Old Man Winter is showing up this year, just like he does every year. For safety when driving and to ensure compliance with existing legislation, make sure your vehicle is equipped with tires specifically designed for winter driving! Here’s some useful information compiled by Assurances Groupe Vézina.
Since 2008, the use of winter tires on all passenger vehicle and taxis registered in Quebec has been mandatory during the period from December 1 to March 15. What’s new is that, in order to meet legal requirements, winter tires must from now on:
- Bear the “Snowflake/Moutain” pictogram
or
- Be studded and be used as set out in the Regulation respecting the use of non-skid devices on the tires of certain road vehicles.
However, certain exceptions apply:
- If you purchase a passenger vehicle from a dealer, you have a grace period of seven days in which to get the mandatory winter tires installed.
- If you rent a vehicle for a period of one year or more, it can be without winter tires for the last seven days of the rental period.
- If you travel by car between Quebec and a warmer destination in the United States between December 15 and March 15, you can drive in Quebec without winter tires for seven days. Important: You must obtain a winter tire exemption certificate from an SAAQ service outlet to be entitled to this exemption.
- Exemptions are provided for motorhomes, vehicles with a temporary licence plate (X plate), the spare tire of a passenger vehicle or taxi, and motorcycles used as emergency vehicles.
Why can’t we use all-season tires?
Summer or all-season tires are simply no match for winter weather in Quebec. The rubber that they’re made of is not soft enough to grip the road surface adequately in cold temperatures. That’s why winter tires are mandatory as of December 1. Note that your tires must have a tread depth of at least 4.8 mm (3/16 inch) when installed to guarantee better traction.
For full details of the Quebec drivers’ obligations with regard to winter tires, go to www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca or www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca.
Assurances Groups Vézina is there to help you prevent losses. Feel free to contact us!
