“Spikes” sign: print, dimensions according to GOST 2021, template

Is the Thorns sign required for 2021?

Yes, required. At the same time, the obligation to glue it is directly prescribed by the traffic rules, which we must know. To be more precise, the appendix to this regulatory act called “Basic provisions for vehicle approval,” paragraph 8 of which instructs you and me to do the following:

8. Vehicles must be equipped with identification marks: …. “Spikes” - in the form of an equilateral triangle of white color with the top up with a red border, into which the letter “Ш” is inscribed in black (the side of the triangle is at least 200 mm, the width of the border is 1/10 of the side) - on the back of motor vehicles with studded tires tires;

We are required to install winter tires in the winter months: December, January and February (regions have the right to change the obligatory period). This is already bequeathed to us by the Technical Regulations. There is also a fine for not having winter tires. Accordingly, if we install studded tires during these months, we are required to stick on the “Spikes” sign.

Is a sign required if Velcro is installed?

As can be seen from the quote above, the obligation to stick a sign is provided only for owners of studded tires. If you install Velcro for the winter, then you have no responsibility for the “Spikes” sticker.

The “L” sign or similar, which would oblige the owners of the Velcro to put up the corresponding sign, has also not yet been invented.

Is the "Sh" sign necessary if the spikes have come out?

It’s a strange situation, but it’s impossible to formally issue a fine if the tires were essentially studded at one point, but the studs have all fallen off, because in this case the car is not classified as “having studded tires.” There is also no separate marking for studded tires, so the driver is not actually required to affix the “Spikes” sign.

Is the "Spikes" sign mandatory or not in 2021?

Why do you need a spike sign on your car? With the onset of the autumn-winter period, when the temperature outside drops, car owners change their wheels to studded ones. This is done to ensure safe movement in unfavorable climatic conditions.

A car equipped with studded tires is more stable on the road in icy conditions or when snow crust appears, due to better grip of the tires on the road.

Therefore, the main purpose of the “Ш” sign is to inform drivers that the car’s braking distance is shorter under the specified conditions.

Drivers driving behind need to keep a sufficient distance so as not to provoke an accident when the car driving in front of them suddenly brakes.

The place where the “Spikes” sign should be located is selected in the rear of the car . This is usually the top or bottom corner of the rear window.

If a sign interferes with visibility, it can be placed on the bumper or trunk of a car.

The main requirement is the visibility of the sign so that the driver is not stopped again by traffic police officers.

This installation of the “Spikes” sign according to the traffic rules is the most optimal.

It would seem that everyone who took their license and read the traffic rules should probably know about such a sign as “Spikes”. But as practice shows, few are familiar with this, and the meaning of this sign remains a mystery to most.

This sign looks like this: a triangle with a red border, inside of which there is the letter “Ш”, depicted in black.
The significance of this sign is completely ignored for unknown reasons, but at the same time it carries the most important information for all drivers.
The identification mark does not just “say” that you are the owner of tires with studs, it informs you about the possible danger associated with this fact.

This sign must be attached exclusively in accordance with established norms and rules. Since establishing it otherwise will not give the desired result, simply put, the sign will not be able to fulfill its function - to inform about the danger in connection with studded tires.

To begin with, it must be said that this sign can be bought in a specialized store, however, sometimes, no matter how strange it may sound, these signs are not available. The thing is that due to the huge excitement, drivers of studded tires began to buy up the sign en masse so as not to violate traffic rules.
In this case, you can make a sign yourself, but it will have to fully comply with traffic rules and GOST. We'll talk about this in more detail a little later.
And now a few words about the correct installation of the “Spikes” sign. There is no single correct place to install this sign. But it is quite logical that it is installed not for oneself, but for other drivers, in particular for those who are driving a car with studded tires.

What is the fine for the "Spikes" sign?

But a duty does not always mean a sanction for violating this duty. So, there is a violation for exceeding the speed by 5 km/h, for example, but there is no punishment. This was the case with the “Spikes” sticker until recently. The fact is that Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which provided for penalties for violations of appendices to traffic rules, referred only to the conditions prohibiting the operation of vehicles (Appendix No. 2). And the obligation to put up the “Spikes” sign is provided for in Appendix No. 1 (Basic provisions for vehicle approval).

Can they issue a requirement or cancel the registration for the “Spikes” sign?

This is not practiced, unlike regulations for tinting, for example. As for the theory, a written demand to stop the offense is, in principle, illegal, we discussed this in the corresponding article.

