Shift into Winter: The Inside Scoop on Winter Tires and Chains

When are winter tires or chains right for you? Good question – glad you asked.

With tire/chain requirements on most BC highways during the chillier months, we want to clear up any confusion so you can get your mind back on the road this winter. Drivers must obey winter tire and chain signs throughout the province from Oct. 1 to April 30. (For select highways NOT located through mountain passes and/or high snowfall areas, tire and chain requirements end March 31.)

To help you — and by “you,” we mean passenger vehicle drivers and commercial truck drivers — navigate your winter tread and chain needs, we recently updated our Winter Tires and Chains website, which guides you through depending on the vehicle you drive and where you drive it.

So, what is a winter tire?

Is it one with a three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol? How about M+S (mud and snow) tires?

We assessed the existing definition of “winter tires and chains” as part of the 2014 highway speed and safety review.

There are six things you need to know now.

1. What’s Recommended?
   The RCMP and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure agree that for winter driving conditions, a tire with a 3-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol is the best choice. We encourage passenger vehicle drivers to choose the best tires possible, and to ensure the tires are in good condition, with good treads, and by that we mean tires having a minimum tread depth of 3.5 mm (greater tread depth is recommended).
2. What’s Legal?
   The legislation as written accommodates M+S tires. Provincial RCMP will continue with past practice of allowing either tires with a mountain/snowflake symbol or a mud and snow designation on highways where winter tires are required, as long as they are in good condition, with good treads (worth repeating)*. Meanwhile, commercial vehicles greater than 11,794 GVW must carry chains along these routes, however trucks between 5,500 kg and 11,794 kg GVW may use M+S or mountain/snowflake tires, or chains.  If you’re a commercial driver, see our detailed chain up information for your work vehicle.
3. Where Must I Have Winter Tires?
   We are only talking about the highways where the signage is – on the mountain passes in BC and in areas prone to snow and ice type of winter conditions, including the interior and north. We are not talking about drivers within cities, municipalities and private roads (such as ski hills) which may have their own bylaws or rules for winter tires, chains or traction devices. Maps of the designated highways where motorists must have winter tires or chains are available for the Northern, South Coast, Southern Interior and Southern Interior by US border regions.
4. What if the Weather is Really Bad?
   In severe winter weather, police officers may turn vehicles around, regardless of the type of winter tire they are using, if they feel the tires are unsafe for the conditions and may be putting the driver at risk.
5. Where Do I Get More Information About Winter Tires?
   Contact your tire manufacturer or local tire shop to discuss your tire needs and the best choice for safe winter driving.
6. Does this Affect Everyone?
   Since more than 60 per cent of all BC drivers travel the province in places where snow rarely falls, the ministry does not require all drivers to equip their vehicles with winter tires. The new Winter Tires and Chains website will help you determine your specific needs based on what and where you drive.

Remember: If you plan to travel outside the Lower Mainland and southeastern Vancouver Island, winter tires are required on most highways.

In a nutshell: Between Oct. 1 and April 30, passenger vehicles are legally required to have M+S or mountain/snowflake tires*, and commercial vehicles must carry suitable chains while travelling on highways designated with winter travel signs.

And remember, DriveBC and our webcams are great ways to be informed about the weather and road conditions for your route. Winter weather is inevitable… Are you prepared?

[Please note: this blog post was originally published in 2013, and revised in 2021 to reflect the latest winter tire and chain regulations]

*The law applies to tires on the main drive axle. However, it is recommended drivers use four matching winter tires.

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