Photo: Irina Yankovaya, Pexels
Winter driving comes down to a few habits: slow down, keep a bigger gap, make every input gentle, never use cruise control on snow or ice, and carry a kit in case you get stranded. Below are the techniques and legal rules that Canadian handbooks teach new drivers, with each province’s rule named where it differs. For licensing basics, see learning to drive in Canada.
Key facts
- Quebec: winter tires are compulsory from 1 December to 15 March for vehicles registered in Quebec. The fine is $200 to $300.
- British Columbia: winter tires or chains are required on most designated routes from 1 October to 30 April. Some routes outside mountain passes and high-snowfall areas end on 31 March.
- Stopping on ice can take up to 10 times the normal distance (ICBC). Prince Edward Island’s handbook says 3 to 12 times.
- Ontario snow plows show flashing blue lights visible from 150 metres. Never pass between staggered plows.
- If you are stranded, every handbook says the same thing: stay with your vehicle.
Do you need winter tires in Canada?
| Jurisdiction | Rule |
|---|---|
| Quebec | Compulsory 1 December to 15 March for all motor vehicles registered in Quebec, rentals included. The tire must carry the winter pictogram or be studded. Studded tires are allowed 15 October to 1 May. Fine: $200 to $300. |
| British Columbia | Winter tires or chains are required on designated routes marked by signs, from 1 October to 30 April on most routes (31 March on some lower-risk routes). Drivers can be turned away and fined. The province’s route maps show which category each highway is in. |
| Prince Edward Island | No winter tire mandate in the handbook. Studded tires are allowed only from 1 October to 31 May. |
| Saskatchewan | The SGI handbook lists snow tires as recommended winter equipment, not a legal requirement. |
| Other provinces and territories | Check your provincial transportation ministry. |
Quebec-specific detail: Quebec winter tire law.
Before you set out
- Check road conditions. Saskatchewan’s handbook says to stay home if the Highway Hotline says travel is not recommended. ICBC: “Staying home may be the wisest choice.”
- Clear the whole vehicle. Brush snow off the car and scrape every window, the mirrors and all lights. Clear the heater intake in front of the windshield. Driving with windows blocked by snow, frost or ice is illegal (Northwest Territories manual).
- Keep the gas tank at least half full (SGI).
- Pre-winter check: battery, tires, exhaust system (leaks let carbon monoxide in), wipers, heater and defroster, and winter-grade fluids. Saskatchewan also recommends a block heater.
- Headlights on at all times. Swirling snow makes it hard to be seen even on clear days (SGI).
How to drive on snow and ice
- Slow down and lengthen your gap. SGI says to leave more than three seconds on slippery roads, and five seconds during the first snowfalls of the season.
- No cruise control on snow, ice or wet roads. Every handbook says this.
- Use gentle inputs only: gentle acceleration, gentle braking, small smooth steering movements.
- Brake before curves, not in them. Braking in a curve can start a skid (ICBC). Use a low gear to go down icy hills.
- Test your grip. At very low speed, when no traffic is near, try the brakes and steering to judge how slippery it is (ICBC, PEI).
- Avoid passing unless absolutely necessary. In multi-lane traffic, use the lane with the least snow or ice.
- If you get stuck, rock the vehicle: move forward gently, then reverse gently, and stop as soon as the wheels spin. Second gear helps you pull away on ice (SGI).
Where black ice forms
Black ice is a thin, clear layer of ice that is very hard to see. In winter the road normally looks grey-white, so if the asphalt looks shiny and black, treat it as ice. It forms first in these places:
- bridges and overpasses
- shaded areas, which stay icy after the sun has melted the rest of the road
- intersections, where exhaust, engine heat and wheel spin polish the surface
Ice near freezing is the most slippery. SGI’s handbook notes that roads look the same at -2 C and -22 C but are far more slippery at the warmer temperature.
Skids and braking
- With ABS: press the brake firmly and hold it. Do not pump. You can steer while braking.
- Without ABS: threshold brake. Press as hard as you can just short of locking the wheels. If a wheel locks, ease off slightly and reapply.