As for the cancellation (termination) of the registration of a car with the traffic police for the absence of a sign, it is also illegal, since registration is canceled for making changes to the design of the car that affect road safety. In our case, no changes were made.

“Spikes” sign template for printing and a little about its placement (updated 11/29/2018)

With the onset of the autumn-winter period, motorists are forced to change the tires on their iron horses, from summer to winter. Those who change their shoes to so-called Velcro simply continue to drive, however, those car owners who have studded tires, from April 4, 2021, are required to post a “studs” sign. Moreover, this is now included in the list of faults for which the operation of vehicles is prohibited

As of November 29, 2021, the Thorns sign has been canceled!

Links to download templates (with and without borders) are located below.

7.15. There are no identification marks that must be installed in accordance with paragraph 8 of the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, approved by Resolution of the Council of Ministers - Government of the Russian Federation of October 23, 1993 N 1090 “On the Rules traffic."

The traffic rules state:

2.3. The driver of the vehicle is obliged to:
2.3.1. Before leaving, check and ensure that the vehicle is in good technical condition on the way in accordance with the Basic Regulations for the admission of vehicles to operation and the responsibilities of officials to ensure road safety.

Clause 8 of the main provisions for the approval of vehicles for operation:

8. Vehicle identification marks must be installed: ... “Spikes” - in the form of an equilateral triangle of white color with the apex up with a red border, in which the letter “Ш” is inscribed in black (the side of the triangle is at least 200 mm, the width of the border is 1 /10 sides) - behind motor vehicles with studded tires;

Starting from April 4, 2021, traffic police officers may impose a fine for the absence of the “Spikes” sign under Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code:

1. Driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which, in accordance with the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, operation of the vehicle is prohibited, with the exception of malfunctions and conditions specified in parts 2 - 7 of this article - entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of five hundred rubles.

Where can I put the “Spikes” sign?

There is no information on this issue in the regulatory documents. The only requirement for installing the “Spikes” sign that exists is given in paragraph 8 of the Basic Provisions. It states that the sign must be installed at the rear of motor vehicles.

Thus, the “Ш” sign can be installed anywhere: on the door or trunk lid, on the bumper, on the rear lid of the body, on the awning or on the rear window (inside or outside). The main requirement is compliance with the dimensions. However, despite the fact that many portals mention sight distance, there is no direct text anywhere regarding sight distance! The requirement for visibility from 20 meters (as well as the angles at which it must be visible) applies only to state registration plates , i.e. car numbers.

As for the punishment for installing the “Spikes” sign, when the tires themselves are not studded, there is no such punishment. Which means you can drive with this sign in the summer.

Dimensions according to GOST:

The length of the side of the triangle (we remind you that this is an equilateral triangle) is at least 20 cm. The width of the red border is 1/10 of the length of the side of the triangle.

For those who do not want to hang a sticker that spoils the appearance of the car and blocks the view and is also far from small in size, as well as for those who did not have time to buy, we have prepared a printable version. Simply download the template and print it.

Download link* template with white border in *.PDF A4 300 DPI

Download link* of the template without white border in *.PDF A4 300 DPI

— The minimum length of a triangle side is 200 mm. Larger sizes are allowed, smaller sizes are not allowed. — Mandatory placement of the sign on the rear of the vehicle if it has studded tires. — From April 4, 2021, a fine of 500 rubles or a warning will be imposed for the absence of a sign (Article 12.15.1 of the Administrative Code)

* The link will open in a new window using a link shortening service.

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Update from 10/17/18

From the first of June this year, changes to paragraph No. 8 of the “Basic Provisions for the Admission of Vehicles” were preparing to come into force. Thanks to these changes, the driver could get rid of the obligation to attach a special sign to his car if it has winter tires with studs. But the document was never accepted! The fine still exists, and hanging a triangle with “W” in the winter of 2021 is still necessary. The amendments to abolish the need to hang up the “Spikes” sign, alas, never came into force, although this should have happened on July 1.

Update from 11/29/18

Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree on changes to traffic rules, which, in particular, cancel the obligation of drivers to install the “Spikes” sign on cars due to the loss of its relevance. The document was published on Thursday on the government website.

The driver’s obligation to install the “Spikes” identification sign on motor vehicles with studded tires is excluded.
Tags: traffic signwinterspikestemplatecarrubbertiresfine

Is it possible to be guilty of an accident if there is no “Spikes” sign?

What happens if you don’t have a “Spikes” sticker, provided you have studded tires, and another car drives into you from behind? Can he refer to your guilt (at least partial) since the sign was missing?

