Quebec drivers can switch to summer tires as early as this weekend
If you’re ready to give up on the current season, this weekend you can legally bid farewell to your winter tires.
Starting this weekend, just like stuffing your winter coat into storage, Quebecers can swap out a wintertime item and not think about it for a few months.
As of Saturday, March 15, motorists in the province, including all passenger vehicles, taxis, motorcycles and scooters can switch to their summer wheels or all-season ones, according to the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).
See also
- Quebec's mandatory winter tire deadline will be earlier next year
- Montreal has changed its bylaws to allow more car sharing
- Opening of the new Champlain Bridge just got pushed back another 6 months
- Montreal considering banning charcoal and wood-burning ovens in restaurants
The SAAQ is, however, recommending caution, and warns drivers that an upcoming cold snap could drop temperatures back below zero.
When temperatures drop below -5ºC, according to the SAAQ, the rubber on summer and all-season tires becomes hard and loses traction.
And even though you can swap out your tires this weekend, drivers might be wise to wait until the snow completely melts.
Quebec’s mandatory winter tire date runs from December 15 to March 15 with fines ranging from $200 to $300, plus costs, for drivers who fail to properly dress their cars with winter tires.
Keep in mind that starting in December 2019, winter tires will need to be installed on December 1 rather than the usual December 15 due to a change in the province’s Highway Safety Code.