Tire Chain Laws by State. Reference: https://lacledechain.com, Google.com Click on a state below to view the laws and regulations regarding usage of traction devices. Please visit the state’s DOT website links for Chain Laws that are in effect as well as weather related driving conditions/warnings. *Denotes states that have laws requiring Drivers to carry tire chains either always, or during specific periods. Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California* Colorado* Connecticut Delaware Florida (no chain laws) Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Massachusetts* Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada* New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York* North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon* Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington* West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming* At the bottom of each page you will see a button. You can click on this button to return to this page to choose a different state. Alabama Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. Section 32-5-210 (b) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any other protuberances of any material other than rubber which project beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway and, except also, that it shall be permissible to use tire chains or metal studded or safety spike tires of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, rain or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. Resource Link:: Alabama DOT Website: http://www.dot.state.al.us/Default.html http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/alcode/32/5/9/1/32-5-210 Alaska Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. Sec. 28.35.155 . Operation of vehicle with certain tires prohibited. (a) It is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle with studded tires or tires with chains attached on a paved highway or road from May 1 through September 15, inclusive, north of 60 North Latitude and from April 15 through September 30, inclusive, south of 60 North Latitude, except that at any latitude on a paved portion of the Sterling Highway a person may not operate a motor vehicle with studded tires or tires with chains attached from May 1 through September 15, inclusive. The commissioner of public safety shall by emergency order provide for additional lawful operating periods based on unusual seasonal or weather conditions. An emergency order adopted under this section is not subject to AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act). Upon application, a special individual traction permit may be issued by the Department of Administration allowing the operation of a motor vehicle with studded tires or chains at any time at the discretion of the vehicle owner. The fee for the special individual permit is one-third of the biennial registration fee applicable to that class of vehicle under AS 28.10.421 . The department may provide an appropriate sticker or other device identifying the vehicle to which the permit applies. Resource Link:: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/folioproxy.asp?url=http://wwwjnu01.legis.state.ak.us/cgibin/folioisa.dll/stattx05/query=as+28!2E35!2E155/doc/{@12474} Alaska DOT Website: http://www.dot.state.ak.us/ Arizona Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 28-958. Tire equipment restrictions A. A solid rubber tire on a vehicle shall have rubber on its entire traction surface at least one inch thick above the edge of the flange of the entire periphery. B. A tire on a vehicle that is moved on a highway shall not have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, spike or other protuberance that is made of any material other than rubber and that projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it is permissible to use: 1. Farm machinery with tires having protuberances that will not injure the highway. 2. Tire chains of reasonable proportions on a vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Resource Link:: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/28/00958.htm&Title=28&Docy pe=ARS Arizona DOT Website: http://www.azdot.gov/ Arkansas Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. § 27-37-401 - Only pneumatic rubber tires permitted -- Exceptions -- Special permits. (2) It shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety Resource Link: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/ArkansasCodeLargeFiles/Title%2027%20Transportatio n-Chapter%2037%20Equipment%20Regulations.htm Arkansas DOT Website: http://www.arkansashighways.com/ California Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 27454. A tire on a vehicle upon a highway shall not have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, ridge, bead, or any other protuberance of metal or wood that projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire. This section does not apply to any of the following: a) Tire traction devices of reasonable size used to prevent skidding when upon wet surfaces or when upon snow or ice. Resource Link: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=veh&group=27001-28000&file=27450- 27503 California DOT Website: http://www.dot.ca.gov/ Other useful Sites: California Winter Driving Tips - http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/chcontrl.htm California Chain Requirements - http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/ChainRequire.pdf Colorado Bottom Line: It is best to carry chains at all times due to the possibility of entering a “chain only” section. Winter Tire Tread Requirements for NonCommercial Vehicles The Colorado Chain Law is the popular term for the requirement for use of tire chains or adequate snow tires on mountain highways during heavy snow conditions. The term is somewhat misleading because chains are not always required. There are two levels of the law that may be invoked as follows. Chains or adequate snow tires required This level requires the use of snow tires or traction devices such as cable chains, etc. Snow tires must have the mud and snow (M/S) or all weather rating from the manufacturer on the side wall. Chains Only When this level is in effect, use of conventional, steel-link chains is required. Four-wheel drive vehicles are permitted to operate without tire chains. Studded tires can be used year round in Colorado. When snow tires are required:  Conventional mud and snow tread with (M/S) with or without studs and a minimum tread depth of 1/8".  