Driving on ice and snow: stopping distances, gears and skids
Frost on the windscreen and ice on the road. Get ready properly, keep a big gap and know what to do if the car slides.
The short version
- Only drive in ice and snow if you must. Clear every window, light and the roof first.
- Up to ten times the stopping distance. High gear, gentle everything.
- Skidding: ease off, do not brake hard, steer into the skid.
Step 1
It is minus three outside and snow is forecast later.
Your trip is to the shops and could wait. Should you go?
✓ Only if the journey is essential. Otherwise wait. The Highway Code advises against driving in ice and snow unless it is essential. Fewer cars on the road also helps gritters and emergency services.
Why not the other options
- ✗ Yes, but leave earlier to beat the snow. Forecasts can be wrong by hours. If the journey is not essential, the safest trip is the one you do not make.
- ✗ Yes, ice is only a problem on hills. Ice forms on flat roads too, especially in shade and on bridges.
- ✗ Yes, if you drive faster you will be on the road for less time. Speed is what turns a slide into a crash on ice.
Step 2
You have to go. The windscreen is frozen and there is snow on the roof.
What MUST you do before setting off?
✓ Clear all the windows, mirrors, lights and number plates, and brush the snow off the roof. You must be able to see out of every window, and snow sliding off the roof can blind you or the driver behind.
Why not the other options
- ✗ Scrape a small patch on the windscreen to see through. Peering through a porthole is not enough. You MUST be able to see clearly through all windows.
- ✗ Set off and let the heater clear it as you go. Driving before you can see properly is dangerous and can be an offence.
- ✗ Just clear the windscreen, the side windows do not matter. You need the side windows and mirrors to see at junctions and when changing lanes.
Step 3
An ice warning sign. The car ahead is moving at the same speed as you.
How big a gap should you leave?
✓ Up to ten times your normal gap. On ice it can take up to ten times as far to stop as on a dry road. Drop back well behind.
Why not the other options
- ✗ The usual two seconds. Two seconds is for dry roads. On ice you need far more.
- ✗ Double the normal gap. Double is for wet roads. Ice can be ten times.
- ✗ Stay close so you can see its tyre tracks. If it stops suddenly you will not, however good your view of its tracks.
Step 4
How should you drive on the ice?
✓ Slowly, in as high a gear as you can, with very gentle steering, accelerating and braking. A high gear gives less torque at the wheels so they are less likely to spin. Every input should be smooth.
Why not the other options
- ✗ In a low gear with high revs for more grip. High revs in a low gear make the wheels more likely to spin.
- ✗ Normally, but brake harder so you stop in time. Harsh braking locks the wheels on ice. Brake early and gently.
- ✗ In neutral to coast more smoothly. Coasting removes engine braking and control. Stay in gear.
Step 5
The steering suddenly goes light and the back of the car starts sliding to the right.
What do you do?
✓ Ease off the accelerator, do not brake hard, and steer gently to the right. Remove the cause and steer into the skid: if the rear slides right, steer right to bring it back in line.
Why not the other options
- ✗ Brake as hard as you can. Hard braking on ice keeps the skid going. Release the brake and steer.
- ✗ Steer hard to the left. Steering away from the skid makes it worse and can spin the car.
- ✗ Accelerate to pull out of it. More power means less grip. Ease off.
The rules behind it
- Rule 228 In ice or snow, do not drive unless your journey is essential.
- Rule 229 Before setting off in snow or ice, clear all windows, lights and number plates, and remove snow that could fall off.
- Rule 230 On ice and snow, stopping distances can be up to ten times longer than on a dry road.
- Rule 126 Leave enough space to stop safely if the vehicle in front suddenly slows down or stops. Never get closer than the overall stopping distance.
- Rule 231 On ice, drive slowly in as high a gear as possible and accelerate, steer and brake very gently.
- Rule 119 If you skid, release the brake or ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly in the direction of the skid.
More situations
Based on the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act 1988 as published on GOV.UK in October 2026, in our own words; follow the links for the full text. Insurance points are common UK insurer policy terms, so check your own policy. This is not legal advice. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.