How to drive on icy roads: 18 steps to get there safely

Reviewed by Sonia Abu Bakar✓, MSc Botany

By Abu Bakar Saadat8 min readPublisher: Saadat Rafiq

Last updated: 9 November 2026References

Illustration

On this page 9 sections

In short

Stopping distances on ice can be ten times longer than on a dry road, says the Highway Code. Here's how to get your car ready, drive gently, spot black ice, steer out of a skid and get unstuck, step by step.

At a glance

Stopping: Up to ten times longer than on dry roads (Highway Code)
Windows: You must clear all snow and ice from every window
Tyres: At least 1.6mm of tread, the legal minimum for cars
Skids: Ease off, then steer into the skid
Snowdrift: Stay with the car, call for help, engine off (RoSPA)
Checked: November 2026

It's 6.20am on a steep terraced street, and the whole road looks like a frosted cake. Funmi has a 7am shift. Her car is a white lump. Callum is hunting for the de-icer he swore he bought last year, and Tayo wants to know if he can "skate" to school. (He can't, and there's a separate guide for that: how to walk on ice without falling.)

This guide is about the drive. The Highway Code warns that in icy and snowy weather your stopping distance can be ten times what it is on a dry road. Here are 18 steps, from the night before to getting unstuck, using the Highway Code and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). The rules quoted are for Great Britain. This is general information, not legal advice.

Before you set off

1. Check the forecast, then ask if you really need to go

Illustration of a woman in a navy padded coat frowning at her phone in a dim kitchen at dawn, thick fern-like frost on the window behind her — Illustration

The Highway Code tells drivers to check the local forecast for ice and snow warnings in winter, and not to drive in those conditions unless the journey is essential. If it is, allow more time and take great care.

2. Check your winter kit is in the boot

Illustration of a bearded man in a beanie kneeling at the open boot of a small grey hatchback on a frosty driveway, a shovel, blanket, flask, torch and jump leads packed inside — Illustration

The Highway Code's list: de-icer and an ice scraper, a torch, warm clothing and boots, a first aid kit, jump leads, a shovel, a warm drink and emergency food. RoSPA adds a fully charged phone. Callum found the de-icer. It had been in the boot all along.

3. Check your tyres

Illustration of a bearded man crouching by a car's front tyre at dawn, checking the tread with a coin while holding a torch — Illustration

Cars must have at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre and all the way round, and tyres must be at the pressure in your handbook, the Highway Code says. RoSPA adds that more than 3mm gives much shorter braking distances in the wet, and reminds you to check the spare too. A cheap tread-depth gauge gives you an exact reading.

4. Clean the lights and fill the screen wash

Illustration of a woman in a navy coat wiping frost off a car headlight with a cloth on a frosty terraced street at dawn — Illustration

Your lights must be clean, the Highway Code says. RoSPA's winter checks add that lights should be working, the battery charged, the wipers and windows clean and the washer bottle filled with screen wash mixed to the right strength so it doesn't freeze.

5. Clear every window and the roof (this one is the law)

Illustration of a woman pushing a slab of snow off a grey hatchback's roof with a long snow brush, every window of the car already clear — Illustration

Under the Highway Code you must be able to see, so you must clear all snow and ice from all your windows. Your number plates must be clearly visible and legible. It also says to clear the mirrors and remove any snow that might fall off into the path of other road users, which includes the slab on the roof.

Try saying (to yourself, at 6.25am): "Five more minutes of scraping beats one minute of not seeing."

6. Demist properly before you pull away

Illustration of a woman in the driver's seat of a parked car turning the heater knob while warm air clears the mist from the inside of the windscreen — Illustration

The Highway Code says to demist the windows thoroughly. RoSPA's tip: make sure the heater is blowing warm air before you set off, because it keeps the windscreen clear once you're moving. Stay with the car while it warms up.

