Winter tires in Quebec

What are winter tires?

Winter tires are special tires with deeper grooves designed to improve the vehicle’s grip and traction in winter conditions.

They reduce the distance needed for braking by 25% (as long as the tires are in good condition) and allow for safe acceleration of the vehicle.¹ In addition, winter tires also have a rubber compound that doesn’t harden at cold temperatures, improving traction compared to other tires.

Winter tires differ from other types of tires like all-season or all-weather tires. All-season tires, despite the name, are not appropriate (or legal) for winter in Quebec. Most all-weather tires are acceptable — let’s find out how to make sure your tires are acceptable for winter use.

Requirements for winter tires

Winter tires must be marked with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol:

Studded tires are also acceptable, though they may not have the mountain symbol on them.

Winter tires are mandatory in Quebec from December 1 to March 15. Failure to meet this requirement carries a fine from $200 to $300.

Exceptions

There are some exceptions to the winter tire requirement:

• The first 7 days following the purchase of a vehicle from a dealer
• The last 7 days before the end of a lease of 12 months or more
• Vehicles with dealer plates (X plates)
• Vehicles with a temporary registration certificate (transit), for a period of up to 7 days after the certificate was issued
• Motor homes
• Spare tires
• Motorcycles used as emergency vehicles
• Vehicles for which a winter tire exemption certificate has been issued (you must request a certificate online via SAAQclic or visit a service outlet)²

Safety tips

Don’t let snow tires give you a false sense of security. You should still watch your speed and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles during the winter.

The Government of Quebec recommends winter tires with a tread depth of at least 4.8 mm.¹ To estimate the tread depth, use a toonie. The silver band around the outside is approximately 5 mm — if your tread depth is shallower than that band, your winter tires likely need replacing. Make sure you check several grooves in different locations of the tires. For reference, new winter tires usually have a tread depth of at least 8 mm.

The Quebec transportation ministry, the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité, recommends that you get your vehicle tuned up before the winter months. Make sure your windshield wipers, and heating/defrosting systems are working. Always check the washer fluid and antifreeze levels before you hit the road.

The age of your winter tires is also important: the tread on older tires is harder and therefore less effective on snow and ice. Many vehicle manufacturers suggest replacing tires six years after their manufacturing date.³

You can check the date of the tires by locating the DOT identification number on the tire wall. The final four digits of this number represent the week and the year the tire was made.

For example, in the image below, the number 4119 indicates the tire was manufactured in the 41^st week of 2019:

Commonly asked questions

Are chains and studded tires allowed in Quebec?

In Quebec, studded tires and chains are allowed between October 15 and May 1. Studded tires are authorized for passenger vehicles, taxis and commercial vehicles up to 3,000 kg. Chains are authorized for emergency vehicles, farm tractors and snow removal and winter maintenance vehicles.

Can I use winter tires year-round?

No. Winter tires should not be used in the summer for the following reasons:

• The rubber in winter tires wears down more quickly in warmer temperatures, increasing the risk of tires bursting and potentially causing a loss of vehicle control.
• Winter tires do not evacuate water as efficiently as all-season tires, making them more susceptible to aquaplaning.
• The stopping distance for winter tires used in the summer may be greater than that of all-season tires, especially on wet pavement.

Should I change to winter tires before December 1 and keep them on after March 15?

Weather conditions can vary in Quebec — anyone who lives in the province will tell you it’s not unusual to have snow in October and November, and even April. The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec recommends that drivers install snow tires before December 1 and keep them on your vehicle for a few weeks after March 15.

To avoid delays at tire shops, there’s no harm in switching to winter tires as soon as daily high temperatures start to fall below about 7°C.

If I’m driving to Quebec from another province, do I need to have winter tires?

While it is recommended for safety reasons to use snow tires, the requirement for winter tires only applies to vehicles registered in Quebec. So, if you’re driving from Toronto to spend Christmas with friends or family in Montreal, you wouldn’t need to have snow tires since your vehicle is registered in another province.

Sources

1. Gouvernement du Québec. “Requirements for winter tires.” quebec.ca, 20 Mar. 2024, www.quebec.ca/en/transports/traffic-road-safety/winter-road-safety/requirements-for-winter-tires.
2. Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec. “Winter preparation.” saaq.gouv.qc.ca, 18 Jul. 2024, saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/road-safety/modes-transportation/automobile/maintenance-safety/winter-preparation.
3. Montoya, Ronald. “How Old — and Dangerous — Are Your Tires?” Edmunds, 27 Sept. 2011, www.edmunds.com/car-maintenance/how-old-and-dangerous-are-your-tires.html.

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