Winter tires aren't required all across all of B.C., but you do need them on many routes or you could face a hefty fine. Some areas even require you to have chains on your tires, so it's important to know when and where to have the proper tires on your car.
On the required routes winter tires need to be on starting October 1st, with some needed until March 31 and others until April 30.
If you live in B.C. here's what you need to know about winter tires for the chilly season.
Where are winter tires mandatory in B.C.?
BC has a pretty unique landscape, so winter tire requirements vary depending on where you're driving. That said, they are required in the majority of the province.
Winter tires are required on all highways in the North, the Interior, some highways on the South Coast (including the Sea to Sky Highway — a popular route for those heading to Whistler) and sections of some highways on Vancouver Island (including the Malahat and highways 4, 14 and 28).
If you’re sticking to the Lower Mainland southeastern Vancouver Island, you might not legally be required to swap out your tires. Thanks to a milder winter climate, areas like Vancouver don’t require winter tires for most of their roads. However, make sure to double-check if you're planning on heading to places with more snowfall. Even though you might not get fined, you're still responsible for equipping your vehicle appropriately for the road conditions.
"If you plan to travel outside the Lower Mainland and southeastern Vancouver Island, winter tires are required on most highways," the government website said.
You can take a look at the government's map of South Coast B.C. to see exactly which route requires winter tires.
What winter tires do I need in BC?
In BC, "winter tires" are clearly defined.
They need to have the M+S (mud and snow) symbol to meet the minimum legal requirement, or the mountain/snowflake symbol. Additionally, they must be in good condition, with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 millimetres. It's not enough to just have these tires — if they're too worn down, you could still be fined.
"We recommend drivers install 3-peaked mountain/snowflake tires for cold weather driving and, for extreme conditions, carry chains," the government website says.
Although chains are not required for drivers on the Lower Mainland and much of Vancouver Island, they are required in some areas of the province. Those roads are specified on the government's website.
What happens if you don't have winter tires in B.C.?
The basic fine for not having the required tires in good condition is $121.
When do you need to put on winter tires in B.C.?
The winter tire season in B.C. kicks off on October 1 and lasts until March 31.
However, in high-snowfall areas, like mountain passes and rural highways, the season extends until April 30. If you're planning to drive these routes during the late winter or early spring, make sure your vehicle is properly equipped. Look out for road signs that indicate when and where winter tires or chained tires are mandatory.
These signs are common on B.C. highways, and they serve as a good reminder of the rules.
AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of Narcity's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.
Here's where and when you need to have winter tires on in BC to avoid a fine
Source: News Article Viral
0 Comments