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The British winter is unpredictable, with snow often turning roads into slippery challenges overnight. Add freezing fog, black ice, and long dark evenings to the mix, and it’s clear that winter driving requires careful attention.
When the weather gets truly biblical, the government may advise against travel in severe conditions. However, it’s not always an option for those who need to get to work or tend to family matters. Driving in even a thin layer of snow can be tricky if you’re caught off guard. UK drivers rarely face these conditions. That’s why we’ve put together a guide full of practical tips to help you navigate snow and winter conditions safely.
How to drive in the snow safely 2025?
Driving in snow presents more challenges than in normal conditions, so taking a careful, measured approach is key to staying safe on the roads.
Slow down and keep your distance
If you’re not used to driving in snow, take your time. Snow and ice reduce grip, so it’s crucial to drive slowly and carefully. Make sure to leave plenty of space between you and the car in front, as stopping distances can be up to 10 times longer than usual. This gives you a bit more room to manoeuvre and time to react if things go wrong.
Start in second gear
Driving in snow is all about keeping things smooth, and using a higher gear than normal can make a big difference. In a manual car, starting in second gear instead of first helps reduce wheel spin, making it easier to get going without drama. Once you’re moving, try to stick to a steady speed and keep gear changes to a minimum to avoid unsettling the car.
If you’ve got an automatic, check for a ‘snow driving mode’ — many cars have this, and it’s designed to help in slippery conditions. If not, you can often shift manually into a higher gear to help keep things under control. Simple adjustments like these can make a tricky journey that bit easier.
Keep your headlights on
Use dipped headlights when driving in heavy snow, as they improve visibility without causing glare for other drivers. They also ensure your car remains visible to road users behind you.
Switch on your fog lights if visibility drops to less than 100 metres, but remember to turn them off once conditions improve to avoid dazzling other motorists.
Go easy on the brakes
Your wheels are far more likely to lose grip and lock up if you slam on the brakes, so go easy. Brake gently and, where possible, use your gears and engine braking to help slow the car smoothly, rather than the brake pedal.
Negotiate hills carefully
Avoid stopping on a hill in snow, if possible, as you may struggle to pull off again. When descending hills, use a low gear and try to avoid using the brakes if you can to prevent skidding.
Driving uphill in snow needs a steady approach. Leave plenty of space from cars ahead so you don’t have to stop halfway up, as getting going again can be tough. Use a higher gear, keep your speed consistent, and avoid sudden acceleration to reduce wheel spin.
If you’re in a manual, stick to one gear; automatics may have a snow mode to help. At the top, be cautious — visibility or ice might make the descent tricky.
Approach bends with caution
When approaching a corner, brake gently before turning the wheel to keep control. If you feel the car starting to lose grip, don’t panic. Ease off the accelerator, focus on where you want to go — your eyes will guide you there. Steer towards your desired direction, and stay calm to regain control.
Know how to recover from a skid
f your car starts to skid, steer gently into the skid (e.g., if the rear slides left, steer left) and ease off the accelerator. Avoid slamming on the brakes, as it can make the skid worse.
Try to drive on fresh snow
Whenever possible, aim to drive on fresh, untouched snow. It offers better grip than compacted or icy tracks left by other vehicles. Just keep your movements smooth and steady to avoid losing traction.
Beware of black ice
Always keep the driving environment in mind, especially spots prone to staying icy while others thaw. Shaded patches or areas that the sun hasn’t reached can remain slippery, even if the rest of the road looks clear. Bridges are a prime example — they freeze quickly and take longer to thaw. Always stay alert when driving through open spaces or over elevated sections of road.
If you encounter black ice (a thin, transparent layer of ice that blends with the road, making it hard to spot), try to brake in a straight line and in a progressive manner to avoid unsettling the car and skidding. If you lock the brakes, release the brake pedal to regain control.
Mistakes to avoid when driving in snow
Sudden Movements
Avoid sudden movements when driving, especially in snow. Your car is far more sensitive to jerky steering, hard braking, or abrupt acceleration in these conditions. Smooth, steady inputs are key to maintaining control and staying safe.
Overconfidence in technology
Modern cars come packed with safety features like ABS (anti-lock braking system) and traction control, but they’re not a substitute for careful driving. Don’t assume these systems will save you if you push too hard — adjust your speed and driving style for the conditions.
Tailgating
Following other vehicles too closely is a recipe for disaster in general, let alone in snow or ice. Stopping distances can be up to 10 times longer, so leave plenty of space between you and the car in front to give yourself time to react.
What to check before driving in snow
Before heading out on a snowy journey, it’s important to make sure your car is fully prepared for the conditions. Here are some key checks to ensure a safer drive in the snow.
Decide if your journey is essential
Sometimes the safest choice is not to drive at all. Unless your trip is absolutely necessary, skipping the drive helps keep the roads safer for everyone. Plus, with fewer drivers out there, those who do need to be on the road will have a little more room to breathe.
Plan your journey
A universal piece of advice for driving in winter is to expect the unexpected. When driving in snow and ice, your car will handle differently than it will on dry tarmac – and in the worst cases, the weather can cause blocked roads and unforeseeable delays.
Therefore, taking a moment to plan your route and check for traffic or road closures can save you a lot of hassle if the weather suddenly turns bad. Apps such as Waze and Google Maps are pretty handy for this, with real-time updates on accidents and the fastest routes.
