Drivers who are caught travelling without winter tires or chains could be fined $121
Starting Tuesday, winter ties or chains are mandatory on most B.C. highways.
The seasonal rules kick in annually on Oct. 1 and remain in effect as late as April 30, depending on the route. For highways that do not go through mountain passes or heavy snowfall areas, the rules will be lifted on March 31.
In B.C. tires with the M+S (mud and snow) symbol or a three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol are considered appropriate tires.
The B.C. transportation ministry and RCMP say tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol are optimal, but M+S tires will also be allowed.
The tires have to be in good condition, meaning they have at least a minimum tread depth of 3.5 mm.
Trucks and commercial vehicles weighing more than 11,794 kilograms must carry tire chains on required routes, while those under that weight limit can carry chains or use winter tires.
Because of the temperate climate on the South Coast, the winter-tire requirement does not apply to most highways in the Lower Mainland, with the exception of the Sea-to-Sky Highway from Horseshoe Bay to Whistler and Pemberton and sections of Highway 1 from Laidlaw into Hope and the Interior.
Many highways on Vancouver Island are also exempt, but not the Malahat section of Highway 1.
Drivers who are caught travelling without winter tires or chains could be fined $121 under the Motor Vehicle Act. Commercial vehicles caught not carrying chains when required could face a $196 penalty, while commercial vehicles that bypass an active chain up area could fined $596.