October 15, 2026From December 1 to March 15, tires must bear the mountain and snowflake pictogram. All-season tires with it are allowed; others are not. The rules, clearly.
The rule: the mountain and snowflake pictogram
In Quebec, from December 1 to March 15 inclusive, passenger vehicles registered in Quebec must run on tires designed for winter. A tire counts as a winter tire if it bears the pictogram of a snowflake inside a mountain, or if it is studded.
Four-season vs all-season tires: the difference
The pictogram makes all the difference.
- ✓Four-season tire with the mountain and snowflake pictogram: allowed in winter
- ✓"All-season" tire marked only M+S: not compliant from December 1 to March 15
- ✓Check the sidewall: the pictogram is moulded into it
An approved four-season tire is still a compromise: on ice and deep snow, a true winter tire keeps an edge. It does save two tire changes a year.
Other rules to know
The requirement covers all passenger vehicles registered in Quebec, including rentals. Studded tires are allowed from October 15 to May 1. Driving without compliant tires during the mandatory period carries a fine of $200 to $300, plus costs.
The right time to install them
Don't wait until November 30: garages are swamped at the first snowfall. Install your winter tires when the temperature stays around 7 °C, often by late October, and book your appointment a few weeks ahead.
