Quick answer
In BC, winter tires are required only on highways marked with winter tire signs, from October 1 to April 30 on most designated routes (March 31 on some routes outside mountain passes and high snowfall areas). Around Surrey, Highway 1 through the Lower Mainland and Highway 99 south of Vancouver are not designated. Highway 99 north of Horseshoe Bay (Sea-to-Sky), Highway 1 from Laidlaw (just west of Hope) to Hope and beyond, the Coquihalla (Highway 5) and Highway 3 east of Hope are designated. A legal winter tire needs at least 3.5 mm of tread and either the M+S mark or the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol. The ticket for driving a passenger vehicle past a sign without winter tires is $121.
Written for Surrey and Lower Mainland drivers. We checked every date, route, tread depth and fine on gov.bc.ca, bclaws.gov.bc.ca, icbc.com, tranbc.ca and drivebc.ca on September 25, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
When are winter tires required in BC?
The Province says drivers must obey winter tire and chain signs throughout BC from October 1 to April 30. For some highways that don't go through mountain passes or high snowfall areas, the requirement ends March 31.
The rule comes from section 208 of the Motor Vehicle Act, which lets the Minister of Transportation use signs to ban vehicles from a highway unless they have chains, winter tires or traction devices. The Province also says it can restrict travel at any time of year, depending on road conditions.
Which highways near Surrey need winter tires?
Here is what the Ministry of Transportation's South Coast and Southern Interior route maps show for highways Surrey drivers use most:
| Route | Winter tires required? | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 1 through Surrey and the Lower Mainland (Horseshoe Bay to Laidlaw) | No, not a designated route | Not applicable |
| Highway 99 from Vancouver south to the border | No, not a designated route | Not applicable |
| Highways 1A, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15 and 17 in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley | No, not designated routes | Not applicable |
| Highway 99, Sea-to-Sky (Horseshoe Bay to Whistler and Pemberton) | Yes | October 1 to March 31 |
| Highway 1 from Laidlaw to Hope, and north through the Fraser Canyon | Yes | October 1 to March 31 |
| Highway 5, Coquihalla (Hope to Merritt and Kamloops) | Yes | October 1 to April 30 |
| Highway 3 east of Hope (Hope to Princeton) | Yes | October 1 to April 30 |
| Highway 97C, Okanagan Connector (Merritt toward Kelowna) | Yes | October 1 to April 30 |
The Province says that because of the Lower Mainland's milder winter climate, winter tires are not required in many coastal areas, but if you travel outside the Lower Mainland and southeastern Vancouver Island, they are required on most highways.
Tip: The signs on the road are what count. If you pass a winter tire sign, follow it. The full regional maps are linked in the sources below.
Are winter tires mandatory on Surrey city streets?
We found no official source that requires winter tires on Surrey city streets. The South Coast map notes that the Ministry does not install winter tire or chain route signs on provincial highways inside municipal boundaries unless the municipality asks. The Province also says cities, municipalities and private roads (such as ski hills) may have their own bylaws or rules on winter tires, chains or traction devices that differ from highway rules.
Even so, the Province says you are responsible for equipping your vehicle for the conditions you drive in.
How the winter tire signs work
Designated routes are marked with regulatory signs, enforced by police, the ministry or other officials. The passenger vehicle sign shows the dates, "Must use winter tires", and both the mountain snowflake symbol and "M+S". A second sign says commercial vehicles under 11,794 kg licensed GVW need winter tires or must carry chains, and those over 11,794 kg must carry tire chains.
If you go past the signs without the proper equipment, the Province says you may be turned around by the RCMP, Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) or other police, and fined.
What counts as a winter tire in BC?
Under section 7.162 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, a winter tire must:
- Have at least 3.5 mm of tread depth.
- Be labelled on the sidewall by the manufacturer with either the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol or the letters "M" and "S".
The Province calls M+S (mud and snow, found on many all-season tires) the minimum legal requirement. It also says:
- Matching tires: you must have at least two matching winter tires on the primary drive axle, even on a 4x4. The Province recommends four winter tires evenly matched in tread type and depth.
- Summer tires are not permitted during the designated winter months. Putting chains on summer tires is not an acceptable substitute for legal winter tires on signed highways.
- Studded tires may only be used on BC highways from October 1 to April 30, and studs should not stick out more than 2 mm from the tread. If you use studded tires on the front, you must use them on the back too.
Safety: The 3.5 mm minimum is only for a tire to count as a winter tire. BC's general tire rule lets most passenger vehicle tires wear down to 1.5 mm, but a tire that worn is not a legal winter tire. ICBC notes that as tread wears, traction, cornering and braking become less reliable.
M+S vs mountain snowflake: which should you choose?
Both are legal with at least 3.5 mm of tread, but they are not equal in snow.
- Three-peaked mountain and snowflake (winter tires and all-weather tires): the Province says these give better traction on snow and ice and recommends them for cold weather driving. ICBC says they meet a performance-based standard and are the best winter tires available.
