{"id":14113,"date":"2026-10-27T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jeconduis.com\/?p=14113"},"modified":"2026-10-10T03:06:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T07:06:58","slug":"first-winter-driving-new-drivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jeconduis.com\/en\/premier-hiver-au-volant-nouveaux-conducteurs\/","title":{"rendered":"First winter behind the wheel: 8 habits for new drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Winter driving<\/div>\n

First winter behind the wheel: 8 habits for new drivers<\/h2>\n

Got your learner's or probationary licence this year and never driven in snow? Here are 8 concrete habits that make a real difference from the first snowfall, from the driveway to the highway.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

Winter driving in Quebec is about more than just going slower. It is a set of small actions you repeat every time you head out: getting the car ready, checking the roads, keeping your distance, braking differently and knowing what to do when the car starts to slide. Experienced drivers do these things without thinking. This is your first winter, so it is the perfect time to build the right habits.<\/p>\n\n

A quick word on tires: winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 15. We explain why you should not wait for that date in our article on fall driving for new drivers<\/a>. This guide covers what happens once your winter tires are on.<\/p>\n\n

Habit 1: clear the whole vehicle, not just a peephole<\/h2>\n

A small square scraped in the windshield is not enough. Before you leave, clear every window, the mirrors, the roof, the hood, the front and rear lights, the licence plate and the snow packed on the fenders. Snow on the roof can slide onto your windshield the first time you brake, or blow onto the car behind you.<\/p>\n

This is not just good sense. It is also the law.<\/p>\n\n
Situation<\/th>Fine<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Vehicle covered with snow or ice that could come loose<\/td>$60 to $100, plus costs<\/td><\/tr>
Visibility reduced by snow or ice on the windows<\/td>$100 to $200, plus costs<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n

According to Qu\u00e9bec.ca<\/a>, you will also have to clean the windows and windshield if you are stopped. Give yourself a few extra minutes in the morning: clearing a car properly takes time.<\/p>\n\n

Habit 2: check Qu\u00e9bec 511 before you leave<\/h2>\n

Before a trip, especially on the highway or outside your usual area, check Qu\u00e9bec 511<\/a> (website or app). It shows road conditions, closures, crashes and traffic cameras. When conditions are very poor, the government recommends postponing non-essential trips. And a closed road stays closed: never try to get around it.<\/p>\n

For a new driver, it is also an easy way to decide whether to leave earlier, take another route or wait until the plows have gone through.<\/p>\n\n

Habit 3: leave a lot more space ahead<\/h2>\n

On a snowy road, you need much more distance to stop. CAA-Qu\u00e9bec recommends aiming for at least 6 seconds behind the vehicle ahead, and more depending on conditions. To measure it, wait until the car ahead passes a pole, then count slowly. If you reach the pole before \"six\", back off.<\/p>\n

That space gives you time to brake gently instead of suddenly, which is exactly what the next habit is about.<\/p>\n\n

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Driving at the speed limit can still cost you<\/div>\n

The posted limit is meant for a dry road. According to the SAAQ, driving that is not adapted to weather and road conditions carries a $60 fine, plus costs, and 2 demerit points. With a learner's or probationary licence, every point counts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

Habit 4: brake early, brake gently, and understand ABS<\/h2>\n

In winter, sudden moves are your enemy: hard braking or a quick turn of the wheel can make you lose grip. Start slowing down further ahead of stops and curves, and ease off the gas well before you get there.<\/p>\n

If your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS), which your owner's manual will confirm, here is how to react. In an emergency stop, press the pedal firmly and keep the pressure on. Do not pump: the system does that for you. You may feel the pedal pulse and hear a clunking sound. That is normal and means ABS is working. Do not let go of the pedal in surprise, and keep steering: ABS is there precisely so you can keep control of the wheel while braking.<\/p>\n\n

Habit 5: in a skid, look where you want to go<\/h2>\n

Even careful drivers skid at some point. The natural reflex is to stare at what you want to avoid, and your hands follow your eyes. You need to do the opposite.<\/p>\n\n

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Step 1<\/div>
Ease off<\/div>

Release the gas and the brake. The wheels need to regain grip before you can steer the car.<\/p><\/div>\n

Step 2<\/div>
Look where you want to go<\/div>

Keep your eyes on your lane, not on the snowbank or the pole. Your hands will follow.<\/p><\/div>\n

Step 3<\/div>
Steer gently in that direction<\/div>

If the rear slides out, turn the front wheels in the direction the rear is going. Use small corrections, never sudden ones.<\/p><\/div>\n

Step 4<\/div>
Be ready for the next correction<\/div>

The car may swing back the other way. Correct again, quickly but smoothly, until it is stable.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Habit 6: watch for black ice, especially on bridges<\/h2>\n

Black ice is a thin, clear layer of ice: the road simply looks wet. CAA-Qu\u00e9bec points to the riskiest spots: bridges, overpasses and open areas, especially when the temperature is around 0\u00b0C. Shaded areas deserve extra attention too.<\/p>\n

Before a bridge or overpass, ease off the gas and avoid braking or changing lanes on it.<\/p>\n\n

Habit 7: give snowplows plenty of room<\/h2>\n

Snow removal vehicles are big, slow and have large blind spots. Qu\u00e9bec.ca asks drivers to be patient around them, and the SAAQ reminds drivers to stay out of their blind spots and keep a safe distance.<\/p>\n