7. Listen to the travel news, and tell someone your route

Illustration of a bearded man in a beanie pulling on his coat in a hallway beside a small radio and car keys, frost on the front door glass — Illustration

Check your planned route is clear and that no more snow is forecast, the Highway Code says. RoSPA suggests listening to local travel bulletins for the areas you'll drive through, telling someone where you're going and when you expect to arrive, and keeping the fuel tank near full.

Behind the wheel

8. Leave a gap that feels ridiculous

Illustration of the view from the driver's seat of a right-hand-drive car, gloved hands on the wheel, a long empty icy lane between frosted hedges and one car far ahead — Illustration

Keep well back from the road user in front, because stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads, the Highway Code warns. RoSPA puts braking distances on icy roads at up to ten times normal. If the gap feels silly, it's probably about right.

9. Do everything gently

Illustration of a woman driving slowly along a snowy terraced street at dawn, calm, both gloved hands resting lightly on the wheel — Illustration

Avoid sudden actions on ice, the Highway Code says: drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible, and accelerate and brake very gently. RoSPA's key tips add smooth steering and no harsh braking. Drive as if there's a full cup of tea on the dashboard.

10. Brake before the bend, not in it

Illustration of a grey hatchback seen from behind with its brake lights on, slowing on a straight frosty country road just before a gentle bend — Illustration

You're most likely to lose control on bends, the Highway Code says. Brake progressively on the straight before you reach the bend, then steer smoothly round it. RoSPA also says to slow down well before junctions.

11. Expect ice under bridges and in shade

Illustration of a grey hatchback approaching a low stone bridge slowly, a glassy patch of ice in the shadow under the arch while the road before it looks dry — Illustration

RoSPA warns that roads can look clear while isolated icy patches remain, especially under bridges, in shaded areas and on untreated roads. The Highway Code adds that conditions can change over short distances, so drive with care even on roads that have been gritted.

12. Know the signs of black ice

Illustration of the driver's view down a frosty terraced street in low winter sun, a glassy patch of black ice lying in the shadow of the houses, gloved hands resting lightly on the wheel — Illustration

Two clues from the Highway Code: if the steering suddenly feels unresponsive, you may be on ice and losing grip; and on ice your tyres make almost no noise. If the road goes quiet and light under your hands, don't brake hard or swing the wheel. Ease off and keep the steering straight and gentle.

13. Stay well back from gritters

Illustration of a grey hatchback seen from behind on a snowy dual carriageway at dusk, keeping well back from an orange gritter spreading salt ahead — Illustration

Take care when overtaking vehicles spreading salt or other de-icer, the Highway Code says, particularly on a motorbike or bicycle. Hanging back also keeps salt spray off your windscreen.

14. Never overtake a snowplough on an uncleared lane

Illustration of an orange snowplough on a snowy country road, its angled blade throwing snow aside, with a grey hatchback following far behind in the same lane rather than overtaking — Illustration

Snowploughs can throw snow out on both sides, the Highway Code warns. Don't overtake one unless the lane you intend to use has been cleared.

15. If the car skids, ease off and steer into it

Illustration of a grey hatchback seen from above sliding wide on a frosty bend, a curved tyre trail behind it — Illustration

Skids are usually caused by braking, accelerating or steering too harshly, or by driving too fast for the conditions, the Highway Code says. Remove the cause: release the brake pedal fully or ease off the accelerator. Then turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid. If the back of the car slides to the right, steer right; if it slides left, steer left.

16. In an emergency stop, brake firmly and hold it

Illustration of a woman in a right-hand-drive car with both gloved hands on the wheel, a fox standing in the middle of a snowy tree-lined lane well ahead — Illustration

If your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS), the Highway Code says to follow your handbook, but in an emergency brake firmly and don't release the pressure until you've slowed down. ABS should let you keep steering, but don't assume it will stop you in a shorter distance. On ice, the real answer is the gap from step 8.

