Tis the season ……
Winter Tire Season Begins October 1 in BC
Winter tire season is almost here. Starting October 1, 2026, winter tires—or chains for commercial vehicles—become mandatory on most designated BC highways. Depending on the route, the requirement remains in effect until either March 31 or April 30, 2027.
If you plan to travel outside the Lower Mainland or southeastern Vancouver Island this winter, check your route before you leave. Roadside signs mark the beginning and end of designated winter tire and chain-up routes, and the requirements are not the same on every highway.
What qualifies as a winter tire?
Under BC law, a winter tire must have either the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol or the letters M+S on the sidewall. All-weather tires can qualify if they carry one of these markings and meet the minimum tread-depth requirement.
There is an important difference, however. The mountain and snowflake symbol identifies a tire that has been tested to a specific severe-snow standard. M+S tires meet BC’s legal definition but generally provide less traction in severe winter conditions.
Four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive do not exempt a vehicle from the requirement. If a designated route requires winter tires, the vehicle must comply regardless of its drivetrain.
Check the tread depth
Winter tires are legally worn out when their tread is less than 3.5 mm. That is considerably deeper than the 1.6 mm wear-bar level commonly associated with summer tires.
A tread-depth gauge is inexpensive and much more reliable than trying to judge tire wear by eye.
What happens if you don’t comply?
The fine for driving without proper winter tires on a designated route is $121 and two penalty points. Driving with tread below the legal minimum can result in a $109 fine.
Police can also turn a driver around at a checkpoint until the vehicle complies. Depending on where you are travelling, that could mean losing considerable time or even cancelling the trip.
Winter tires should be installed as a set
If you are buying winter tires, fit a complete set of four. Modern braking, traction-control and stability-control systems are designed around having similar grip at all four wheels. Mismatched tires can upset that balance.
If you can afford only two new tires, putting them on the rear axle improves vehicle stability under braking, including on front-wheel-drive vehicles.
Studded tires
Studded winter tires are legal on BC highways from October 1 through April 30. There are limits on the number of studs allowed per tire, and the regulations require studded tires on the rear wheels before they can be used on the front wheels.
Know your route
Most designated highways have a March 31 end date, but routes through high mountain passes and areas with heavy snowfall can remain subject to the requirement until April 30. The Province publishes regional maps showing which highways require winter tires or chains and the dates that apply.
Commercial vehicle operators generally must carry chains or another approved traction device from October 1 through April 30, subject to specific exceptions for some routes and dates.
Before a winter trip, check the requirements for the entire route rather than assuming that the rules are the same everywhere. If you are renting a vehicle, confirm what tires are installed rather than assuming that it comes equipped for winter travel.
BC’s winter tire requirement is a legal minimum, not a guarantee that a vehicle is suitable for the conditions it encounters. Choosing tires appropriate for where and when you drive—and keeping them in good condition—is an important part of preparing for winter.Canonical URL:https://www.drivesmartbc.ca/equipment/winter-tires
