Tyre Laws in Mongolia — Regulations & Requirements

Mongolia requires winter tyres by law during specific calendar dates. Studded tyres are permitted, giving drivers an additional option for icy conditions.

For drivers visiting Mongolia or locals maintaining their vehicles, these rules are cheap to follow and expensive to ignore.

Tyre Law Summary for Mongolia

Winter Tyre Requirements in Mongolia

Mongolia has a mandatory winter tyre requirement covering the period October - April.

During this period, all passenger vehicles on Mongolia’s roads must have tyres that meet the winter standard. Driving without them risks fines and insurance complications in an accident.

Practical advice for Mongolia:

• Fit winter tyres before the mandate starts — garages in Mongolia get fully booked in the final weeks
• Minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm applies, but 3.0 mm is the practical minimum for winter grip
• Snow chains may be required on specific mountain routes regardless of tyre type

Minimum Tread Depth in Mongolia

Mongolia sets the legal tread depth minimum at 1.6 mm. Inspectors measure across the central three-quarters of the tread surface.

Safety organisations recommend that drivers in Mongolia replace tyres at 3.0 mm rather than running them down to the legal limit. The difference in wet braking at 80 km/h:

How to check in Mongolia: use a tread depth gauge from any automotive shop, or look for the built-in tread wear indicators (TWI) — small raised bars in the grooves that become flush with the surface at 1.6 mm.

Studded Tyres in Mongolia

Studded tyres are allowed in Mongolia. If you drive in areas of Mongolia where ice is common, studded tyres offer the best traction available. On dry roads, however, they increase braking distance and wear faster. Many drivers in Mongolia use friction winter tyres as a compromise.

All-Season Tyres in Mongolia

Mongolia does not accept all-season tyres during the winter tyre period. Dedicated winter tyres meeting the required marking standard are mandatory. All-season tyres may be used outside the regulated period.

Penalties for Tyre Violations in Mongolia

Driving with illegal tyres in Mongolia risks fines and, more critically, insurance problems. If you have an accident and your tyres do not meet the legal standard, your insurer may reduce or refuse your claim entirely.

Tyre Choice for Mongolia’s Climate

Mongolia has seasonal climate with monsoons. This means tyres face both warm-weather wear and occasional cold-weather challenges:

• Summer: high temperatures increase tyre pressure and accelerate wear. Check pressure monthly and inspect for cracking or bulges
• Autumn/winter: wet roads and occasional frost mean tread depth matters more than in summer. If your area sees regular frost, consider winter or all-season tyres
• Year-round: all-season tyres are a practical choice if your winters are mild and you prefer not to swap tyres twice a year

Road Conditions and Tyre Wear in Mongolia

Road surfaces in Mongolia are generally good quality, with well-surfaced motorways and maintained secondary roads. Urban stop-and-go traffic causes shoulder wear, while longer highway stretches wear the centre. Regular rotation (every 8,000–10,000 km) keeps wear even.

How Mongolia’s Tyre Laws Compare to Neighbours

Planning a cross-border trip from Mongolia? Here is how neighbouring countries differ:

• North Korea: Winter tyres not required. Tread: 1.6 mm. Studded: restricted.
• Taiwan: Winter tyres not required. Tread: 1.6 mm. Studded: restricted.
• South Korea: Winter tyres not required. Tread: 1.6 mm. Studded: restricted.
• China: Winter tyres not required. Tread: 1.6 mm. Studded: restricted.

North Korea and Taiwan do not require winter tyres, so if you are leaving Mongolia you may be carrying winter tyres unnecessarily — but they still improve safety in cold weather.

Need the full picture? Our Driving in Mongolia page covers speed limits, fines, equipment rules, and more.