Tires of the all weather type bearing the mark M/S with a minimum tread depth of 1/8".  Four-wheel drive vehicles (all four wheels engaged) with adequate tires. Adequate tires for four-wheel drive vehicles include those with conventional tread with a minimum tread depth of 1/8" and those listed in 1) or 2) above.  Wavy snow-treads with steel wire protruding.  Any conventional tire with a minimum tread depth of 2/32" when used in conjunction with chains as mentioned in "Chain Only" section. Colorado chain law applies to every state highway, federal highway and interstate throughout the state. When the chain law is in effect, drivers will see signs along the roadway indicating which vehicles should chain-up. In some areas of the state, lighted variable message signs will also alert drivers of the chain-up information. Metal chains must consist of two circular metal loops, one on each side of the tire, connected by not less than nine evenly spaced chains across the tread. Commercial vehicles having four or more drive wheels must chain four wheels. Dual tire chains are acceptable. Resource Link: Colorado DOT Website: Other useful Sites: https://codot.gov https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/ChainTips.pdf Connecticut Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. Sec. 14-98. Tires. Each vehicle operated upon any highway or bridge shall be equipped with tires of rubber, or other elastic substance, approved by the commissioner, and the wheels shall be so constructed that no metal part of the wheel or tire may be in contact with the surface of the road at any time when such vehicle is in motion upon the highway, except such vehicle may be equipped with tires incorporating a metal nonskid device during the period from November fifteenth to April thirtieth, inclusive. Resource Link: http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html (must search section 14-98) Connecticut DOT Website: http://www.ct.gov/dot Delaware Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. § 4302. Projections from periphery of tires; exceptions. No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any other protuberances of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except as otherwise provided in this section. Farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway may be used, and tire chains of reasonable proportions may be used upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. Resource Link: http://delcode.delaware.gov/title21/c043/sc01/index.shtml Delaware DOT Website: http://www.deldot.net/ Georgia Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. Use chains or snow tires if road conditions require extra traction. Always check the manufacturer’s instruction manual for your vehicle, the tires, and the chains before installing them on your vehicle and operating on a roadway. Resource Link: http://www.dds.ga.gov/docs/forms/driversmanual.pdf (page 88) Georgia DOT Website: http://www.dot.state.ga.us/ Hawaii §291-33 - Projections on face of wheels prohibited. There shall not be operated or moved upon any public road, street, or highway within the State, any vehicle, motor vehicle, or other power vehicle the face of the wheels of which are fitted or equipped with flanges, ribs, clamps, cleats, lugs, chains, spikes or other projections, other than rubber blocks, destructive to the road surfaces. This provision applies to all rings or flanges upon guiding or steering wheels of such vehicles, but it shall not be so construed as to prevent (1) the use of ordinary detachable tire or skid chains, or (2) the use of studded snow tires on either the Mauna Kea access road above Hale Pohaku or on any other road within the Mauna Kea Science Reserve leased to the University of Hawaii. Resource Link: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/histatutes/1/17/291/II/291-39 Hawaii DOT Website: http://hawaii.gov/dot Idaho Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 49-948. Restrictions as to tire equipment (3) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, spike, or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except as allowed herein. It shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway, and it shall be permissible to use tire chains. Tires with built-in lugs of tungsten carbide or other suitable material, hereinafter called studs, may be used upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid, that will not unduly damage the highway. Motor vehicles, trailers and semitrailers with tires having built-in studs are prohibited on public highways between the dates of May 1 and September 30, annually, except as provided in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this subsection: Resource Link: http://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title49/T49CH9SECT49-948.htm Idaho DOT Website: http://itd.idaho.gov/ Illinois Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. (625 ILCS 5/) Illinois Vehicle Code. Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to prohibit the use of tire chains of reasonable proportion upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Resource Link: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=062500050HCh.+12+Art.