If it goes wrong

17. Stuck? Rock gently, don't spin

Illustration of a car with one front wheel sunk in roadside snow, a woman calm at the wheel and a bearded man standing clear by the rear of the car making a gentle rocking gesture — Illustration

Spinning the wheels usually makes the rut worse, RoSPA says. Instead, rock the car gently backwards and forwards in the highest gear you can. If that doesn't work, get the shovel out or ask someone for a push, keeping everyone clear of the wheels.

18. In a snowdrift, stay with the car

Illustration of a woman waiting in a car stuck in a snowdrift, wrapped in a blanket with a hot drink from a flask, phoning for help while the hazard lights flash — Illustration

If you're trapped in a snowdrift, RoSPA says to stay with your vehicle, call your breakdown service or the emergency services, and let help come to you. Don't run the engine to keep warm. Use the blanket, warm clothes and flask from step 2 instead.

Skids and brakes at a glance

Situation	Do this	Source
Back of the car slides right	Release the brake or ease off the accelerator, then steer right	Highway Code rule 119
Back of the car slides left	Release the brake or ease off the accelerator, then steer left	Highway Code rule 119
Emergency stop, car has ABS	Brake firmly and keep the pressure on until you've slowed	Highway Code rule 120
Steering feels light or unresponsive	You may be on ice: no sudden actions	Highway Code rule 231
Wheels spinning in snow	Rock gently in the highest practical gear	RoSPA

Icy-road rules at a glance

What	The rule	Source
Windows	You must clear all snow and ice from all windows	Highway Code rule 229
Lights and plates	Lights must be clean; number plates clearly visible and legible	Highway Code rule 229
Tyre tread (cars)	At least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters	Highway Code annex 6
Stopping distance on ice	Can be up to ten times greater than on dry roads	Highway Code rule 230; RoSPA
Driving style	Slow, highest gear possible, very gentle acceleration and braking	Highway Code rule 231
Bends	Brake on the straight before the bend	Highway Code rule 231
Hidden ice	Under bridges, in shade, on untreated roads	RoSPA
Snowploughs	Don't overtake unless your lane has been cleared	Highway Code rule 230
Snowdrift	Stay with the car, call for help, don't run the engine to keep warm	RoSPA

Source: GOV.UK, The Highway Code, rules 119 to 120, 228 to 231 and annex 6 (read 9 November 2026); RoSPA, Winter driving safety and Road safety factsheet: Winter driving tips (read 9 November 2026).

Icy-morning checklist

I've checked the forecast and decided the journey is essential.
The kit is in the boot and my phone is charged.
Tyres, lights and screen wash are checked.
Every window, mirror, light and plate is clear, and the roof snow is off.
Someone knows my route and when I'll arrive.
I'm leaving a huge gap and doing everything gently.

If someone is hurt

If anyone is injured in a crash, or you're stuck and in danger, call 999.
If you're stranded but safe, stay with the car and call your breakdown service.

Your turn: what's the one thing you always do before driving on an icy morning? Tell us in the comments. Someone scraping a peephole right now needs it.

Questions readers ask

How much longer does it take to stop on ice?

The Highway Code says stopping distances can be ten times greater in icy and snowy weather than on dry roads, so leave a far bigger gap than usual to the vehicle in front.

What do I do if my car skids on ice?

The Highway Code says to remove the cause: release the brake pedal fully or ease off the accelerator, then steer in the direction of the skid. If the back of the car slides to the right, steer right.

Should I pump the brakes on ice if my car has ABS?

No. The Highway Code says that in an emergency in a car with anti-lock brakes you should brake firmly and keep the pressure on until you have slowed down. ABS helps you keep steering, but it does not mean you will stop in a shorter distance.

Is it illegal to drive with a frosty windscreen?

Yes. Under the Highway Code you must be able to see, so you must clear all snow and ice from all your windows, and your lights must be clean and number plates legible before you set off.

What should I do if I get stuck in a snowdrift?

RoSPA says stay with your vehicle, call your breakdown service or the emergency services and wait for help. Do not run the engine to keep warm.

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Sources

We use primary, official and specialist sources appropriate to the topic.

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