What does the red symbol on the tyre indicate?

You answered correctly. The symbol shown is the Alpine or “Three Peak Mountain Snowflake” symbol. This marking means the tyre is officially tested and approved for wintry weather, such as snow and ice. Tyres with this symbol provide improved performance in snowy conditions compared to regular tyres. There is no requirement to use these tyres only with snow chains, so only the first and second answers are correct. Recognizing this symbol helps ensure your tyres are legally compliant and safe for winter driving in Germany.