+IV&ActID=18 15&ChapterID=49&SeqStart=129600000&SeqEnd=130300000 Illinois DOT Website: http://www.dot.il.gov/ Indiana Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. IC 9-19-18-3 Protuberances on tires (b) Tire chains of reasonable proportions may be used upon a vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Resource Link: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title9/ar19/ch18.html Indiana DOT Website: http://www.ai.org/dot/ Iowa Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. For traction in snow and ice, snow tires or chains are advisable Resource Link: https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/dlmanual/dlmanual.pdf&sa =U&ei=czXDUde-DaS8iwL96oDwAQ&ved=0CAkQFjAB&client=internal-udscse&usg=AFQjCNH6w54dgPwFmPls_2GPcUOaesqyXg (page 29) Iowa DOT Website: http://www.dot.state.ia.us/ Other Useful Sites: http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/dlmanual/section3.pdf Kansas Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 8-1742. Restrictions as to tire equipment. (2) tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid; Resource Link: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/statute/008_000_0000_chapter/008_017_0000_arti cle/008_017_0042_section/008_017_0042_k/ Kansas DOT Website: http://www.ksdot.org/ Kentucky Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 189.190 Chains and lugs on wheels -- Thickness of solid rubber tires. (2) Where chains are used on rubber-tired vehicles, the cross chains shall be not more than three-fourths (3/4) of an inch in thickness or diameter, and shall be spaced not more than ten (10) inches apart, around the circumference of the tires. Resource Link: http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/KRS/189-00/190.PDF Kentucky DOT Website: http://transportation.ky.gov/ Louisiana Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. RS 32:362 (2) Use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle, when required for safety because of conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. Resource Link: http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=88297 Montana DOT Website: http://www.dotd.state.la.us/ Maine Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. §1919. Studded tires 1. Prohibited May 1st to October 1st. Except as provided in subsections 2 and 3, from the first day of May to the first day of October, a person may not operate a vehicle with tires having metal studs, wires, spikes or other metal protruding from the tire tread. Pneumatic tires that feature embedded blocks, studs, flanges, cleats, spikes or other protuberances that are retractable may be used any time of the year, except that the protuberances may not be engaged or extended from the first day of May to the first day of October. Resource Link: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec1919.html Maine DOT Website: http://www.state.me.us/mdot Maryland Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. §22–405.2. 2) It is permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions on any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid; Resource Link: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmStatutesText.aspx?article=gtr§ion=22- 405.2&ext=html&session=2013RS&tab=subject5 Maryland DOT Website: http://www.mdot.state.md.us/ Massachusetts Bottom Line: Massachusetts prohibits the use of studded tires and chains between May 1 and Nov. 1 without a permit. The law does not specifically mention chains; however, the Massachusetts State Patrol confirmed the regulation applies the same way for chains. 90-16 No person, except a duly authorized person driving an emergency fire vehicle, shall operate a motor vehicle equipped with metal studded tires upon a public way between May the first and November the first; provided, however, the registrar may authorize the use of such tires before November the first, if weather conditions require the use thereof. Whoever violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars. Resource Link: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/90-16.htm Massachusetts DOT Website: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/ Michigan Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. MCL 257.710 of the Michigan Vehicle Code covers the use of tire chains, and states that a person may "use a tire chain of reasonable proportion upon a vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other condition tending to cause a vehicle to skid." If used, the chain must not come in contact with the surface of the roadway. Resource Link: http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-52374-205115--F,00.html Michigan DOT Website: http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/ Minnesota Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 169.72 TIRE SURFACE; METAL STUDS d) It is permissible to use any of the following on highways: (1) implements of husbandry with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway; (2) tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid; and Resource Link: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=169.72 Minnesota DOT Website: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/ Mississippi Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. SEC. 63-7-67. Tires No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or any other protuberances of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire. However, it shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway, and it shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Resource Link: http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/63/007/0067.htm Mississippi DOT Website: http://www.gomdot.com/ Missouri Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. Studded tires, prohibited when--penalty. 307.171. 1. No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any road or highway of this state between the first day of April and the first day of November while the motor vehicle is equipped with tires containing metal or carbide studs. Resource Link: http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/chapters/chap307.htm Missouri DOT Website: http://www.modot.org/ Montana Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 61-10-104 Snow Tire Options: Restrictions as to tire equipment -- particular tires, chains, or traction equipment Because of the many different road and weather conditions throughout our state, MDT along with the local tire industry wants motorists to know there is a variety of snow and studded tire alternatives available so they can choose appropriately. Since different types of winter tires provide varied performance under different road conditions, tire dealers can assist motorists to select the best option for them. Visit your local tire dealer to find out more. A tire on a vehicle moved on a highway may not have on its periphery a