Winter tyres - where to get them in Düsseldorf

This is our first winter in NRW, and I have heard that snow tires are required by law now, or else fines may result. (Our situation is a bit complex as we are borrowing a car from Belgium part of the time, and snow tires are not required there.)

Is this really required of all cars? Can anyone recommend a good place to get tires and get them installed in or around Duesseldorf, NRW? Thanks!

(Sorry for all of the alternative spellings, I just discovered the UK spells them with a "y"!)

They are not required by law. You are, however expected that your car is configured in a suitable manner for the prevailing driving conditions. That means if you go out driving in snow, then you need snow tyres. If fitting them is inconvenient then simply don't drive when there is snow on the roads. I can't see prevailing winter conditions in Düsseldorf being such that this would be much of an inconvenience.

yeah, in the 3 years i lived across the river from Düs it only snowed a couple of times and i think only once did the snow remain on the ground past about 11am before melting away.

I understood that they are required in certain states - like Bavaria. If you don't have them have them in Bayern and are involved in an accident, you are in big trouble!

nope. the law is as YL6 states. Doesn't matter where you are in the country, if you drive in weather conditions that require winter tyres and you don't have them fitted you are breaking the law.

Thanks for the responses. To be on the safe side, does anyone actually know where you can get winter tires in Duesseldorf?

i really wouldn't bother in Düs. None of the locals do unless they plan to go skiing or to the Eiffel or something.

I don't have a car, but would have thought that somewhere like PitStop would be best. I think they are on Südring & Münsterstrasse.