TireChains.com® Tire Chain Laws and Regulations by State

Alabama Code §32‑5‑210 — Tire Equipment; Chains Allowed

Chains and reasonable traction devices are permitted when required for safety due to snow, rain, or conditions that could cause skidding.

Useful Resources: ALDOT Travel & Road Conditions • Dial 511

Alaska 511 — Live Road Conditions

Chains/studs are seasonally restricted on paved roads with latitude‑based dates; emergency orders can extend or modify allowed periods.

Useful Resources: Alaska DOT&PF • Dial 511

Arizona §28‑958 — Tire Equipment; Chains Allowed

Farm machinery with non‑damaging protuberances is permitted; tire chains are allowed when necessary due to snow/ice to prevent skidding.

Useful Resources: Arizona DOT • Dial 511 or 888‑411‑7623

Arkansas §27‑37‑401 — Tire Equipment; Chains Permitted

Chains of reasonable proportion may be used when required for safety due to snow/ice and similar conditions.

Useful Resources: Arkansas DOT • Dial 511

California Vehicle Code §27454 — Traction Devices Allowed

Traction devices (chains) of reasonable size are allowed to prevent skidding on snow/ice or wet surfaces when chain control is posted.

Useful Resources: Caltrans • Caltrans Road Conditions • 511 California

CDOT — Passenger Vehicle Traction & Chain Laws

CDOT can activate Traction/Chain Laws on any state highway; motorists must meet posted traction/chain requirements during storms or hazardous conditions.

Useful Resources: Colorado DOT • Dial 511

Conn. Gen. Stat. §14‑98 — Tires; Seasonal Allowances

Metal nonskid devices may be used from Nov. 15 to Apr. 30; otherwise tires must meet safety standards.

Useful Resources: Connecticut DOT • Dial 511

Delaware §4302 — Tire Equipment (Chains/Studs)

Chains of reasonable proportion allowed when required for safety; studded tires allowed Oct. 15–Apr. 15.

Useful Resources: DelDOT • Dial 511

Florida §316.299 — Rough‑Surfaced Wheels; Road Protection

No damaging projections are allowed on paved/grated roads; traction devices must not injure roadway surfaces. Chains may be used only when conditions require and without damaging pavements.

Useful Resources: Florida Chapter 316 (Traffic Control) • Dial 511

Georgia §32‑6‑5 — Emergency Road Access & Chain Requirements

During declared winter weather emergencies, Georgia may limit access and require chains; commercial vehicles must chain outermost drive tires when posted.

Useful Resources: GA DDS — Tire Chain Requirements • Dial 511

HRS §291‑33 — Projections on Wheels; Chains Permitted

Destructive projections are prohibited; ordinary detachable chains are permitted (and studded tires allowed on specific Mauna Kea roads).

Useful Resources: Hawaii DOT • Dial 808‑536‑6566

Idaho §49‑948 — Tire Equipment; Chains/Studs

Chains are permitted when required for safety; studded tire use is seasonally limited (with specific exceptions).

Useful Resources: Idaho 511 • Dial 511

625 ILCS 5 — Tire Equipment; Chains Permitted

Use of tire chains of reasonable proportion is allowed when required for safety because of snow/ice or similar conditions.

Useful Resources: Illinois DOT • Dial 511

Indiana §9‑19‑18‑3(c) — Chains Permitted

Chains of reasonable proportions are permitted when required for safety because of snow/ice or similar conditions.

Useful Resources: INDOT • Dial 511

Iowa DOT — Services & Traveler Info

Chains/studs guidance is seasonal; motorists should check current restrictions and advisories before travel.

Useful Resources: Iowa DOT • Dial 511

Kansas §8‑1742 — Tire Equipment; Chains Permitted

Chains of reasonable proportions are allowed when required for safety due to snow/ice or other skidding conditions.

Useful Resources: Dial 511

KRS 189.190 — Chains & Lugs; Specs

Where chains are used, cross‑chains must meet thickness/spacing limits; studded tires subject to seasonal rules.

Useful Resources: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet • Dial 511

La. R.S. 32:362 — Tire Equipment; Chains Permitted

Chains of reasonable proportions are allowed when required for safety due to conditions that could cause skidding.

Useful Resources: Dial 511

Maine §1919 — Studded Tire Dates

Studded tires are restricted May 1–Oct 1 (exceptions possible by permit/order). Chains are allowed when conditions require and without damaging pavements.

Useful Resources: MaineDOT • Dial 511

Md. Code §22‑405.2 — Tire Equipment (search)

Chains of reasonable proportions may be used when required for safety because of snow/ice or similar conditions.

Useful Resources: MDOT • Dial 511

MassDOT Snow & Ice FAQ — Studded Tire Dates

Studded tires are allowed Nov 1–Apr 30; chains are permitted when conditions warrant and when they do not damage the roadway.

Useful Resources: MassDOT • Dial 511

MCL 257.710 — Tire Chains Permitted

Chains may be used when required for safety; they must not contact the road surface in a way that damages it.

Useful Resources: MDOT • Dial 511

Minn. Stat. §169.72 — Tire Surface; Chains/Studs

Prohibits damaging projections; allows tire chains of reasonable proportions and seasonal studded tire use per statute.

Useful Resources: MnDOT • Dial 511

Mississippi — Tire/Chain Guidance

Chains of reasonable proportions may be used when required for safety due to snow/ice or similar conditions.

Useful Resources: MDOT Road Info • Dial 511

Missouri §307.171 — Studs/Chains

Studded tires are prohibited Apr 1–Nov 1; chains permitted when conditions require for safety.

