State rankings
Tire Chain Laws by State
Tire Chain Laws by State: compare 50 US states on 2 metrics.
Tire Chain Law
3 values across 50 entries
Data
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50 states
 Alabama | Allowed when required | — |
 Alaska | Specific guidelines | Not Permitted: May 1 through September 15 when north of 60 North Latitude., April 15 through September 30 when south of 60 North Latitude.+2 |
 Arizona | Allowed when required | — |
 Arkansas | Allowed when required | — |
 California | Specific guidelines | Only when signs ware posted that chains are required., These signs will also include the type of requirement, which will include one of the following:+1 |
 Colorado | Specific guidelines | From September 1 through May 31 vehicles must comply when the Traction Law is in effect., Passenger vehicles must have winter tires (3/16 inch tread depth and snow/M+S/all-weather rating) OR use chains or an approved alternative traction device when required.+1 |
 Connecticut | Specific guidelines | From Nov. 15 through April 30 chains are permitted. |
 Delaware | Allowed when required | Chains are allowed when needed from October 15 to April 15. |
 Florida | No tire chain law | — |
 Georgia | Allowed when required | Tire chains required when posted on signage. |
 Hawaii | No tire chain law | — |
 Idaho | Specific guidelines | Studded tires are allowed October 1 to April 30. Chains are allowed as needed and required on some mountain passes. |
 Illinois | Allowed when required | — |
 Indiana | Allowed when required | — |
 Iowa | Allowed when required | — |
 Kansas | Allowed when required | — |
 Kentucky | Specific guidelines | Not allowed unless the road is ice-covered or vehicle has an ice shoe at least 6 in wide. |
 Louisiana | Allowed when required | — |
 Maine | Allowed when required | Studs, wires and spikes are prohibited from May 1 to October 1. |
 Maryland | Allowed when required | Not allowed on vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs. |
 Massachusetts | Specific guidelines | Permitted from Nov 1-May 1. |
 Michigan | Allowed when required | If chains are used, they must not come in direct contact with the roads surface. |
 Minnesota | Allowed when required | — |
 Mississippi | Allowed when required | — |
 Missouri | Allowed when required | Not permitted April 1 to November 1. |
 Montana | Specific guidelines | Chains may be required when a chain-up sign is posted.| Vehicles are required to carry tire chains October 1 to April 1 when indicated. |
 Nebraska | Allowed when required | — |
 Nevada | Specific guidelines | Required on all vehicles over 10,000 lbs when requirements in effect.| Studded tires permitted between Oct 1-April 30. |
 New Hampshire | No tire chain law | — |
 New Jersey | Allowed when required | — |
 New Mexico | Allowed when required | — |
 New York | Allowed when required | Allowed when required October 16 to April 30. |
 North Carolina | Allowed when required | — |
 North Dakota | Allowed when required | Studded tires allowed between October 15 and April 15. |
 Ohio | Specific guidelines | Studded tires allowed between November 1 and April 15.| Tire chains are not allowed. |
 Oklahoma | Allowed when required | — |
 Oregon | Specific guidelines | Signs indicate when carrying chains is mandatory and when their use is required., Traction tires are permitted in place of chains for many passenger vehicles when conditions allow.+1 |
 Pennsylvania | Allowed when required | — |
 Rhode Island | Allowed when required | — |
 South Carolina | Allowed when required | — |
 South Dakota | Allowed when required | Signs will alert truckers about any restrictions. |
 Tennessee | Allowed when required | — |
 Texas | Allowed when required | — |
 Utah | Specific guidelines | Allowed during October 1 and April 30, when posted or when road conditions warrant it., 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. |
 Vermont | Specific guidelines | Required in certain areas when posted., Vehicles with semi trailers or trailers that have a tandem-drive axle towing a trailer shall have chains:+1 |
 Virginia | Allowed when required | — |
 Washington | Specific guidelines | Vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW must carry at least two extra chains and ensure that their chains consist of hardened metal cross chains, excluding plastic.| From November 1 to April 1, sufficient tire chains are required on specific routes, and authorities may restrict vehicl… |
 West Virginia | Allowed when required | Chains mustn't come in direct contact with the road surface. |
 Wisconsin | Allowed when required | Chains mustn't come in direct contact with the road surface. |
 Wyoming | Specific guidelines | Signs will be posted indicating when chain laws are in effect, and must use adequate snow tires or chains., Wyoming's chain law has two levels of restrictions for hazardous conditions:+1 |
Quick answers
- Where does this tire chain laws by state data come from?
- Rankodex compiles it from World Population Review and the primary sources it cites: Tire Chain Laws by State - NHH Services; Tire Chain Laws - Tire Chains R Us; Tire chains: A state-by-state requirement guide - The Trucker; Tire Chain Laws By State - ATS.