Montreal Pothole Survival: How Not to Total Your Car This Spring (2026)

The snow finally melted, terrace season is around the corner and now we’re dealing with potholes. It’s always one thing or another in Montreal when it comes to driving.

If you’ve driven anywhere this week, you know the vibe: the roads look like a giant played a game of Tetris and lost. With thousands of potholes already reported this year, even a trip to the mall can feel like an off-road obstacle course.

Whether you just got your learners license or you’ve been driving for years, here is how to survive pothole season. 

1. Mirror Check Before You Move

When you see a massive pothole, your first instinct is to jerk the wheel to the left. 

Don’t do it. 

Montreal has thousands of bike lanes amongst its busy streets. If you swerve without looking, you might hit a cyclist or another car just to save a tire. If you can’t safely move over, it’s actually better to slow down and hit the pothole than to cause a crash.

2. The "Let Go" Trick 

If you know you’re about to hit a pothole, no matter the size, your natural reaction is to slam on the brakes.

What you should do instead. Slow down as much as you can before you reach the hole. But let go of the brake right before your tire goes in. Slamming the brakes "locks" your car’s suspension. If your tire hits the hole while the brakes are on, the impact is way harder. Letting go lets the tire "roll" through, which can save your car from a broken axle.

3. Puddles are a Trap 

It hasn't rained much lately, but if you see a puddle on an otherwise dry street, stay away. In Montreal, a puddle is usually just a pothole in disguise. It might look like an inch of water, but it could be a foot deep.

4. Be a Legend: Report the Holes 

Don't just yell at the dashboard, get the city to fix it.

• Download the 311 Montréal app.

• Report the potholes. The city has special teams out, and they prioritize the ones with the most reports.

  
  

5. Check Your Tires

Make sure your summer tires have enough tire pressure. Under-inflated tires are way more likely to pop when they hit a sharp edge. Check your tire pressure at the gas station, it takes two minutes and could save you a huge headache.

Stay safe out there, Montreal! The roads are rough, but your driving doesn't have to be. If you want to learn how to handle city traffic like a pro (orange cones and all), come talk to us. We’ll make sure you’re ready for whatever the 514 throws at you.