Winter driving in B.C.: do you need winter tires? Which routes, which dates, which tires qualify, and what the fines are

1. The short answer: if you live in Victoria, do you need winter tires?

The provincial rules only cover sections with signs. The B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit says that every route where winter tires are required is marked with regulatory signs by the road. Once you drive past one of these signs, your vehicle must meet the requirement on it.

Most roads in Greater Victoria do not require them. The ministry says the Lower Mainland (the Greater Vancouver area) and the southeast coast of Vancouver Island have milder winters, and many coastal areas do not require winter tires, but the Malahat does. A West Shore RCMP notice from October 2025 (the West Shore RCMP polices Langford, Colwood and nearby areas) puts it more plainly: in the West Shore area, the Malahat (a section of Highway 1) is the only provincial highway with this requirement; some local areas, such as around Bear Mountain in Langford, also have a requirement of this kind.

According to the ministry's South Coast route map, these common routes are not winter tire routes:

• Highway 17 (Pat Bay Highway), the road to the Victoria airport and the Swartz Bay ferry terminal;
• Highway 1 from the city to Langford (south of West Shore Parkway);
• Highway 14 from Langford to Sooke (east of Sooke);
• Highway 1 after the Malahat, towards Duncan and Nanaimo (north of Frayne Road).

Once you leave town, it is different. Heading north over the Malahat to Duncan or Nanaimo, west past Sooke to Port Renfrew, or north to Tofino and Ucluelet, you will pass through winter tire routes. See the tables in section 2.

Not required does not mean you can ignore it. The ministry says drivers are responsible for equipping their vehicles for the conditions, and many people simply use M+S tires all year (section 4 explains what M+S is). Cities, towns and private roads (such as ski hill roads) can also have their own rules that differ from the province's.

2. Which routes require winter tires, and until what date

The start date is always October 1, and there are two end dates. In the ministry's words: most routes in B.C. require winter tires from October 1 to April 30; some highways that do not go through mountain passes and are not in high snowfall areas only require them until March 31.

These two sentences are easy to misread, so here is another way to put it: the split depends on whether the road crosses a high mountain pass and whether it gets a lot of snow, not on the region.

• Highways that cross high mountain passes and get a lot of snow: until April 30, for example Highway 5 (the Coquihalla), Highway 97C from Merritt to Kelowna, and Highway 3 east of Hope;
• Sections that do not cross high passes and do not get much snow: until March 31. Vancouver Island and the Sea-to-Sky Highway are this type, and so are many routes in interior valleys, for example Highway 97 around Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton, and Highway 1 west of Kamloops.

The date that applies is the one on the sign you pass. Starting from the same place, different directions can have different dates: for example, from Hope, Highway 1 heading north is a March 31 route, while Highway 5, the Coquihalla, to Merritt is an April 30 route. On a long trip, you may pass both kinds of signs.

Winter tire routes on Vancouver Island (October 1 to March 31):

The table below is based on the ministry's South Coast route map. The names of where each section starts and ends come from section 7.1635 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations (that section is about commercial vehicles carrying chains, and the Vancouver Island sections it lists match the route map).

Some common trips, as examples:

For the Sea-to-Sky Highway, the Squamish RCMP also issued a notice in October 2025: the winter tire section of the Sea-to-Sky Highway starts just north of Horseshoe Bay, and the requirement runs from October 1 to March 31.

Outside the Lower Mainland and southeastern Vancouver Island, most highways require winter tires. The ministry makes a point of saying this. If you are going to the Interior (for example Kelowna or Kamloops) or the North, look at the route map for that region before you leave: the ministry's winter tire routes page has four maps, for the South Coast, Northern B.C., the Southern Interior and the Southern Interior border area.

