Guide
Winter tire laws in Canada, province by province
Only Quebec requires winter tires on every car, and British Columbia requires them on most highways. Everywhere else they're optional, but insurers, lenders and the weather all give you reasons to fit them.
At a glance
| Province or territory | Winter tires | Studded tires |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | Required Dec 1 to Mar 15 on every Quebec-registered car, including rentals. Tires must show the mountain snowflake pictogram or be studded; M+S alone doesn't count. Fine $200 to $300. | Oct 15 to May 1 |
| British Columbia | Required Oct 1 to Apr 30 on most highways (some routes end Mar 31), where signs are posted. Mountain snowflake or M+S tires with at least 3.5 mm of tread, or carry chains. Fine $121. | Oct 1 to Apr 30 |
| Ontario | Not required. Every insurer must offer a winter tire discount (since Jan 1, 2016). | Not allowed, except vehicles registered in Northern Ontario: Sep 1 to May 31 |
| Manitoba | Not required. MPI's Winter Tire Program finances up to $2,000 for winter tires with the mountain snowflake. | Oct 1 to Apr 30 |
| Alberta | Not required. Some insurers give a discount. | Allowed all year |
| Saskatchewan | Not required. | Allowed all year |
| New Brunswick | Not required. | Oct 15 to May 1 |
| Nova Scotia | Not required. | Oct 15 to May 31 |
| Prince Edward Island | Not required. | Oct 1 to May 31 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Not required. | Nov 1 to Apr 30 (often extended in spring) |
| Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut | Not required. | Allowed all year |
Rules change. Check your provincial government or ministry of transportation before you rely on a date.
What counts as a winter tire
Look for the three-peak mountain and snowflake symbol on the sidewall. It means the tire passed a standard snow traction test. Tires marked only M+S (mud and snow) are usually all-season tires: they're accepted on B.C. highways but not in Quebec. Many all-weather tires carry the mountain snowflake and are legal in both, though some programs, such as Manitoba's financing, now exclude them.
When to switch
A common rule of thumb is to fit winter tires once daytime temperatures stay below about 7 °C, when all-season rubber starts to harden. In much of Canada that's late October or early November, well before Quebec's December 1 deadline. In spring, wait until the cold mornings are over; Quebec suggests waiting a few weeks after March 15.
Book early. Tire shops are busiest in the two weeks before the first snowfall and before Quebec's deadline.
Insurance discounts
In Ontario, every insurer must offer a discount for winter tires. Many insurers in other provinces offer one too, usually if the tires are on during set months, often from November or December to March or April. Check your policy for the exact dates, because a discount can depend on them.
Driving into the U.S.
Most U.S. states don't require winter tires, but mountain states such as Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington can require traction tires or chains when posted, and several states ban or restrict studded tires. Check the state's transportation department before a winter trip.
Lugnut Pro tells you when to swap. It watches the 6 a.m. forecast for your city, knows your province's or state's rules and your insurer's dates, and reminds you to book. It also tracks each tire set's age and tread. See how it works.