Winter tires now mandatory on many B.C. highways

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Heads up out-of-town travellers: B.C.’s winter tire and chain requirements kick back in on Thursday.

As of Oct. 1, you’ll be required to have winter tires with either the “M” and “S” labelling or the three-peaked mountain-snowflake symbol on them when travelling outside of the Lower Mainland. That basically means if you’re headed to the Interior or up to Whistler, you’ll need to be prepared.

The “legal winter tires” need to be on at least the primary drive axle of your vehicle, however, the province recommends driving with four tires with evenly matched tread type and depth.

“Summer tires are not permitted for driving during designated winter months,” the province’s website reads. “Chains on summer tires are not an acceptable substitute for legal winter tires on signed B.C. highways.”

Studded tires are also an option for the winter months.

Anyone caught driving the out-of-town highways with all-season or summer tires could be slapped with a $121 fine. The penalty goes up to $196 for commercial vehicles not carrying chains when and where they are required.

“Drivers must obey winter tire and chain signs throughout the province from October 1 to April 30,” the province says. “For select highways not located through mountain passes and/or high snowfall areas, tire and chain requirements end March 31.”

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