block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike, or other protuberance of a material other than rubber that projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it is permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances that will not injure the highway. It is also permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions or pneumatic tires (means a tire in which compressed air or nitrogen is designed to support the load.), studded tires, that may not protrude more than onesixteenth of an inch beyond the tire tread or that are clearly marked by the manufacturer on the sidewall "all season mud and snow", upon a vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. The use of pneumatic tires embedded as provided in this section is permitted only between October 1 and May 31 of each year, except that one of those tires may be used for a spare in case of tire failure. School buses equipped with such embedded pneumatic tires may operate from August 15 through the following June 15. If the department of transportation determines at any time that dangerous or unsafe conditions on a highway require particular tires, tire chains, or traction equipment for vehicles in addition to or beyond the ordinary pneumatic rubber tires, the department may establish the following recommendations or requirements with respect to the use of the equipment for all vehicles using the highway: chains or other approved traction devices recommended for driver wheels; chains or other approved traction devices required for driver wheels; or chains required for driver wheels When the department of transportation determines that chains are required and that no other traction equipment will suffice, the requirement is applicable to tires on driver wheels of one axle, as defined in 61-10-104, of a vehicle, including embedded tires. The signs or traffic control devices may differentiate in recommendations or requirements for four-wheel-drive vehicles in gear. Regular tire chains or cable chains are approved for use. Resource Link: http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/tire_restrictions.shtml Montana DOT Website: http://www.mdt.mt.gov/ Nebraska Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 60-6,250. Tires; requirements; cleats or projections prohibited; exceptions; permissive uses; special permits; exceptions c) It shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other condition tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. Resource Link: http://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=s6006250000 Nebraska DOT Website: http://www.dor.state.ne.us/ Nevada Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. NAC 484D.220 Construction of tire chains and devices which provide traction. (NRS 481.051, 484D.515) 1. Tire chains which may be used on motor vehicles in this State must be made of metal or plastic and consist of two circular loops, one on each side of a tire, which are connected across the tread of the tire by not less than nine evenly spaced chains, cables or straps. 2. For the purposes of this section, “tire chain” includes: (a) A device which provides additional traction to the wheels of a motor vehicle on a slippery surface; and (b) A mechanical device which conforms to the provisions of NRS 484D.530 and is approved by the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles. (Added to NAC by Dep’t of Motor Veh., eff. 1-17-84; A by Dep’t of Motor Veh. & Pub. Safety, 12-1-89)—(Substituted in revision for NAC 484.230) NAC 484D.225 Construction of traction devices. (NRS 481.051, 484D.515) 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, traction devices used on motor vehicles in this State must: (a) Be made of metal, plastic or a combination thereof; and (b) Provide additional traction to the tire through traction arms connected to a central support ring which is attached to the wheel. 2. A traction device that is not in conformance with the provisions of this section may be approved for use by the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles. 3. For the purposes of this section, “traction device” means a device which provides additional traction to the wheels of a motor vehicle on a slippery surface. (Added to NAC by Dep’t of Motor Veh. & Pub. Safety, eff. 12-1-89)—(Substituted in revision for NAC 484.232) Resource Link: http://www.nevadadot.com/safety/winter/chains.aspx http://www.nevadadot.com/uploadedFiles/NDOT/Traveler_Info/Safety/Nevada%20Chain%20R equirements%202012.pdf http://leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-484D.html#NAC484DSec220 Nevada DOT Website: http://www.nevadadot.com/ New Hampshire Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. Resource Link: http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/category/us-motor-laws/new-hampshire/ New Hampshire DOT Website: http://www.nh.gov/dot/ New Jersey Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 39:3-73. Tire-chains Motor vehicle tires may be fitted with tire-chains of reasonable proportions when roads, streets and highways are slippery, because of rain, snow, ice, oil, manner of construction or other reason; provided, however, that no tire-chains shall be used at any time on improved highways when highway conditions do not make such use necessary for the safety of life or property. No person shall use any tire-chains so constructed or installed as to be likely to be thrown so as to endanger any person or property Resource Link: http://law.onecle.com/new-jersey/39-motor-vehicles-and-traffic-regulation/3-73.html New Jersey DOT Website: http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/ New Mexico Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 66-3-847 C. No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery a block, flange, cleat or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber that projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire. However, it shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances that will not injure the highway and tire chains of reasonable proportions or snow tires with metal studs designed to increase traction on ice or snow upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Resource