In Montréal, winter is not just about snow: it is also about snow removal. If you have a rental car during the season, a few parking rules will save you from towing and a fine.

How snow removal works

Snow removal happens in three steps: spreading abrasives or de-icer, plowing the streets and sidewalks, then loading the snow into trucks. Street parking is prohibited at certain hours during snow loading.

Watch for the temporary orange signs

Before snow loading, temporary no-parking signs are installed on the streets. According to the City of Montréal (page in French), signs that prohibit parking from 7 am to 7 pm are generally installed the day before, by 8 pm, and signs that prohibit parking from 7 pm to 7 am are installed the same day, by 3 pm. Read the hours on the sign carefully: loading can happen day or night.

Important: these temporary signs take priority over permanent signs. If you ignore them, the vehicle is towed and you get a fine.

Get an alert to move the vehicle

The 311 Montréal app lets you follow snow removal operations and get a notification when a vehicle needs to be moved. It also shows temporary parking during snow loading. Add your rental car on the first day.

If the vehicle was towed

Don't panic: the City's towed vehicle finder (page in French) locates it by licence plate or address. You can also call 514 868-3737. During the rental, you remain responsible for the vehicle: see our terms and conditions.

Our tips for a worry-free winter

Check the street every evening after a snowfall, keep a snow brush and an ice scraper in the vehicle, and follow the other winter rules, such as mandatory winter tires from December 1 to March 15. For the rest, read our 6 rules for driving in Montréal.

Need a vehicle this winter? U-Lease rents sedans, SUVs and vans in Montréal-Nord, from age 18 and with no credit card required. Book online or call us at 1 (866) 725-2131.