BC's winter tire rules come into effect this week

Although we are barely into fall, BC’s winter tire regulations come into effect this week.

As of Tuesday, Oct. 1, winter tires will be required if you plan on travelling most of BC’s highways, with a few exceptions in the Lower Mainland and southern part of Vancouver Island.

Those regulations will be in place for most highways until April 30.

However, for a few select highways not located through mountain passes and/or high snowfall areas, tire and chain requirements may end by Mar. 31.

Those routes are marked with the appropriate signage throughout the province.

Winter tire regulations are in place until the end of March for the Sea to Sky Highway (Hwy 99), sections of the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) and several highways throughout the southern Interior including Hwy 97 and Hwy 33.

Highway 5 (Coquihalla and Yellowhead) and Hwy 3 require snow tires until the end of April.

Legal winter tires must have at least 3.5 millimetres of tread depth and must be labelled with the letters either M+S or have the mountain/snowflake symbol.

Failure to ensure you have appropriate winter tires may result in a fine of more than $120.

To learn more about how long highways in your area require snow tires, visit the province’s website.