Winter Tire Laws in Canada and the US: Quebec, BC, Ontario and State Rules

Winter tire rules are set by provinces, states and sometimes individual roads, and they change. This guide only states what the official pages we read say. It is not legal advice.

We read these pages in October 2026. Each section names its source, and the sources list at the bottom links to all of them. Before you travel, check the page for the place you are driving, plus live road information from the province or state. We cover Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario and four US states. Other provinces and states have their own rules that we have not covered.

Quebec

The SAAQ says winter tires are mandatory "from December 1 to March 15 inclusive."

Who it covers

According to the SAAQ, the rule covers all motorized road vehicles registered in Quebec, except heavy vehicles, tool vehicles and farm machinery. The SAAQ also lists rental passenger vehicles in Quebec, mopeds, motorized scooters and motorcycles.

The Quebec government's requirements page says the rule does not apply to trailers or to vehicles registered outside Quebec. It also lists motor homes and spare tires among the exemptions.

Which tires count

The SAAQ says only tires bearing the winter pictogram, a mountain with a snowflake, and studded tires are considered winter tires under the Highway Safety Code. That is the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. A tire with only M+S does not count. Our guide to all-season, all-weather and winter tires explains the difference.

Fines, exemptions and studs

• The SAAQ says the fine varies from $200 to $300, plus costs.
• The SAAQ lists exemptions including the first 7 days after buying a vehicle from a dealer, and vehicles holding a winter tire exemption certificate, which you request through SAAQclic or at a service outlet.
• Studded tires are permitted from October 15 to May 1 on passenger vehicles, taxis and commercial vehicles up to 3,000 kg, according to the SAAQ.

Tread and timing

The SAAQ says the tread depth of your tires should be at least 4.8 mm (6/32 inch) across the entire width. The Quebec government page says the grooves should not be less than 1.6 mm deep, and recommends 4.8 mm for winter.

The SAAQ says it is highly recommended to fit winter tires before December 1, because temperatures often fall below 7°C earlier. The Quebec government recommends waiting a few weeks after March 15 before putting all-season or summer tires back on. See when to put on winter tires.

British Columbia

The BC government's page on designated routes says winter tires or chains are required on most routes in the province from October 1 to April 30. For some highways that are not through mountain passes or high-snowfall areas, the requirement ends March 31.

Where it applies

Designated routes are marked with regulatory signs. The page links regional maps for the South Coast, Northern and Southern Interior. It says many coastal areas in the Lower Mainland and southeastern Vancouver Island do not require winter tires, and the South Coast map shows exceptions such as the Malahat. Cities, municipalities and private roads such as ski hills may have their own rules. The province can also restrict travel at any time of year depending on road conditions.

Police, the ministry and other officials enforce the signs, and the page says motorists who are not compliant may be turned away and fined. It does not give a fine amount.

Which tires count

The BC government's passenger vehicle page says winter tires must carry the letters M and S (the minimum legal requirement) or the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, and must have at least 3.5 mm of tread. It recommends the mountain snowflake symbol for cold-weather driving.

The same page recommends four matched winter tires and requires at least two matching winter tires on the primary drive axle, even on a four-wheel-drive vehicle. It says chains on summer tires are not an acceptable substitute for legal winter tires on signed B.C. highways. It says studded tires may be used on BC highways from October 1 to April 30, with studs protruding no more than 2 mm.

That page says it was last updated November 12, 2021, so confirm the details for your vehicle on DriveBC or with the ministry.

Ontario

Ontario's winter driving page recommends installing four winter tires and not mixing tire types. It says you could also get a discount on your auto insurance and suggests asking your insurer. It does not describe a legal requirement to fit winter tires.

The discount comes from Regulation 664 of the Insurance Act (Automobile Insurance). Section 14.1 says insurers "shall use" a discount in the rate of insurance for a private passenger automobile equipped with winter tires, as an element of their risk classification, for contracts issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2016.

We checked that wording against the current text on the Ontario e-Laws site (e-Laws currency date October 12, 2026). The regulation does not set a discount amount or say which tires qualify. Ask your insurer what it requires for the discount, including tire type, installation dates and proof.

US states

There is no single US winter tire law in the sources we read. State transportation departments set rules for particular roads, usually triggered by conditions.

Colorado

CDOT's Passenger Vehicle Traction Law applies from September 1 through May 31 on the I-70 Mountain Corridor between Dotsero and Morrison, according to a CDOT news release dated November 20, 2025. CDOT may also activate it on other state highways when weather or road conditions require.

When it is active, a vehicle meets the law with tires that have at least 3/16 inch of tread and are winter tires (marked with the mountain snowflake icon), all-weather rated, or mud and snow (M+S) tires. The CDOT page states these tire standards for four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles. Otherwise the vehicle needs chains or an approved alternative traction device on two or more drive tires. The release says the law applies to all motorists not operating a commercial motor vehicle.

The Chain Law is the final step before a highway closes. CDOT says every vehicle must then have chains or an approved alternative traction device. CDOT lists fines for non-compliance, and the amounts differ between its pages, so check the current figures with CDOT.

California

Caltrans describes three chain control levels. In R-1, chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight that have snow tires on at least two drive wheels. In R-2, chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four-wheel or all-wheel-drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels, which must still carry traction devices. In R-3, chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.

Caltrans says snow-tread tires carry MS, M/S, M+S or MUD AND SNOW on the sidewall. It says drivers who do not stop and install chains when required can be cited by the California Highway Patrol and fined. It also notes a speed limit of 25 or 30 miles per hour when chains are required.

Oregon

ODOT says signs along the road set the chain requirements. For vehicles of 10,000 pounds gross weight or less, traction tires may be used in place of chains when the vehicle is not towing. ODOT defines traction tires as studded tires, retractable studded tires or other tires the tire industry rates as suitable for severe snow, which carry the mountain and snowflake emblem. In very bad conditions all vehicles may be required to use chains regardless of tire type. ODOT says studded tires are legal only from November 1 through March 31, and disobeying chain or traction tire signs is a class C traffic infraction.

Washington

WSDOT says studded tires are legal from November 1 to March 31, with no individual exceptions, and drivers must remove them by the end of the day on March 31. It lists a fine of $137 for keeping them on after the deadline. For mountain pass travel, WSDOT recommends approved traction tires and carrying chains in case conditions change. We did not confirm WSDOT's current traction tire and chain requirements from a live page, so check wsdot.wa.gov/winter before you cross a pass.

If you drive across a border

Quebec's requirement is tied to where the vehicle is registered. The BC, Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington rules apply to specific roads. A road trip can cross several rule sets. Check each one before you go.

If chains might be required where you are going, learn to fit them before you need them. Our winter car kit guide covers matching chains to your tire size and clearance.

Where to look

These links go to Amazon search results, not to a particular product. You choose what to open and compare:

• Tire chains (Amazon search, opens in a new tab) (filter by your tire size and check your owner's manual for clearance first)
• Tire snow socks (Amazon search, opens in a new tab) (check your state's rules, as some areas accept only chains)
• Winter tire search (Amazon search, opens in a new tab)