be in the black.

By the end of 2025, 149 Spanish cities – from Madrid and Barcelona to tourist hubs like Valencia, Alicante and Benidorm – will restrict access for high-emission vehicles. For fleet operators, that means new compliance risks, costly upgrades and tighter delivery schedules.Spain’s low-emission zones (Zonas de Bajas Emisiones, or ZBEs) are part of a wider European push to improve air quality and cut transport emissions. They already operate in major cities across the country and are enforced with fines of up to €200, with rules varying from city to city.In this guide, we explain how ZBEs work, what vehicle categories are affected and what operators need to do to keep their fleets on the road.ZBEs are being introduced under Spanish law in cities with more than (and those over 20,000 with particularly poor air quality), in order to improve urban air quality and support EU climate goals. Access to a ZBE is determined by a vehicle's environmental badge (distintivo ambiental), as issued by the Spanish Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT).The categories are:Full access● 100% electric vehicles (BEV)● Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEV)● Plug-in hybrids with at least 40km electric rangeGenerally unrestricted access● Standard hybrids (HEV)● Plug-in hybrids with less than 40km electric range● Gas-fuelled vehicles (CNG/LNG/LPG)Access with some time/area restrictions● Petrol vehicles: Euro 4/5/6 (typically 2006 onwards)● Diesel vehicles: Euro 6 (typically 2014 onwards)Increasingly restricted, often barred during peak hours● Petrol vehicles: Euro 3 (typically 2000-2005)● Diesel vehicles: Euro 4-5 (typically 2006-2013)Generally banned from all ZBEs● Petrol vehicles below Euro 3 standards● Diesel vehicles below Euro 4 standardsPetrol vehicles below Euro 3, and diesels below Euro 4 standards, are typically banned from ZBEs, although restrictions vary by city.It’s important to note that foreign vehicles must register with local city councils before entering a ZBE, even if they meet equivalent Euro standards. Without registration, compliant vehicles may face automatic fines, which has become a common issue for international hauliers operating in Spain.Madrid and Barcelona have had ZBEs in place for several years, with highly specific rules and large coverage areas. By the end of 2025, the system will expand to cover 149 cities, including smaller towns and tourist destinations such as Benidorm, Valencia, Seville and Alicante.Some cities are still implementing or gradually enforcing their zones, with transitional periods in place (e.g., warnings until late 2025 in Valencia and Benidorm). Others, such as , will start to fine non-compliant vehicles from December 2025.It should be noted that cities may have differing rules, with some allowing non-compliant vehicles for essential services, so it is important to be aware of a specific city’s rules before dispatching a vehicle. Spain is not alone: more than 320 cities across Europe now operate LEZs, with France’s Crit’Air system, Germany’s Umweltzonen and the UK’s ULEZ among the most established. For cross-border hauliers, this creates a patchwork of rules, stickers and penalties that raise compliance risks and costs.You must ensure that your vehicles display the appropriate DGT badge or register if foreign-plated. Fines for non-compliance are typically set at , although they can vary by municipality. Cities like Madrid and Barcelona have already begun issuing these penalties via automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems.Many logistics companies face hurdles because older diesel trucks are now banned or restricted from cities. In fact, . This means a significant number of vehicles are non-compliant and must be replaced if hauliers want to enter ZBEs.Vehicle prices are adding to the pressure: an , while are even pricier.CETM-Madrid, the Spanish Confederation of Freight Transport, estimates that cumulative outlays for Madrid-based road-freight and calls for deadline adjustments and more support.Data shows that the changes are having an impact on delivery schedules. A recent survey of businesses in pilot zones found that Congestion is also common during restricted delivery windows (8-10am), when many operators compete for access. Around also cited a lack of adequate loading/unloading areas as a major contributor to delays.This “time compression” effect – where deliveries are forced into fewer hours – creates bottlenecks at zone perimeters, raising the likelihood of late arrivals and disrupted supply chains.Schedule disruption extends beyond vehicle routing to workforce management. Barcelona's approach to ZBEs illustrates the challenge: the city offers (21:00-07:00) to reduce daytime congestion, but Spanish labour agreements state that night-work pay has premiums of approximately 25%.This creates a difficult choice for fleet operators: accept daytime congestion and delays, or absorb increases in labour costs for night operations.Despite the challenges, ZBEs deliver clear public health gains. Studies of the Madrid Central LEZ recorded (NO₂) within the zone. Broader European research shows soot emissions dropping by up to .These reductions translate directly into improved air quality, fewer respiratory illnesses and reduced hospital admissions. For urban residents – and drivers spending hours in congested traffic – the health benefits are tangible if inconvenient. “Low emission zones are here to stay,” comments Raqual Martinez, European Sales Manager at SNAP. “The challenge for our community is adapting without compromising efficiency or driver welfare. At SNAP, we’re committed to supporting fleets in Spain and across Europe, helping them turn regulatory change into operational advantage.”While we can’t change the LEZ rules, our intruck app makes life on the road simpler. Drivers can use it to find and book secure truck parking and washing, see what facilities are available at each stop, and plan rest breaks that fit tighter delivery windows – whether they’re running into Madrid, skirting Barcelona, or crossing borders on longer routes. Download the today for smoother operations across Spain's evolving transport landscape.