- M+S (most all-season tires): TranBC says the tire industry indicates M+S tires use a harder compound that offers less traction below 7°C than mountain snowflake tires. ICBC says M+S tires are a safe option if you only meet winter conditions now and then and drive with extra care when you do.
TranBC's advice: if you only drive in a milder area like the Lower Mainland that gets rain rather than snow, you may choose all-weather or all-season tires. ICBC recommends four matched mountain snowflake tires if you regularly drive in snow or go skiing often.
Chains and commercial vehicles
For passenger vehicles, the Province recommends carrying chains for extreme conditions. For commercial vehicles, it says:
- Commercial drivers travelling outside Greater Vancouver and Greater Victoria in winter must carry chains or other acceptable traction devices and obey all signs.
- Trucks from 5,000 kg to 11,794 kg licensed GVW must carry chains or acceptable traction devices, unless they have winter tires with the mountain snowflake or M+S symbol.
- Vehicles of 11,794 kg licensed GVW and over, such as tractor trailers, must carry steel chains on most major highways.
DriveBC posts chain-up status reports showing where chains are currently required.
Fines for not having winter tires
The Province's enforcement page and BC's Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation list these ticket amounts:
| Offence | Ticketed amount | Paid within 30 days |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger vehicle without winter tires when and where required (Motor Vehicle Act s. 125, failing to obey a traffic control device) | $121 | $96 |
| Commercial vehicle not carrying chains or a traction device when and where required (Regulations s. 7.1635) | $196 | $171 |
| Commercial vehicle driven without chains or a traction device, such as bypassing an active chain-up area (Motor Vehicle Act s. 208(4)) | $598 | $573 |
Winter tires and ICBC claims
ICBC says driving without winter tires won't mean you are automatically at fault in a crash. However, if you crash where winter tires could have helped, not having them may affect whether you are at fault, or how much.
Practical tips before you drive
- Check DriveBC before you leave. DriveBC.ca shows real-time road conditions, closures, highway webcams and delays. You can also call 1-800-550-4997 for current highway conditions.
- Check tire pressure in the cold. Pressure drops as temperatures fall. The Province says to check it at least once a month when tires are cold. ICBC says to use the vehicle maker's recommended pressure, not the maximum printed on the tire.
- Measure your tread. TranBC suggests an inexpensive tire depth gauge to confirm you have at least 3.5 mm.
- Pack an emergency kit. ICBC lists a first aid kit, food and water, warm clothing, a shovel, sand or non-clumping kitty litter, and jumper cables.
Safety: The Province says the best way to stay safe in extreme conditions is to avoid driving until the weather improves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are winter tires mandatory in Surrey?
No official source we found requires winter tires on Surrey streets or on Highway 1 and Highway 99 through the Lower Mainland. They are required once you pass a winter tire sign, such as on the Sea-to-Sky, the Coquihalla or Highway 1 east of Laidlaw.
When do you need winter tires in BC?
From October 1 to April 30 on most designated highways. On some routes outside mountain passes and high snowfall areas, the requirement ends March 31.
Are M+S tires winter tires in BC?
Yes, legally. M+S tires with at least 3.5 mm of tread meet BC's minimum winter tire requirement. Tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol give better traction on snow and ice.
Do I need winter tires to drive to Whistler?
Yes. Highway 99 from Horseshoe Bay to Whistler and Pemberton is a designated route from October 1 to March 31.
Do you need winter tires on the Coquihalla?
Yes. Highway 5 is a designated route from October 1 to April 30. Highway 3 east of Hope has the same dates.
What is the fine for no winter tires in BC?
$121 for a passenger vehicle, or $96 if paid within 30 days. You may also be turned around at the sign.
Do motorcycles need winter tires in BC?
No. The Province says motorcycles are exempt from the winter tire and chain rules, but riders should stay off the road in snow, slush, ice or near-freezing temperatures.
Official sources
- Winter Driving — Province of British Columbia
- Winter Tire and Chain-up Routes and Dates — Province of British Columbia
- South Coast Region winter tire and chain routes map (PDF) — Ministry of Transportation
- Southern Interior Region winter tire and chain routes map (PDF) — Ministry of Transportation
- About Winter Tires (Passenger Vehicles) — Province of British Columbia
- Commercial Vehicles — Province of British Columbia
- Winter Driving Enforcement — Province of British Columbia
- Motorcycles — Province of British Columbia
- Motor Vehicle Act, Part 5 (section 208) — BC Laws
- Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, Division 7 (sections 7.161 to 7.1635) — BC Laws
- Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation, Schedule 3 — BC Laws
- Tips about winter tires — ICBC
- Winter driving — ICBC
- How to Choose from 4 Types of Tires for Winter Driving in BC — TranBC
- DriveBC — road conditions, closures and webcams
- Chain-up status reports — DriveBC
General information only, not professional advice. Rules and prices change, so check the official sources above before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.