Link: http://public.nmcompcomm.us/nmpublic/gateway.dll/?f=templates&fn=default.htm New Mexico DOT Website: http://dot.state.nm.us/ New York Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. .Resource Link: http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/tire-chains/ New York DOT Website: http://www.nysdot.gov/ North Carolina Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. § 20-122. Restrictions as to tire equipment (c) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway and except, also, that it shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. It shall be permissible to use upon any vehicle for increased safety, regular and snow tires with studs which project beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire not more than one sixteenth of an inch when compressed. Resource Link: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20 -122.html North Carolina DOT Website: http://www.ncdot.gov/ North Dakota Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 39-21-40. Restrictions as to tire equipment. 3. No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway may have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it is permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway, and except also that it is permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions. It is also permissible to use, from October fifteenth to April fifteenth, pneumatic tires which have metal studs which do not project more than one-sixteenth of an inch [1.59 millimeters] beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it is permissible to use such tires on schoolbuses at any time during the year, pneumatic tires which have metal studs which do not project more than one-sixteenth of an inch [1.59 millimeters] beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it is permissible to use such tires on schoolbuses at any time during the year. Resource Link: http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t39c21.pdf?20130501160002 North Dakota DOT Website: http://www.dot.nd.gov/ Ohio Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 5589.081 Studded tires - prohibited acts. (A) For purposes of this section, "studded tire" means any tire designed for use on a vehicle and equipped with metal studs or studs of wear-resisting material that project beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire; and "motor vehicle," "street or highway," "public safety vehicle," and "school bus" have the same meanings as given those terms in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code. (B) (1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, no person shall operate any motor vehicle, other than a public safety vehicle or school bus, that is equipped with studded tires on any street or highway in this state, except during the period extending from the first day of November of each year through the fifteenth day of April of the succeeding year. (2) A person may operate a motor vehicle that is equipped with retractable studded tires with the studs retracted at any time of the year, but shall operate the motor vehicle with the studs extended only as provided in division (B)(1) of this section. (C) This section does not apply to the use of tire chains when there is snow or ice on the streets or highways where such chains are being used, or the immediate vicinity thereof. Resource Link: http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5589 Ohio DOT Website: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/ Oklahoma Bottom Line: Tire Chains are Permitted §47-12-405. Tires and wheels - Peripheral equipment - Unsafe operating condition. except that it shall be permissible: a. to use farm tractors or implements of husbandry with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway, b. to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid, or 2. The exceptions permitted in paragraph 1 of this subsection shall be subject to the following restrictions: a. the use of such tires or tire chains shall be limited to vehicles with rated capacities up to and including two (2) tons, b. any tire so equipped shall not be used on a public highway earlier than November 1 of each year or later than April 1 of the following year, and c. copies of this subsection shall be posted in all places at which tires or tire chains are sold, and a printed or written warning on the time limitation for the use of such tires or tire chains shall be furnished to each buyer, purchaser, or user by the seller of such studded tires or tire chains. Resource Link: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/os/os%5F47%2D12%2D405.rtf Oklahoma DOT Website: http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/ Oregon Bottom Line: Tire Chains are Permitted 815.140 Failure to use vehicle traction tires or chains; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to use vehicle traction tires or chains if the person drives or moves or owns and causes or knowingly permits to be driven or moved any motor vehicle or trailer on any highway if the highway is posted showing conditions that require vehicle traction tires or chains and the vehicle is not equipped with vehicle traction tires or chains that are required for the posted conditions. (2) Traction tires or chains that are referred to in this section are those established by rule under the authority granted under ORS 815.045. (3) This section does not apply to vehicles exempted from this section under ORS 815.145. (4) This section only applies to sections of highway on which a road authority requires the use of traction tires or chains and on which signs requiring the use of traction tires or chains have been posted as provided in ORS 815.045. (5) A court shall not find a person to be in violation of the offense described under this section if the court determines that the conditions of the highway at the time the person was cited did not require posting under rules adopted under ORS 815.045. The defense under this subsection may be affirmatively asserted by any person cited for violation of the offense described in this section. (6) The offense described in this section, failure to use vehicle traction tires or chains, is a Class C traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §474; 1995 c.383 §119; 1997 c.493 §2] Resource Link: Oregon DOT Website: http://www.oregon.gov/odot/ http://www.oregon.gov/odot/comm/pages/winterdriving.aspx#Chains_and_traction_tires __________________________________________________________________ Pennsylvania Bottom Line: Tire chains are permitted, though PennDOT has the authority to make regulations to restrict tire chain use to temporarily periods of a snow and ice emergency § 4525. Tire equipment and traction surfaces. (d) Tire chains.