In Latvia, 31% of drivers move to winter tyres in October, SIA Miltton Latvia told LETA, citing the Carlsberg 0.0 Responsible Driving Index survey carried out in September.
Another 44% change tyres at the start of November, and 16% do so shortly before 1 December, the date from which winter tyres are compulsory. Eight percent do not change tyres and drive all year on all-season rubber. Cabinet rules allow all-season tyres year-round only if, in winter, they meet winter-tyre requirements, including the mountain-and-snowflake mark.
The share who switch in October is slightly higher than a year earlier: 31% this year, compared with 29% last year. Fewer drivers now leave the change until early November, 44% against 49% the previous year. Those who usually change at the end of November rose from 13% to 16%.
Women tend to change earlier. In October, 36% of women drivers and 27% of men move to winter tyres. Men more often wait until the end of November: 18% of men and 14% of women gave that answer. October changes were most common among drivers aged 40 to 49 and 50 to 59, with 36% in each group.
The index is a study linked to the non-alcoholic beer Carlsberg 0.0, produced with DBS and the research centre Norstat. The September 2026 survey covered 1,000 residents of Latvia aged 18 to 74.
Road traffic rules require that from 1 December to 1 March every car and bus with a maximum mass of up to 3.5 tonnes must be fitted with winter tyres. In that period the minimum tread depth is four millimetres. The tyres must be intended for snow and ice and marked with the mountain and snowflake symbol. Studded tyres may be used from 1 October to 1 May.