How to check your own route:

1. Open the ministry's winter tire routes page (link at the end of this section), scroll down to the maps such as "South Coast B.C." and "Northern B.C.", and open the region you are going to;
2. On the map, solid orange lines are October 1 to March 31 routes, and dotted blue lines are October 1 to April 30 routes;
3. Follow the highway numbers and check both the way there and the way back;
4. On the road, the signs govern. The South Coast map file was made in 2021, and the ministry was still using it when it updated the page on November 24, 2025; if the map and a sign ever differ, follow the sign.

A small tip: The ministry notes on the route map that it generally does not post winter tire signs on provincial highways within cities and towns, unless the local government asks for them. So not seeing a sign in town does not mean there are none outside town.

3. Reading the signs

The sign for cars. It has black lettering on a white background, with a yellow band at the top showing the dates, for example "Oct 1 - Apr 30". In the middle is a picture of a car and an RV; below that it says "MUST USE WINTER TIRES", and at the bottom is the symbol of three mountain peaks with a snowflake, with "M+S" next to it. It means that during the dates on the sign, cars, light trucks and RVs that drive past it must have legal winter tires. On some routes the date line says April 30 and on others it says March 31; follow the one you see.

The sign for commercial vehicles. Next to it there is often a sign for trucks and buses. The left side says "UNDER 11,794 kg LICENSED GVW / WINTER TIRES OR CARRY CHAINS", meaning commercial vehicles with a licensed gross vehicle weight under 11,794 kg must either have winter tires or carry chains. The right side says "OVER 11,794 kg / MUST CARRY TIRE CHAINS", meaning vehicles over that weight must carry chains. If you drive a private car, follow the sign with the car on it, and do not take "carrying chains is also fine" as something meant for cars.

What the government's "winter tires or chains" means. Provincial web pages often say "Winter tires or chains are required." That is a general statement for all vehicles. The sign for cars says winter tires are a must, and the ministry also says that putting chains on summer tires does not replace legal winter tires.

Motorcycles do not need winter tires. The ministry says motorcycles are exempt from the winter tire and chain rules. But it also says motorcycles should not be on the road when the weather is bad, when a change in the weather is forecast, when the temperature is near zero or colder, or when there is snow or ice on the road; when conditions are dangerous, police can turn all vehicles back, motorcycles included.

RVs. The ministry says RVs need M+S tires at a minimum, and recommends also carrying chains or other traction devices. For a towed RV, the primary drive axle of the vehicle towing it must have M+S or mountain snowflake tires, and it is also recommended to carry chains for the RV's wheels.

4. Which tires count as legal winter tires

In B.C., a legal winter tire must meet two conditions at the same time: the required symbol on the side of the tire, and at least 3.5 mm of tread. This is set out in section 7.162 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, and the ministry's and ICBC's pages say the same.

First, look for the symbol on the side of the tire. Walk up to the car, crouch down and look at the side of each tire (the sidewall), and look for one of these two symbols:

Some tires have both symbols; those are fine too.

Why the province and ICBC both recommend mountain snowflake tires. ICBC says mountain snowflake tires are certified against a tested performance standard, grip better in severe winter conditions, and are the best winter tires you can buy. Transport Canada adds that below 7°C, the rubber in all-season and summer tires starts to harden and grip less, while winter tires stay soft and keep their grip at much lower temperatures.

Are M+S tires enough? ICBC says that if you only occasionally drive in winter conditions, and take extra care and slow down when you do, a good M+S all-season tire is a safe choice. If you live where it often snows or freezes, or you often go skiing or do other winter sports, you should have four mountain snowflake winter tires.

Do not go by the invoice alone. An invoice that says "all-season", or a tire that looks new, does not tell you whether it can be used on winter tire routes. Always check the symbol on the sidewall, then measure the tread.

At a tire shop, you can ask:

"Do these tires have the M+S or the mountain snowflake symbol? How many millimetres of tread are left?"

If you want new tires, you can say: "I drive over the Malahat sometimes in winter. Could you show me tires with the mountain snowflake symbol?" ICBC also suggests telling the tire shop what roads and weather you usually drive in, so they can help you choose the right tires.

