Winter tires now needed for many B.C. highways, but local shop reports supply issues

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Winter tire rules are in effect as of Oct. 1 on many B.C. highways, but if you need new ones for your vehicle this year, you may have a tough time getting them.

Labour and supply issues mean you could be waiting for weeks or even months for a set of new winter wheels, as the COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of pressure on the tire industry.

A legal winter tire in BC can be one of 4 types…
Studded winter tire (3-peak mtn snowflake symbol)
Non-studded winter tire ()
All-weather tire ( )
All-season tire (M+S symbol)
How to decide which is right for you: https://t.co/3yfEkNFZG5 #ShiftIntoWinter pic.twitter.com/yq3XZV6ZPN

— BC Transportation (@TranBC) September 23, 2021

Brett Delaney, who co-owns and manages OK Tire in Langley, says his loading docks are stuffed with tires, but he is short of workers to unload them. Even when that finally does happen, he says everything is so back ordered because of disrupted and delayed supply chains, they’re all accounted for.

“Another thing we’re running into too is if there is inventory, some of it is back east. Right now, they’re charging anywhere from $15 to $27 a tire for shipping, so a lot of people are going to be waiting say end of October or beginning of November, and sometimes the later crowd that we do see this year is going to be the one that is going to be a little less forgiving compared to the last few years,” he told NEWS 1130, explaining that would likely translate into additional costs to the customer.

Winter tires or chains are required on most routes in #BC from October 1 to April 30. For detailed info see: https://t.co/njnppcnS50 #BCHwy pic.twitter.com/rNosh85n3j

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) October 1, 2021

“People are going to be handing me their credit card and saying, ‘I want those tires,’ and I’m going to be handing their credit card back and saying, ‘sorry, there’s no inventory.'”

He says even if you’re not looking to get new tires until later in the season, it’s a good idea to check inventory and stock ahead of time, and to make your purchase so they’re ready for you when you want them.

“Best to get ahead of the game or else you might be, for lack of a better word, SOL.”

Winter or M+S tires, or chains are required on most out of town highways in B.C. until April 30. Routes on which these tires are required are marked by signs, with rules enforced by police, ministry, or other enforcement officials.

Winter tires are not required in many areas along the coast, including within the Lower Mainland. Being caught without the appropriate tires can cost you $121.