--Tire chains may be temporarily used on vehicles during periods of snow and ice emergency if they are in conformance with regulations promulgated by the department. Resource Link: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/vehicle_code/chapter45.pdf Pennsylvania DOT Website: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/ Rhode Island Bottom Line: Tire Chain use is permitted § 31-23-20 Protuberances on tires (3) It shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Resource Link: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE31/31-23/31-23-20.HTM Rhode Island DOT Website: http://www.dot.state.ri.us/ South Carolina Bottom Line: Tire Chains are permitted Section 56-5-5040. Tires. Every motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer operated upon the highways shall be equipped with tires of sufficient size and in sufficient number to distribute the wheel loads on the road surface so as to avoid damage to the highway, and all such tires shall be in a safe operating condition. Every solid rubber tire on a vehicle shall have rubber on its entire traction surface at least one inch thick above the edge of the flange of the entire periphery. No person shall operate or move on any highway any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer having any metal tire in contact with the roadway. No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber (or other resilient material) which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway and except also that it shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety, because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. It shall also be permissible to use upon any vehicle for increased safety, regular and snow tires with studs which project beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire not more than one sixteenth of an inch when compressed. Resource Link: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c005.php South Carolina DOT Website: http://www.dot.state.sc.us/ South Dakota Bottom Line: Tire Chains are permitted 32-19-2. Cleated or spiked rolling surfaces prohibited--Farm machinery excepted--Tire chains excepted-- Violation as petty offense. No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway may have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike, or any other protuberances of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire except that it shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway and except also that it shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. A violation of this section is a petty offense. Resource Link: http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=32-19-2 South Dakota DOT Website: http://www.sddot.com/ Tennessee Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 55-9-106. Studded tires. (d) It is permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions on any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other condition tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Resource Link: http://statutes.laws.com/tennessee/title-55/chapter-9/part-1/55-9-106 Tennessee DOT Website: http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/ Texas Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. Sec. 547.612. RESTRICTIONS ON USE AND SALE OF TIRES. (a) A solid rubber tire used on a vehicle must have rubber on the traction surface that extends above the edge of the flange of the periphery. (b) A person may not operate or move a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that has a metal tire in contact with the roadway, unless: (1) the vehicle is a farm wagon or farm trailer that has a gross weight of less than 5,000 pounds; and (2) the owner is transporting farm products to market, for processing, or from farm to farm. (c) A tire used on a moving vehicle may not have on its periphery a block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or other protuberance of a material other than rubber that projects beyond the tread of the traction surface, unless the protuberance: (1) does not injure the highway; or (2) is a tire chain of reasonable proportion that is used as required for safety because of a condition that might cause the vehicle to skid. Resource Link: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.547.htm Texas DOT Website: http://www.dot.state.tx.us/ Utah Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. R920-6-1 (3) When any designated highway is so restricted no vehicle shall be allowed or permitted the use of the highway, during the period between October 1 and April 30, or when conditions warrant due to adverse, or hazardous weather or roadway conditions, as determined by the Utah Department of Transportation, unless: (a) said vehicle is equipped with either: (i) steel link chains or have chains in possession; (ii) mounted snow tires; (tires with an M/S designation with or without studs); (iii) elastomeric tire chains, designed for use with radial tires; or (iv) four-wheel drive vehicles with a minimum of two mounted snow tires. (4) Radial tires without snow tread do not meet the requirements. (5) An operator of a commercial vehicle with four or more drive wheels, other than a bus, shall affix tire chains to at least four of the drive wheel tires. (6) An operator of a bus or recreational vehicle shall affix tire chains to at least two of the drive wheel tires. Resource Link: http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r920/r920-006.htm Utah DOT Website: http://www.udot.utah.gov/ Vermont Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. § 1006c. Trucks and buses; chains and tire requirements (a) The traffic