5. How to measure tread depth, and how many millimetres is enough

Three numbers to remember:

A little more on the 1.5 mm rule: the regulations say a tire must not be used if the tread is less than 1.5 mm at two places on the tire that are 38 cm or more apart, or if the tread wear indicators (small raised bars of rubber at the bottom of the grooves) in two adjacent grooves are touching the road. ICBC also says that at this point, the tire should be replaced.

How to measure.

• The easiest way: ask a tire shop to measure it, and then ask, "Is it at least 3.5 mm?"
• Measuring it yourself: use a tread depth gauge, sold at auto parts stores. Put the gauge into a main groove of the tread, not on the raised wear indicator at the bottom of the groove.
• Measure several places on each tire: the inner edge, the middle and the outer edge, then turn the wheel and measure at a few more positions.

Which reading counts. The regulations only say winter tires need "at least 3.5 mm"; they do not say where to measure. Our suggestion: go by the shallowest reading. If the shallowest spot is under 3.5 mm, do not count on the tire passing on winter tire routes, and replace it soon.

The ministry has how-to videos. The winter tire requirements page has two short videos, "How to Identify a Winter Tire" and "Measuring Tire Tread Depth". They are in English, but you can follow them from the pictures.

6. Two tires or four?

The legal minimum: at least two matching winter tires on the primary drive axle. The ministry says you must have at least two matching winter tires on the primary drive axle, and this applies to four-wheel-drive vehicles too.

Which axle is the primary drive axle? It is the pair of wheels that gets most of the engine's power. For a front-wheel-drive car (many family sedans), look at the front wheels; for a rear-wheel-drive car, the rear wheels; all-wheel-drive (AWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles must also follow this rule. If you are not sure which kind of car you have, check the owner's manual or ask a repair shop: "Is my car front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive?"

The province, ICBC and Transport Canada all recommend fitting all four.

• The ministry recommends that all four winter tires have the same tread pattern and similar tread depth. Mixing tires with different tread patterns, internal construction or sizes can make the vehicle unstable and should be avoided.
• ICBC says that in every season, all four wheels should have the same type of tire (all summer, all winter or all all-season), and this matters especially for all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles and SUVs.
• Transport Canada recommends fitting winter tires as a set of four; if the four have different tread depths, put the ones with the deepest tread on the rear to help the vehicle keep its direction.

An example: You drive a front-wheel-drive sedan. The two front tires are new mountain snowflake tires, and the two rear tires are older regular all-season tires without the M+S mark. Under the minimum rule, the car passes because the two tires on the front axle qualify (the rear tires still must not have less than 1.5 mm of tread; see section 5). But the grip at the front and rear is very different, so the back of the car can easily slide out when you brake going downhill or turn. That is why all the official sources urge you to replace all four together.

7. Studded tires and tire chains

Studded tires have a season. Studded tires are winter tires with small metal studs set into the tread. Under section 19.03 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, studded tires may only be used between October 1 and April 30 of the following year; the ministry says that using them outside this period may get you a fine.

Studded tires have a few more rules (Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, section 7.164):

• The studs must not stick out more than 2.0 mm from the tread, must not be hollow, and must be firmly installed by the manufacturer or the tire seller;
• If the front wheels have studded tires, the rear wheels must have studded tires too; the ministry recommends studs on all four wheels so the grip is even;
• Older studded tires made before August 31, 2016 may have studs that stick out a little more, but there is a limit on the total number of studs. If you have old studded tires at home, ask a tire shop to check whether they can still be used.

Winter tires without studs have no such season. The regulations only set the October 1 to April 30 period for studded tires. For regular winter tires and M+S all-season tires, the law does not say when they must come off.

Tire chains. The ministry says that cars can add tire chains or other traction devices on top of winter tires, but should only use products that have been tested for winter performance:

• Steel link chains, fitted on the primary drive axle, give the best grip on snow and ice and are less likely to slide sideways on curves;
• Cable chains also give enough grip, but may slide sideways on banked curves;
• Textile tire covers (also called snow socks) add grip like chains and work best on snow and ice, but wear out quickly once you drive on asphalt.

