Winter Driving and Car Ownership in BC

If you’re planning to drive in BC, winter brings a real legal requirement many newcomers aren’t aware of until they’re pulled over or stuck on a highway. Here’s what to know about winter driving and buying your first car in BC.

Winter tires are legally required on most BC highways

From October 1 to March 31 (extended to April 30 on some mountain and high-snowfall routes), winter tires or chains are mandatory on most BC highways, including:

• All highways in Northern BC and the Interior
• Parts of the South Coast, including the Sea-to-Sky Highway
• Parts of Vancouver Island, including the Malahat

The Lower Mainland and southeastern Vancouver Island are generally exempt due to milder winters — but if you’re driving toward the mountains, the Interior, or northern BC during winter, this rule applies to you.

What actually counts as a “winter tire”

• Look for the M+S (mud and snow) symbol, or the mountain/snowflake symbol (the snowflake symbol indicates better winter performance)
• Tires must have a minimum tread depth of 3.5 millimetres
• A regular all-season tire without either symbol does not meet the legal requirement, even if it seems fine to you

Non-compliance carries a fine of $121 for passenger vehicles.

Insurance: ICBC is the only option in BC

Unlike most provinces, BC has a single public auto insurer — ICBC — for basic coverage (you can still shop around for optional extra coverage through private brokers). Every vehicle in BC must be insured through ICBC at minimum, and your premium is affected by your driving record, where you live, and how you use the vehicle.

Buying a used car safely

• Get a CarProof or Carfax report to check for accident history and outstanding liens before buying
• Have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, if buying privately
• Confirm the seller’s name matches the vehicle registration, and complete the ownership transfer through an ICBC Autoplan broker

This guide is intended as general orientation information, not legal advice. Rules and fines can change — always confirm current details at drivebc.ca and icbc.com before winter driving season.