- If you skid: ease off the accelerator or brake, look and steer where you want to go, and avoid oversteering (Ontario handbook). On very slippery surfaces, shift to neutral if you can.
Whiteouts and blowing snow
A whiteout is when sky, horizon and ground blend into one, so you cannot tell where the road ends. If one is forecast, drive only if you must. In blowing snow:
- slow down and use low beams (high beams reflect off the snow)
- increase following distance and do not pass or change lanes
- never stop on the travelled part of the road. Pull well off into a safe area and turn on your hazard lights.
Sharing the road with snow plows
- Ontario: plows have flashing blue lights visible from 150 metres. Some have a wing that extends up to 3 metres to the right. On freeways, plows may run staggered across all lanes. Never try to pass between them.
- Saskatchewan: slow to 60 km/h when passing a plow or other highway equipment stopped with blue and amber lights flashing. You may pass a moving plow if it is safe. Most plow crashes are rear-end collisions.
- Northwest Territories: stay well back. Plows pull over regularly to let traffic by, and following closely risks rock damage from the sander.
More on this: slow down, move over rules in Canada.
Winter survival kit checklist
This combines the kit lists in the Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island and Northwest Territories handbooks:
- blanket or sleeping bag, extra warm clothes, mitts, hats and boots
- candle, matches and a deep can to hold the candle
- non-perishable food (nuts, raisins, candy)
- shovel, ice scraper and snow brush
- sand, salt or traction mats
- booster cables and a tow rope or chain
- flashlight with spare batteries
- first aid kit and warning devices
- gas-line antifreeze, inflated spare tire and jack, and tire chains
- phone and charger cable
What to do if you are stranded in snow
- Stay with the vehicle. SGI warns that many people die leaving their vehicle to walk for help in a blizzard. Rescuers are more likely to find you if you stay put.
- Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and ice.
- Run the engine sparingly. ICBC suggests about five minutes every hour, with a window slightly open, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. If you feel dizzy or drowsy, turn the engine off and get fresh air.
- Put on extra clothing before you get cold. Don’t overexert yourself shovelling or pushing.
- Keep one person awake at all times (ICBC). Use hazard lights to be seen.
Common questions
Are winter tires mandatory in Ontario?
Quebec has a province-wide mandate, and British Columbia requires winter tires or chains on designated routes. Check your own province’s winter tire rule in its handbook. Check your own province’s winter tire rule in its handbook.
When do I have to put winter tires on in Quebec?
By 1 December. They must stay on until 15 March. The SAAQ suggests installing them earlier, and removing them later, depending on your region.
Are all-season tires OK in BC?
On designated routes, BC accepts tires marked with the mountain/snowflake symbol or M+S (mud and snow), with at least 3.5 mm of tread. Check the current rules on the BC government’s winter tire page before you travel.
Should I pump the brakes on ice?
Not with ABS. Press firmly and hold. Without ABS, threshold brake rather than pumping.
Is it safe to drive in a whiteout?
Every handbook advises against it. If you are caught in one, slow down, use low beams and get well off the road to a safe place. Do not stop in a live lane.
Can I warm up my car with the engine running in the garage?
No. Never start your car in a closed garage. Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide (PEI handbook).
Sources
- Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Driving at night and in bad weather” (ontario.ca)
- ICBC, “Learn to Drive Smart, Chapter 2: You and your vehicle” and “Chapter 8: Emergency strategies” (icbc.com)
- SGI, “Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook”, section 6.8 Winter driving (sgi.sk.ca)
- Government of Quebec, “Requirements for winter tires” (quebec.ca)
- SAAQ, “Winter Preparation” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
- Government of British Columbia, “Designated Winter Tire and Chain Routes” (gov.bc.ca)
- Government of Prince Edward Island, “Prince Edward Island Driver’s Handbook”, Chapter 4 Winter Driving (princeedwardisland.ca)
- Government of the Northwest Territories, “NWT Driver’s Manual”, Chapter 6 (inf.gov.nt.ca)