The ministry recommends mountain snowflake tires for cold weather, and carrying chains as well for extreme conditions. To say it again: summer tires with chains do not replace legal winter tires.

Commercial vehicles have their own rules (in brief). If you drive a truck or bus, the main points from the ministry and the regulations are:

• Commercial trucks with a licensed gross vehicle weight of 5,000 to 11,794 kg must carry chains or approved traction devices; those with M+S or mountain snowflake tires do not have to;
• Those over 11,794 kg (for example, tractor-trailers) must carry steel chains on most major highways;
• Commercial vehicles generally must carry chains from October 1 to April 30 of the following year; on Vancouver Island, the Malahat section, Highway 14 west of Sooke, Highway 18, Highway 4, Highway 19 north of Campbell River, Highway 28 and Pacific Marine Road do not require them from April 1 to April 30;
• On some routes, commercial vehicles never have to carry chains: in the Victoria area, Highway 17, Highway 1 south of West Shore Parkway and north of Frayne Road, and Highway 14 east of Sooke; and in the Lower Mainland, highways south of Horseshoe Bay and west of Hope. Off the island, many other routes (for example the Sea-to-Sky Highway) also do not require chains in April. In every case, the text of section 7.1635 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations governs;
• How to fit chains, how many to fit and on which wheels depends on the vehicle type and weight; see the ministry's commercial vehicle page and chain-up diagrams. For fines, see section 8.

8. What happens if you do not have winter tires: turned back, fines, penalty points and fault in a crash

Who checks. The RCMP, Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE, the provincial officers who check trucks on highways and at weigh scales) and other police can all check. CVSE mainly checks commercial vehicles, but it can also ticket private cars, pickups and motorcycles.

What happens if you are stopped. The ministry says that drivers whose vehicles are not properly equipped may be stopped and turned back, and may also be fined. The West Shore RCMP adds that, if needed, the vehicle can be towed, and the owner pays for the tow.

How much the fine is. The amounts below are the ones listed on the ministry's enforcement page, checked against the Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation. Paying early can save you $25, but only if you meet all four conditions listed on the provincial government's ticket payment page: you pay within 30 days from the date the ticket was issued; the ticket amount is more than $58; you pay the full amount at once (paying only part does not count); and you have not disputed it.

These amounts already include the victim surcharge levy that is collected with the fine.

Paying means you accept the ticket. The provincial ticket payment page says that paying a ticket, even only part of it, counts as admitting the offence. If you think the ticket is wrong and want to dispute it, do not pay yet; there is a deadline for disputing, and guide No. 19, on traffic tickets, explains how to dispute.

You also get penalty points. Under the penalty point schedule in the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, ICBC records 2 points on your driving record for breaking section 125. For what penalty points lead to and what to do if you want to dispute a ticket, see the traffic tickets guide.

Even legal tires may not get you through. If the RCMP considers the road unsafe, it can turn all vehicles back, whatever tires you have.

Does it affect fault in a crash? ICBC says that not having winter tires does not automatically make you at fault in a crash; but if winter tires could have helped you avoid the crash, not having them may affect whether you are responsible, and how much.

City and private roads are separate. The ministry reminds drivers that cities, towns and private roads (such as ski hill roads) can have their own winter tire and chain rules that differ from those on provincial highways. Before you go to a ski hill, check the road information on the ski hill's website.

Related: What to do after you get a traffic ticket in B.C.

After a crash: how ICBC assesses responsibility. The claims representative will ask what happened and, if needed, get statements from the other driver, passengers and witnesses; they may also look at the police report, consult the estimator and apply the rules of the road in the Motor Vehicle Act to decide your share of responsibility. If you are more than 25% responsible, your premium will generally go up at your next renewal. If you are injured, you can get benefits from ICBC, such as treatment costs and money for lost income, no matter who was at fault. See section 9 of Guide No. 38.

