How Far Can Tires Stick Out Past the Fenders in BC?

Question: How far can the tread of a tire extend beyond the fenders of a vehicle in British Columbia before it becomes a violation? The Motor Vehicle Act Regulations address mudguards, while the vehicle inspection standards specify when fenders and mudflaps are required. There are also exemptions for certain antique and collector vehicles.

Motor Vehicle Act Regulations

Section 7.06 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations deals with mudguards:

Mudguards — Section 7.06

Every motor vehicle, trailer and semitrailer not constructed so that the spray and splash of water and mud to the rear of the vehicle is minimized shall be equipped with mudguards and, if necessary, mudflaps.

Section 7.06 does not specify a maximum distance that a tire may extend beyond the bodywork. The provincial Vehicle Inspection Manual provides more specific requirements for fenders and mudflaps.

Vehicle Inspection Standards

Designated Inspection Facilities use the provincial Vehicle Inspection Manual to determine whether a vehicle meets the applicable inspection standards.

Section 8, Item 20 of the 2025 Vehicle Inspection Manual deals with fenders and mudflaps. It states that a mudflap is required behind every wheel or axle group where the full width of the tire is not enclosed by a body element, such as a fender, extending down at least as far as the horizontal centre line of the wheel.

The manual specifies exceptions to this requirement. For example, a mudflap is not required where the body overhang is more than three times the underbody height. There are also provisions for certain vocational vehicles where there is insufficient room for a full-size mudflap or a mudflap would interfere with the vehicle's mechanical operation.

Where a mudflap is required, it must meet the applicable inspection criteria. A vehicle may be rejected if the mudflap does not cover the full tread width of the tires, is damaged or insecurely mounted, or fails to meet other applicable requirements.

The inspection standards do not specify a general permissible distance for tire tread to protrude beyond the fenders. Instead, they establish when mudflaps are required and the conditions those mudflaps must meet.

Exemptions for Antique and Collector Vehicles

Section 7.01 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations establishes exemptions from certain vehicle equipment requirements.

Under section 7.01(2), an antique motor vehicle or collector motor vehicle that was not originally designed and manufactured to comply with section 7.06 need not be equipped as required by that section.

Section 7.01(4) provides additional, specific exceptions for certain vehicles that are not equipped as required by section 7.06. These exceptions have their own conditions and should not be confused with a general exemption for all older vehicles.

What Qualifies as a Collector Motor Vehicle?

Section 22A.01 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations defines a collector motor vehicle. Subject to the applicable conditions, the vehicle must be used solely for pleasure purposes, rather than travel to and from work or school; ICBC must consider it to be of collectible value; and it must fall within one of the categories described in the regulation.

The categories include:

• 25-year-old vehicles: Vehicles at least 25 years old that have been maintained or restored to a condition conforming to the original manufacturer's specifications.
• 15-year-old vehicles: Vehicles at least 15 years old that are no longer produced or are of limited availability, and that have been maintained or restored to a condition conforming to the original manufacturer's specifications.
• Modified motor vehicles: Vehicles manufactured in 1974 or earlier and registered in British Columbia as 1974 or earlier models, with specified modifications to the body, chassis, power train, steering or braking mechanical components.
• Constructed motor vehicles: Certain vehicles manufactured in 1942 or earlier whose original bodies have been replaced with bodies resembling the originals, and certain vehicles constructed to resemble motor vehicles manufactured in 1942 or earlier. The applicable registration and other requirements must be met.

Qualifying as a collector motor vehicle does not automatically exempt a vehicle from every equipment requirement. The applicable exemption and its conditions must be considered.

Specific Exceptions for Certain Vehicles

Section 7.01(4) establishes specific exceptions to the equipment requirements of section 7.06 for certain vehicles:

• Certain BC collector vehicles: A collector motor vehicle manufactured in 1940 or earlier, with a current collector licence and distinctive number plate, that falls within Item 3 of the table in section 22A.01(1)(c). Item 3 concerns modified motor vehicles.
• Certain out-of-province vehicles: Vehicles duly registered outside British Columbia, meeting the licensing requirements of their jurisdiction and displaying current registration plates, manufactured in 1940 or earlier, and described in Item 3(b) of the table in section 22A.01(1)(c).
• Replicars and replikits: Qualifying vehicles registered inside or outside British Columbia that meet the applicable licensing requirements and were manufactured or designed to resemble motor vehicles manufactured in 1940 or earlier.

A vehicle relying on one of the exceptions in section 7.01(4) may be operated without the equipment required by section 7.06 only when the highway is dry and paved. All other conditions specified in the regulation must also be met.

The regulation defines a replicar as a motor vehicle constructed entirely of new components to resemble the make and model of a motor vehicle that is no longer manufactured. A replikit is designed to resemble such a vehicle and is constructed from new or refurbished components.

The 2025 Vehicle Inspection Manual confirms that mudflaps are not required for vehicles meeting the criteria in section 7.01(4)(a)(i), (ii) or (iii).

When one of these vehicles is presented for inspection and meets all other applicable inspection criteria under Section 8, the inspection report must be marked "Pass with caution" and include a comment identifying the applicable exception.

These are specific equipment exceptions, not a blanket exemption from all vehicle equipment and inspection requirements.

Enforcement

Police action involving a vehicle with tires extending beyond its fenders may include a Notice and Order 3, a Notice and Order 2, a traffic ticket, or a combination of these, depending on the circumstances.

A ticket may be issued under section 7.06 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations or section 219(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act, as applicable.

Both offences carry a $109 fine with no penalty points. However, a conviction under section 219(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act will appear on the driver's driving record.

The important distinction is that the inspection standards address both tire coverage and the circumstances in which mudflaps are required. The regulations also recognize specific exemptions for certain vehicles. Whether an exemption applies depends on the vehicle's classification and the conditions set out in the applicable regulation.

Learn More

• Photos of Concern: Tires Too Wide for Vehicle Body