Image: Bigtunaonline / Dreamstime / B.C.'s annual winter tire and chain rules kick in Oct. 1 for some highways across the province.

By Don Mitchell

Winter driving

Winter tire rules on many B.C. highways start Oct. 1

Sep 30, 2024 | 9:15 AM

VICTORIA – British Columbia’s regulations requiring winter tires or chains on select roadways across the province start Tuesday and drivers could be fined if caught without them.

As of Oct. 1, RCMP and other policing agencies can prevent drivers from travelling and issue fines for non-compliance on some thoroughfares requiring winter tires, chains, or both.

Regions affected by the rules are mainly in the north, including most Interior roads, with some sections of the South Coast, such as the Sea to Sky Highway past Horseshoe Bay.

Most highways in the Lower Mainland and southeastern Vancouver Island are exempt.

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Roadways between Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, including Highway 1, don’t require winter tires.

However, roadways past Laidlaw, just west of Hope, do.

Image: Province of B.C.

The rules are in place every year starting on Oct. 1, and, depending on the location, last until either March 31 or April 30.

Trucks and heavy vehicles weighing more than 11.78 tonnes must carry chains on most routes.

Under the Motor Vehicle Act, passenger vehicles not equipped with winter tires, where required, can face a fine of $121.

Maps of the highways requiring winter tires beginning Oct. 1 can be found on the Transportation Ministry’s website.