→ No. 38 · ICBC no-fault crash claims

9. Rental cars, out-of-province vehicles and car share

Vehicles from other provinces must follow B.C.'s rules too. The ministry says that cars and commercial vehicles coming from other provinces must follow B.C.'s winter tire and chain rules on B.C. highways. Tires sold anywhere in North America use the same M+S and mountain snowflake markings, and B.C. recognizes them.

Rental cars. The ministry says most rental cars have M+S tires, which meet the legal minimum. If you are going to drive outside Greater Vancouver or Greater Victoria, it is best to confirm that the rental car has winter tires; M+S tires are legal, but mountain snowflake tires grip best in winter. Talk it over with the rental company when you choose.

When you book, you can say: "I'm driving to Tofino next week. Can you make sure the car has tires with the mountain snowflake symbol?" When you pick up the car, crouch down and look at the symbol on the sidewalls yourself, measure the tread if you have a gauge, and then set off.

Car share. Evo says all its cars have M+S tires, which meet B.C.'s minimum winter tire requirement. If you are going over the Malahat or into the mountains, check road conditions before you leave. For details, see the Evo guide.

Related: Using Evo car share in B.C.

10. How to check today's road conditions before you leave

DriveBC (B.C.'s highway conditions website). The address is drivebc.ca, and it is run by the provincial government. The ministry says it is a good place to check highway conditions and weather forecasts; ICBC also tells drivers to check conditions on major routes here and to look at the highway cameras along the way, which cover major highways, bridges, tunnels and border crossings. Before you leave, check three things:

1. Whether the road you are taking has any closures or delays;
2. The camera pictures along the way, to see whether the road is wet, snowy or icy;
3. The weather on mountain passes. It may be sunny where you start and snowing on the pass.

If going online is not convenient, call. The highway conditions phone line on the provincial government's winter driving page is 1-800-550-4997, toll-free.

Weather warnings. Environment and Climate Change Canada's weather website, weather.gc.ca, shows weather warnings for every part of B.C.

Some winter driving tips from the provincial government:

• When conditions are very bad, the safest choice is to wait for better weather before you drive;
• If you must drive, prepare your vehicle first, keep an emergency kit in the car and bring suitable clothing;
• In winter, turn your headlights fully on even in the daytime. Daytime running lights are dimmer than headlights, and with only the daytime running lights on, your tail lights do not come on; a lit dashboard does not mean your headlights and tail lights are on.

How to report a problem on the road. DriveBC has an online page for reporting highway problems (Report a Highway Problem). To report a claim to ICBC after a crash, use the numbers on the provincial government page: 604-520-8222 in the Lower Mainland and 1-800-910-4222 toll-free in North America; you can also report it online on the ICBC website.

Related: Staying safe and getting help (what to do first after a crash); Family emergency preparedness (what to put in an emergency kit; you can also keep a small extra bag in the car)

Related: whether you can use your phone for navigation or road conditions while driving, see Phones and driving in B.C.

11. Looking after your tires, and storing the ones you take off

Tire pressure. ICBC says keeping the right tire pressure is the most important thing you can do to look after your tires:

• Check tire pressure when the tires are "cold", that is, when the car has been parked for a while and has not been driven yet, or only for a short distance;
• Tire pressure drops in cold weather; the ministry recommends checking it at least once a month;
• For how much air to put in, follow the vehicle maker's recommendation, usually found in the owner's manual, on the label by the driver's door, or on the inside of the glove box door. The number printed on the tire's sidewall is the maximum pressure, not the pressure to use;
• Transport Canada reminds you to check the spare tire's pressure regularly too.

How to store the tires you take off. ICBC's suggestions:

• Keep them indoors in a cool, dark, dry place;
• Keep them away from electric motors (the ozone that electric motors produce damages rubber);
• If you store them on their rims, lower the pressure to 15 psi, and pump them back up when you put them on the car again.