Clear any snow or ice from your windows
The Highway Code is clear: before you set off, your windscreen must be fully cleared of snow and ice to ensure an unobstructed view of the road. Failing to do so can not only put you and others at risk but also result in a fine if caught by the authorities. And it doesn’t stop there – snow left on the roof, bonnet, or boot can slide onto your windscreen or fall off, creating hazards for other drivers.
Visibility is critical in snowy weather, so take the time to clear your mirrors, lights, and number plates as well. A little extra preparation ensures your journey is safer and avoids any unnecessary penalties
Check your tyres
Ensure your tyres have plenty of tread left and are in good overall condition with no cracks or bulges. Tyres should have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, but for safer winter driving, it’s recommended to aim for at least 3mm to improve grip on wet and icy roads.
Make sure the tyres are pumped up to the pressure recommended in the car’s owner’s manual using a tyre inflator, and check the pressures weekly. If a tyre pressure monitoring system is fitted, reset it once you’ve topped up.
If you have the money and space, winter tyres are a worthwhile investment – regardless of whether it snows or not. They offer improved grip and traction on snow and ice compared with standard tyres, and they perform better on cold Tarmac as well. Alternatively, if you don’t often encounter extreme snow or ice, all-season tyres can be a great compromise, offering solid performance in a range of conditions.
Check your screen wash, wipers and lights
As mentioned earlier, visibility is key when driving in snow or harsh winter conditions. To maintain a clear view through the windscreen, keep your washer fluid topped up with the correct mix of water and screen wash. Check the bottle for the recommended ratio for winter conditions, as this will help prevent the washer fluid reservoir and pipework from freezing, no matter how mucky the conditions get.
Similarly, it would be a good idea to check that your windscreen wipers are in good condition and can effectively clear the glass. Before setting off in the morning, gently lift the wipers to ensure the rubber isn’t stuck to the windscreen. If they are, let the demister’s heat loosen them, or carefully pour lukewarm water over them before lifting them off the glass. However, avoid using hot water to speed up de-icing your windscreen, as it could cause the glass to crack.
Also, make sure that all of your car’s lights work and that they’re free from road grime – including the fog lamps, reversing lights and number plate lights. A quick wipe with a soft clean cloth before each journey will boost vision if there’s salt on the roads.
Winter weather driving: best survival equipment
It’s sensible to keep several items in the car over winter that could prove invaluable in the event of an emergency.
Ice scraper or de-icer
Being able to see the road around you clearly is crucial. Make sure you can see out of your windows and mirrors before setting off – investing in a good quality ice scarper and de-icer will come in handy. Also, if there’s snow on the roof, remove it before you set off – a ‘snow hat’ can cause all manner of visibility issues for other drivers behind you if it falls off at speed. You could use a car cover in winter to keep the ice and snow off, but they can be a hassle to deal with and cause paint damage.
Blanket and warm clothing
In the event you get stuck in your car, keeping warm is very important, so you’ll want to have a car blanket and winter clothing including hat, gloves and a cosy jacket in the boot just in case. We’d also recommend keeping a sturdy pair of boots in the luggage compartment in case you need to abandon your car and trudge off somewhere else. Only do that if you know you’re not far from help – it’s often safer to stay with the vehicle.
Water and food
Fog, snow and floods can lead to hours of traffic jams in winter. Having high-energy food – such as chocolate or energy bars – and water close to hand could prove invaluable if you get stuck. You can also top up washer fluid with the water if you run out – though you’ll need to remember to add proper washer fluid later to avoid it freezing if temperatures fall.
Keep these in your glovebox, too
High-visibility jacket and torch
Should the worst happen and you break down, these will keep you as visible as possible. Many cars these days come with these items as standard, but it helps if you can lay your hands on them in a hurry in the dark.
First aid kit
This helps you to deal with any minor injuries there and then.
Shovel and snow socks
A folding shovel could come in handy if you encounter deep snow or mud. Snow socks, which you wrap around the driven tyres, could also be very useful, gripping much better than summer tyres on packed snow. Make sure to take them off as soon as you go back onto clear Tarmac – it’ll destroy them in minutes. You can also use snow chains in deeper snow and ice.
UK snow driving FAQs
How can I drive better in the winter?
One way to improve your winter driving skills is to invest in some driver training. Skid pan days, for example, will give you safe experience of what it feels like to be in a skid, and how to recover from one. There are also some dedicated winter driving courses and training sessions available in the UK, allowing you to get to grips with driving in slippery conditions in a safe, controlled environment.
What is the AA advice for winter driving?
The first point the AA raises is, quite sensibly, whether you need to travel at all. You and your car might be perfectly capable of undertaking the trip, but traffic and accidents might mean it’s impossible to reach your destination. Other key points include driving gently, leaving plenty of room for stopping or avoidance, and considering the purchase of winter tyres.
Is it safe to drive in the UK in winter?
Driving in winter weather in the UK is more challenging and more risky than driving in good conditions, but you can minimise both the difficulty and risk by applying our winter driving tips and advice. Otherwise, if you are very nervous about driving in the snow, even after some practice, or if it makes you very uncomfortable, it’s perhaps best to wait until the conditions improve.
What should I do if my car skids on ice?
Gently steer into the skid and avoid slamming on the brakes. Instead, ease off the accelerator to regain control. Sudden movements will only make things worse, so focus on steering smoothly until your tyres find the grip again.
Can I drive an automatic in the snow?
Yes, absolutely. Most modern automatics have a winter or snow mode — use it if your car has one, as it helps reduce wheelspin by starting in a higher gear. If not, check if you can manually select a higher gear. The key is to drive smoothly, avoid harsh acceleration, and let the car do the hard work.
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