Useful Resources: MoDOT • Dial 511

Montana — Tire/Chain Restrictions & Guidance

Chains/traction devices permitted when required for safety; studded tire dates and specs apply (including bus allowances).

Useful Resources: Montana DOT • Dial 511

Nebraska §60‑6,250 — Tires; Chains/Studs

Metal studs allowed Nov 1–Apr 1 (certain vehicles exempt); tire chains permitted for safety due to snow/ice.

Useful Resources: Nebraska DOT • Dial 511

NAC 484D.220/225 — Chain & Traction Device Standards

Defines acceptable construction/materials for chains/traction devices used on Nevada highways; chain controls may be posted seasonally.

Useful Resources: Nevada DOT • Dial 511

NHDOT — Winter Maintenance & Traveler Info

Chains may be used when hazardous weather warrants and without damaging the highway surface; check NHDOT and 511 for active restrictions.

Useful Resources: NHDOT Maintenance • Dial 511

N.J.S.A. 39:3‑73 — Tire‑Chains

Chains of reasonable proportions permitted when roads are slippery; prohibited when conditions don’t make them necessary for safety.

Useful Resources: Dial 511

NMSA 66‑3‑847 — Tire Equipment; Chains/Studs

Chains of reasonable proportion or studded snow tires may be used when required for safety because of snow/ice or similar conditions.

Useful Resources: NMDOT • Dial 511

AAA Digest — Tire Chains Overview

Chains may be used when hazardous weather or emergencies warrant and when they do not damage the highway surface; local/posted controls apply.

Useful Resources: Dial 511

N.C.G.S. §20‑122 — Tire Equipment; Chains/Studs

Chains of reasonable proportions and limited‑projection studs may be used for safety under snow/ice conditions.

Useful Resources: NCDOT • Dial 511

N.D.C.C. §39‑21‑40 — Tire Equipment; Chains/Studs

Chains permitted for safety; studs allowed Oct 15–Apr 15 (school buses year‑round).

Useful Resources: NDDOT • Dial 511

Ohio §5589.081 — Studs Seasonal; Chains

Studded tire use permitted Nov 1–Apr 15; tire chains may be used when snow/ice conditions warrant.

Useful Resources: ODOT • Dial 511

Oklahoma §47‑12‑405 — Tire/Chain Rules

Chains of reasonable proportions permitted for safety; seasonal and vehicle‑capacity limits apply per statute.

Useful Resources: ODOT • Dial 511

ODOT — Chains & Traction Tire Requirements

Chains or traction tires are required on signed segments during storms; failure to comply is a Class C violation.

Useful Resources: ODOT • Dial 511

75 Pa.C.S. §4525 — Tire Equipment & Traction

Chains may be used temporarily during snow/ice emergencies if they conform to departmental regulations.

Useful Resources: PennDOT • 511PA • Dial 511

R.I.G.L. §31‑23‑20 — Protuberances; Chains/Studs

Studs allowed Nov 15–Apr 1; chains of reasonable proportion permitted for safety in slippery conditions.

Useful Resources: Dial 511

S.C. Code §56‑5‑5040 — Tires; Chains/Studs

Chains of reasonable proportions permitted when required for safety due to snow/ice or similar conditions; limited stud allowance.

Useful Resources: SCDOT • Dial 511

SDCL §32‑19‑2 — Cleats/Spikes; Chain Exception

Prohibits damaging protuberances; permits tire chains of reasonable proportions when required for safety.

Useful Resources: Dial 511

Tenn. Code §55‑9‑106 — Studs; Chains

Chains of reasonable proportions are permitted when required for safety because of snow/ice or similar conditions.

Useful Resources: TDOT • Dial 511

Tex. Transp. Code §547.612 — Tires; Chains

Chains/traction devices may be used when conditions warrant, provided they do not injure the highway and are used as required for safety.

Useful Resources: TxDOT • Dial 511

UDOT — Snow Tire & Chain Requirements (Rule R920‑6)

When posted or conditions warrant, vehicles must meet traction/chain rules (e.g., chains on specific axles for heavy vehicles); 4WD with winter tires qualifies in some scenarios.

Useful Resources: UDOT • Dial 511

23 V.S.A. §1006c — Chains/Winter Tires (Trucks/Buses)

Traffic Committee may require chains or winter tires on posted highway segments during winter weather; signage and pull‑off areas provided.

Useful Resources: VTrans • Dial 511

Va. Code §46.2‑1044 — Chains/Studs

Chains are permitted when required for safety; studs permitted with limits (projection and coverage) and seasonal restrictions for certain vehicles.

Useful Resources: VDOT • Dial 511

RCW 46.37.420 — Tires; Chains/ATDs/Studs

Chains/alternative traction devices or studs of approved type may be used when required for safety due to snow/ice or similar conditions; chain control frequently posted on passes.

Useful Resources: WSDOT • Dial 511

W. Va. Code §17C‑15‑37 — Tire Equipment; Chains/Studs

Chains permitted for safety; studs allowed Nov 1–Apr 15 with pressure/spec limits; departmental specs apply.

Useful Resources: WVDOT • Dial 511

Wis. Stat. §347.45(2)(b) — Chains Permitted

Chains of reasonable proportions may be used on any vehicle when required for safety due to snow/ice or skidding conditions.

Useful Resources: WisDOT • Dial 511

Wyoming Chain Law — Official Guidance

During chain law activations, travel may be restricted to vehicles with adequate snow tires, AWD/4WD, or chains; heavier restrictions may require chains regardless of drivetrain.

Useful Resources: WYDOT Winter Travel • Dial 511