Tires age. The West Shore RCMP reminds drivers that tires age when they are kept for a long time and do not perform as well; tread depth is not the only thing to look at.

12. Finding a tire shop and a technician

For new tires or a tread check, people usually go to a tire shop or repair shop. We did not find an official B.C. government list of licensed tire shops that you can search by shop name.

To confirm that a mechanic is a certified technician. In B.C., the certificate for auto mechanics is called Automotive Service Technician, and it is issued by SkilledTradesBC. Its website has a "Verify a Tradesperson's Certification" page:

1. Enter the person's first name, last name and certificate number (leave out any dashes in the number);
2. Choose the trade from the list; the trade name is printed on the certificate;
3. The result shows whether the person was certified in B.C., in which trade, and whether they hold a B.C. Certificate of Qualification or a Red Seal.

This page cannot look up certificates from other provinces, and it does not show where the person works. So first ask the mechanic for their certificate number: "Could I have your certificate number? I'd like to check it on the SkilledTradesBC website."

What to say at the shop:

• "Can you check if my tires meet B.C. winter tire rules? M+S or mountain snowflake, and at least 3.5 mm tread."
• "I mostly drive in Victoria, but I go up the Malahat a few times in winter. What do you recommend?"

13. Checklist before you leave

• Check which winter tire routes you will pass on the way there and back, and whether the signs say March 31 or April 30;
• The two tires on the primary drive axle (ideally all four) have M+S or the mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall;
• Measure the tread at several places on each tire; even the shallowest spot has 3.5 mm;
• At least the two winter tires on the primary drive axle match, and ideally all four do;
• If you use studded tires, use them only between October 1 and April 30, and if the front wheels have studs, the rear wheels must too;
• When the tires are cold, inflate them to the number on the label by the driver's door;
• Before you leave, check DriveBC for closures and the cameras along the way, or call 1-800-550-4997;
• Keep an emergency kit and warm clothes in the car, and turn on both your headlights and tail lights;
• If conditions are too bad, go another day.

Related guides

• → No. 19 · Traffic tickets, disputes and penalty points
  Got a winter tire ticket and want to dispute it, or want to know what penalty points can lead to? Read this guide.
• → No. 27 · Evo car share and BCAA membership
  Evo says all its cars have M+S tires. If you want to use car share to leave town, this guide covers who can sign up, what it costs and where to end a trip.
• → No. 33 · Phones and driving in B.C.
  How to use your phone while driving without breaking the rules.
• → No. 6 · Driver licensing
  Switching to a B.C. licence when you move here, getting a licence from scratch, and looking after your driving record afterwards.
• → No. 21 · Family emergency preparedness
  What to put in an emergency kit; you can also keep a small extra bag in the car.
• → No. 20 · Staying safe and getting help
  What to do first after a crash, and which help numbers to call.
• → No. 38 · ICBC no-fault crash claims
  After a crash: how ICBC assesses responsibility, who pays for repairs, whether your premium will go up, and injury benefits you can get no matter who was at fault.
• → No. 56 · Buying, financing, leasing or renting a car
  What to ask before renting a car in Victoria: in winter, if you will drive over the Malahat or into the mountains, what tires the car has; age, deposit, kilometres and whether you can take ferries; taking photos and video at pickup and return; and ICBC insurance for leased and rented cars.

Main official links in this guide

These are the official pages used most in this guide. The ministry's winter driving pages, the Motor Vehicle Act, the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations and the Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation on BC Laws, the provincial ticket payment page, ICBC, Transport Canada, the two RCMP notices and the SkilledTradesBC page were all opened and read in the original on November 3, 2026. The two route maps are image-only PDFs, so we read them by enlarging the images; the South Coast map is a 2021 file. The DriveBC website is displayed by scripts and we could not read its text, so this guide only describes the features that the provincial government and ICBC pages mention. Other links are at the end of each section.