committee may require the use of tire chains or winter tires on specified portions of state highways during periods of winter weather for motor coaches, truck-tractor-semitrailer combinations, and truck-tractor-trailer combinations. (b) When tire chains or winter tires are required, advance notice shall be given to the traveling public through signage and, whenever possible, through public service announcements. In areas where tire chains or winter tires are required, there shall be an adequate area for vehicles to pull off the traveled way to affix any chains that might be required. Resource Link: Vermont DOT Website: http://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/23/013/01006c http://vtrans.vermont.gov Virginia Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. § 46.2-1044. Cleats, etc., on tires; chains; tires with studs. No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, spike, or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire. It shall be permissible, however, to use on the highways farm machinery having protuberances which will not injure the highway and to use tire chains of reasonable proportions when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. It shall also be permissible to use on any vehicle whose gross weight does not exceed 10,000 pounds tires with studs which project no more than one-sixteenth of an inch beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire when compressed if the studs cover no more than three percent of the traction surface of the tire. Resource Link: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-1044 Virginia DOT Website: http://www.virginiadot.org/ Washington Bottom Line: Tire chain (and alternative traction devices, effective June 7, 2012) usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. RCW 46.37.420 (2) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway may have on its periphery any block, flange, cleat, or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it is permissible to use farm machinery equipped with pneumatic tires or solid rubber tracks having protuberances that will not injure the highway, and except also that it is permissible to use tire chains, alternative traction devices, or metal studs imbedded within the tire of reasonable proportions and of a type conforming to rules adopted by the state patrol, upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Resource Link: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=204-24&full=true Washington DOT Website: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ West Virginia Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. §17C-15-37. Tire equipment restrictions; rules and regulations as to certain tires. (a) Every solid rubber tire on a vehicle shall have rubber on its entire traction surface at least one inch thick above the edge of the flange of the entire periphery. (b) No person shall operate or move on any highway any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer having any metal tire in contact with the roadway. (c) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that (1) it shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway, (2) it shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid, and (3) it shall be permissible to use studded tires during the period from November first of each year until April fifteenth of the following year: Provided, That in the interest of highway maintenance, no vehicle moved on a highway, other than school buses, shall be equipped with studded tires which are operational with a recommended air pressure greater than forty pounds per square inch. (d) No studded tires or chains shall be sold or used within the state of West Virginia which do not meet the specifications established by the rules and regulations which the commissioner of highways shall promulgate, but the commissioner may not by those rules and regulations prohibit the use of studded tires or chains within the state. Resource Link: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/WVCODE/Code.cfm?chap=17c&art=15#15 West Virginia DOT Website: http://www.transportation.wv.gov/ Wisconsin Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. 347.45(2)(b) (b) Tire chains of reasonable proportions may be used on any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. Resource Link: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/347/III/45 Wisconsin DOT Website: http://www.dot.state.wi.us/ Wyoming Bottom Line: Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. Wyoming Chain Law 31-5-956(e) Effective 07-01-09 31-5-956 (e) Tires, restriction of travel under hazardous conditions; penalties When the chain law is in effect due to snow, ice or other conditions, travel on a highway may be restricted to use only by motor vehicles utilizing adequate snow tires or tire chains, motor vehicles that are all-wheel drive or necessary emergency vehicles, including snow plows. In extremely hazardous conditions, travel may be resticted to use only by necessary emergency vehicles, including snow plows, and those vehicles utilizing tire chains or to all-wheel drive vehicles utilizing adequate snow tires with a mud and snow or all-weather rating from the manufacturer having a tread of sufficient abrasive or skid-resistant design or composition and depth to provide adequate traction under existing driving conditions. The prohibition or restriction of use shall be effective when signs, including temporary or electronic signs, giving notice thereof are erected upon that protion of the highway, and it shall be unlawful to proceed in violation of the notice. The operator of a commercial vehicle shall affix tire chains to at least two (2) of the drive wheels of the vehicle at opposite ends of the same drive axle when the vehicle is required to utilize tire chains under this subsection...... Resource Link: http://www.whp.dot.state.wy.us/home/commercial_carriers/road-andtravel/contentA/mainContent_297.html Wyoming DOT Website: http://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/travel/winter/chain_law.html (chain law levels) http://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/travel/winter.html (dot website/travel information)