London sits in Ontario’s snowbelt, so winter driving skills matter more here than in much of the province.
- Winter tires: not legally required in Ontario (unlike Quebec), but insurers must offer a discount for using them, and they meaningfully shorten stopping distances below about 7°C. We cover winter tire basics in lessons even though we don’t control what car a student eventually drives.
- Visibility: fully clear snow and ice from your windshield, windows, lights, and roof before driving — not just a peephole. Snow blowing off a vehicle’s roof is both a ticketable offence and a real hazard to drivers behind you.
- Following distance: increase your following distance substantially on snow or ice — normal dry-road gaps are not enough to stop safely.
- Black ice: most common on bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads; treat sudden shiny patches of pavement with extra caution, especially around dawn and dusk.
See ontario.ca’s winter driving guidance for the full picture, and our Snow-Day Mode banner for current weather-related lesson cancellations.