Winter Driving Tips for GTA Beginners

Driving in winter is a whole different experience—especially in places like Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where icy roads, snowstorms, and slush are a regular part of the season. For new drivers, winter can feel intimidating. But with the right preparation and habits, you can stay safe and confident behind the wheel. Here is an early guide for winter driving tips required for GTA roads.

  1. Equip your car with winter tires Winter tires are not optional - they are necessary. They are made of a soft rubber that remains flexible in cold temperatures, and the trade is designed to catch icy or icy roads compared to all seasonal tires.

Why does it mean something in Toronto/GTA: Many side roads and residential roads are dropped less often than highways, making traction more important than ever.

Pro tips: Install winter tires before the first snowfall at mid-November.

  1. Clean the car completely Driving with ice on the roof, windshield or light is illegal (and dangerous). Brush always:

Windshield and windows

page mirror

Roof and hood

Headlights and stories

Why it does matter: Fly can cause snow or accidents with little visibility - and the police in the Peel Area tickets for it.

  1. Get light on gas and brakes Sudden acceleration or braking is the fastest way to lose control of ice or ice.

What to do instead:

Slowly and smooth

Don’t smack brake -paddle quickly and slowly

Leave the extra space between you and the car (at least 6 seconds)

Pro Tip: If your wheels spin, let the gas gently to regain traction.

  1. Know when to use cruise control (and when not) Never use cruise control on snow -covered, snowy or wet roads. This may react to spin your wheels or lose control of your car before responding.

  2. Practice winter exercises in a safe area If you are new to snow driving, you can practice in an empty parking when conditions are calm. try:

Gentle braking

Steering through slow swing bend

Recover from smaller skids

Why it matters: realizing how your car handles ice or ice helps to reduce nervousness when it is in real traffic.

  1. Look for black ice Black ice is invisible and extremely smooth. It is formed in shaded areas, bridges and crosses - especially after morning or sunset.

How to handle it:

Don’t panic or suddenly move

Remove the foot from gas and control gently

Avoid hard braking

  1. Stay in iconic orbit Stick to the well -traveled roads where plow and salt cars have gone. As long as you are needed, avoid side roads, especially after heavy snowfall.

In Toronto: Motorways such as 410 or 401 are usually cleaned first, while small residential roads can take longer.

  1. Use the headlights, not high beams Use low beam headlights under ice or fog. High beams can reflect falling ice and reduce visibility.

  2. Keep winter emergency kits in the car If you are trapped or trapped, always be ready. Must join your kit:

carpet

Snow faults and snow brush

Flashlight

booster cable

Additional windshield wash fluid

Snacks and bottled water

Telephone charger or power bank

  1. Check the Weather Before You Drive Before heading out, check weather apps, road condition reports, and local traffic updates. If conditions look bad, postpone non-essential trips.

Helpful sources:

Ontario 511

The Weather Network

City of Toronto snow clearing updates.