Winter tire rules return to Malahat and other Vancouver Island highways this week

As October arrives, so do British Columbia’s winter tire regulations.

As of Thursday, October 1st, winter tires will be required on all Vancouver Island highways.

The regulations run from October 1st to April 30th for most routes in British Columbia. The regulations are in effect from October 1st to March 31st on select highways not located through mountain passes and/or high snowfall areas.

Signs are posted on highways throughout the province, with the Province reserving the right to restrict travel at any time of year depending on road conditions.

What qualifies as a winter tire in BC

In BC, winter tires are defined as those labelled with either the Mountain Snowflake symbol or the Mud and Snow (M+S) symbol:

• Mountain Snowflake Tires: Identified by a mountain/snowflake symbol on the sidewall, these tires provide the best traction in snow, ice, and cold weather.
• M+S (Mud and Snow) Tires: These tires offer better traction than summer tires but are less effective than mountain/snowflake tires in severe winter conditions.

All winter tires must be in good condition with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 mm. Drivers will also see signs indicating highways where winter tires are required for lighter vehicles and where chains are mandatory for heavy commercial trucks.

For Vancouver Island drivers, the routes requiring winter tires generally include high mountain passes and highways that often experience severe winter conditions. On these routes, such as the Malahat, the weather can shift rapidly from rain to snow, making the appropriate tires essential for safety.

“Both M+S and three-peaked mountain and snowflake tires comply with the law, but they don’t provide the same level of cold weather performance,” said Trace Acres, Program Director for Road Safety at Work.

“Winter tires aren’t just for snow,” he says. “They give you more grip and control when temperatures drop below 7C, which can happen long before the first snowfall.”

Meeting the legal requirements is only a starting point for safety, Acres says.

“Drivers also need to think about where they travel, the temperatures they will encounter, and the kind of winter conditions they’re likely to face. Choose tires for those conditions, not simply to meet the minimum requirement.”

Motorists planning to travel on designated routes are encouraged to check DriveBC.ca for the latest highway conditions, traffic cams, route forecasts and any potential delays.

Fines for non-compliance

Drivers who fail to comply with winter tire requirements on designated routes may face fines:

• $121 for not having the proper winter tires
• Commercial vehicles not carrying chains may face a fine of $196, while those bypassing an active chain-up area could be fined $598

While many highways in the Lower Mainland and southern Vancouver Island are exempt from winter tire requirements due to the milder South Coast climate, certain routes still mandate winter tires.

There highways include:

• The Malahat section of Highway 1
• All highways in northern BC
• All highways in the Interior
• Sections of some highways on the South Coast, such as the Sea to Sky Highway
• Sections of some highways on Vancouver Island

Drivers heading over the Malahat or travelling elsewhere on Vancouver Island this fall and winter should check whether their route requires winter tires before leaving.

British Columbians know how quickly things can change on highways. Be safe and prepare accordingly this winter!