B.C.’s requirement for vehicles to have winter tires to travel on most highways is now in effect.
Each year between at least Oct. 1 and March 31, though some highways the requirement extends to April 30, vehicles travelling on highways are required to have winter tires or chains to travel.
The B.C. government says this requirement is enforced by police, and those not in compliance may be fined or turned away.
The fine for a passenger vehicle without winter tires is $121, for a commercial vehicle bypassing an active chain up area the fine is $598, and for a commercial vehicle not carrying chains the fine is $196.
The following highways on Vancouver Island require snow tires:
TranBC
According to the province, appropriate winter tires are defined as those with either the M+S (mud and snow) or mountain/snowflake symbol, in good condition with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 millimetres.
Laura Brougham