Hardly ever. But mutual guilt cannot be ruled out. In general, there will be no last one with a 99.9% probability. The reason here is simple, although there are violations of both participants in the accident. When identifying the culprit, the person examining the case (an official - a traffic police officer or a judge) determines the cause-and-effect relationship between the violations and the accident.

Obviously, it was the failure of the person driving behind to maintain the required distance that led to the accident, and not the lack of a “Spikes” sign for the person in front. This is obvious for two reasons:

be that as it may, the distance according to traffic rules is a precedent concept, which means that until an accident occurs, it is safe; and if an accident occurred, then the distance was unsafe;
and most importantly, nothing would have changed if the driver had a “Spikes” sign in front.

However, if the potential culprit nevertheless proves during an appeal that he would have kept a greater distance if the driver in front had the appropriate identification mark, then mutual guilt is not logically excluded. However, this has not yet happened in judicial practice until 2021 and is unlikely to happen in the future.

To glue or not the “Spikes” sign in 2021: the traffic police explained everything

Just a year ago, these signs were in stacks in spare parts stores and were not in particular demand among customers. However, as soon as amendments were made to the legislation providing for a fine for its absence, and traffic police inspectors began issuing orders, the stickers instantly disappeared. In some regions of the Russian Federation, a kind of “deficit” even arose. Considering the rush demand for the “Spikes” sign, many sellers have raised prices from 15 to 150 rubles, and some up to 500 rubles for one sticker!

But the whole secret is that you can make the “Spikes” sign yourself without spending a penny. For this we need an A4 sheet, scissors, adhesive tape and a color printer. If the printer is black and white, then you will additionally need a red marker or felt-tip pen.

Is the thorn sign needed in 2021? — 05/02/2020
Is the thorn sign needed in 2021? — 09/30/2019
Is there a penalty for the Spikes sign in 2021? — 09/03/2019
The law on - 08/12/2018 came into force
The "Spikes" sign has been canceled from December 8, 2021 - 11/30/2018

Fines for free travel on toll roads were approved in the first reading - 10/23/2020
Many drivers will be able to avoid trial for fines - 10/22/2020
How to transfer diagnostic card data to the insurance company? — 22/10/2020
Taxi Law 2021: Latest News [10/22/2020] - 10/22/2020
Import of right-hand drive cars without ERA-GLONASS may be extended again - 10/21/2020

Traffic rules changes from 2021 - 12/27/2018
License exam 2021: 14 important changes - 12/25/2019
Traffic police fines from January 1, 2021 - 11/16/2020
Will it be possible to get a license from 16 or 17 years old in 2021? — 01/05/2021
Amendments to the traffic police exam have been postponed from October 1, 2021 - 05/23/2020

What size should a sign be according to GOST? What if it's huge?

As can be seen from the very wording of the traffic rules (GOST in this case does not regulate the size of the plate on the car), the sign must be triangular in shape, with all 3 sides of the same length. It should be white, the edging should be red, and the letter “W” itself should be black. You only need to glue it with the top up and only at the back of the car.

The requirements for its dimensions are specified only for the general size of the sign - each side must be at least 20 cm wide, and the width of the border must be 0.1 of the length of the side. At the same time, the letter “Ш” itself may be very small. However, this is unlikely to have any practical significance.

As for the maximum sizes, the sticker can be for the entire car. The main thing is that this is not accompanied by other violations:

the "Spikes" sign did not cover the license plate,
If equipped, the rear windshield wiper worked correctly.

What if you put a sign behind tinted glass?

Formally, and this is not prohibited. Literally, traffic rules require sticking a “Spikes” sign on the glass at the back of the car. But nowhere is it indicated that it should be glued only from the outside (moreover, stickers are sold, the adhesive side of which is intended for gluing from the inside), that it should be visible at all.

But such a loophole as hiding the “Spikes” sign from the traffic police and other road users will suit you if you really want problems with the former, since in fact, the only purpose of the “Sh” sign is to ensure road safety by warning other participants that you have studded tires (you can debate for a long time why you should warn them, but alas, this is an obligation).

Something else useful for you:

Traffic regulations about passing a stationary car on a continuous road: what is the fine and is it possible to cross?
Is the fine for a smaller “Ш” sign legal or not?
Communication with the traffic police: what to read to improve legal literacy?

By law, you can stick a sign on the bumper, on mudguards... even on the exhaust pipe - the main thing is that it is located at the back.