Tire Chain Laws by State for Truckers

Attention Truckers! As winter gears up, it’s crucial to be informed about Tire Chain Laws in the states you run in. 

Before we get into the laws, here are some key points to remember about tire chains for trucking:

• Tire chains vary by state, don’t assume it’s the same for al the states you run in
• Knowing how to properly install tire chains is something every truck driver should know
• Tire chains are meant for slow travel on winter roads only 

Keep this list of tire chain laws, updated for winter 2025/2026, handy when trucking in winter weather, and stay safe and prepared as conditions change. Remember, safety is the most important thing. 

Alabama

The use of tire chains shall be permitted upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, rain, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid.

Alaska

Use of tire chains is not permitted from May 1 through September 15 when north of 60 North Latitude.

You are not permitted to use chains from April 15 through September 30 when south of 60 North Latitude. (Anchor Point, Homer, Kodiak and cities and towns in southeast Alaska)

If you are operating a vehicle on paved portions of Sterling Highway, you are not permitted to use chains from May 1 through September 15.

You will need to obtain a special permit from the Department of Administration if you would like to use chains in one of these prohibited zones.

Arizona

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Arkansas

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

California

California requires drivers to stop and put on chains when highway signs indicate chains are required. Drivers can be cited by California Highway Patrol and fined if they don’t. Typically, drivers have about a mile between “chains required” signs and the checkpoint to install chains. During winter weather, it takes at least eight chains for the standard tractor-trailer configuration to comply with the regulations.

California’s chain requirements for an 18-wheeler are as follows:

• All four tires on the single drive axle
• The two outside tires on each of the dual drive axles
• One tire on each side of the trailer (front or rear axle or staggered is OK)
• No chains are required on the steering axle

During the winter months, there might be traction chain controls in the mountain areas. When these are established you will see signs posted along the highway. These signs will also include the type of requirement, which will include one of the following:

• R1 – Chains, traction devices or snow tires are required on the drive axle of all vehicles except four wheel/ all wheel drive vehicles.
• R2 – Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four wheel/ all wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels.
• R3 – Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.

Colorado

Commercial vehicles and trucks must have chains. Vehicles without chains can often lose traction, causing traffic delays and sometimes road closures. For the safety of the traveling public, it’s critical to use chains to be in compliance with Colorado’s chain law.

Previously, Colorado required all vehicles with a gross weight rating of at least 16,001 pounds traveling on Interstate 70 between mile marker 133, Dotsero, and mile marker 259, Morrison, to carry chainsfrom Sept. 1 through May 31. But as of Sept. 1, 2024, that requirement also applies to the following areas:

• I-70 west of mile maker 259 (Morrison)
• State Highway 9 from mile maker 63 (Frisco) to mile marker 97 (Fairplay)
• U.S. Route 40 west of mile marker 256 (Empire)
• U.S. Route 50 west of mile marker 225 (Salida)
• U.S. Route 160 west of mile marker 304 (Walsenburg)
• U.S. Route 285 west of mile marker 250 (Morrison)
• U.S. Route 550 (entire route)

The fine is is $50 plus a surcharge of $17 for not carrying chains in these areas during the above time period.  

If you do not put chains on your truck when the law is in effect, the fine is $500 plus a $79 surcharge. If you do not put chains on and you end up blocking the highway, then the fine will increase to $1,000 plus a $156 surcharge.

Colorado has two different types of chain laws:

• Level 1/Code 17 – Single-axle combination commercial vehicles must chain up. Trucks must have all four drive tires in chains. When level 1 is in effect, all other commercial vehicles must have snow tires or chains.
• Level 2/Code 18 – When level 2 is in effect, all four drive tires of single-drive tractors and tandem-drive tractors must chain up. 

Approved devices include:

• Metal chains that consist of two circular metal loops, one on each side of the tire, connected by at least nine evenly spaced loops across the tread. Dual tire chains are acceptable.
• Wheel sanders that carry enough sand to get the vehicle through the restricted area.
• Automatic chains that spin under the drive wheels automatically as traction is lost.
• Textile traction device, a fabric boot that encompasses the tire. The only textile device that has been approved for use on Colorado highways is the AutoSock.

Connecticut

Chains are permitted only from Nov. 15 through April 30. No minimum number of chains are listed it the regulations, and the chains cannot be damaging to the highway’s surface. The fine can be up to $200. 

Delaware

Chains are allowed on highways from October 15 through April 15 “for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid.”

State officials can restrict travel on highways during emergency situations.

The Level II driving restriction allows travel only by emergency vehicles, essential government personnel, health care providers and vehicles carrying food and fuel.

A Level III driving ban limits travel to only emergency vehicles and essential employees, such as snowplow operators. The Level III ban also prohibits retaliation by employers against employees complying with the travel ban.

Georgia

At any time the Georgia Department of Transportation may close or limit access to certain highways during inclement weather. If this occurs, signage will be placed to inform drivers that chains are required in order to proceed.

For commercial vehicles, chains must be placed on the outermost drive tires for driving on a road that has been declared “limited access” due to inclement weather.

Idaho

Officials with the Idaho Department of Transportation can determine that it is unsafe to drive over Lookout Pass and Fourth of July Pass on I-90, and Lolo Pass on Highway 12. If it is deemed unsafe, then you will be required to chain up a minimum of one tire on each drive axle and one axle at or near the rear. Advance notices of chain requirements will be posted by Idaho DOT.

Illinois

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Indiana

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

In addition to tire chains allowed when needed, Indiana also allows “tires in which have been inserted ice grips or tire studs, including retractable tire studs” from Oct. 1 through May 1. Studs cannot be more than 3/32 of an inch beyond the tread of the traction surface and do not damage the road.

Iowa

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Kansas

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Kentucky

There are no specific dates for the use or how many, but there are specifics on the type of chains. 

When 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 inches apart, around the circumference of the tires.

Louisiana

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Maine

Vehicles cannot have tires with metal studs, wires, spikes or other metal protruding from the tire tread from May 1 through Oct. 1. Other than that the use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Maryland

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Maryland regulations also state from Nov. 1 through March 31, owners of vehicles registered in Allegany County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Garrett County or Washington County are exempt from the prohibition of the use of tires … (with) any block, stud, 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.”

Massachusetts

Massachusetts prohibits the use of studded tires and chains between May 1 and Nov. 1 without a permit. Tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Michigan

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.

Minnesota

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Mississippi

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Missouri

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. The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Montana

If the Montana Department of Transportation determines that highways are too dangerous for travel, all “driver wheels” must chain up and they may establish the following recommendations:

• Chains or other approved traction devices are recommended for drive wheels.
• Chains or other approved traction devices are required for drive wheels.
• Chains required for driver wheels.

Not using chains when they’re required will result in a minimum $250 fine, which will increase to $750 when this failure causes a closure of all lanes in one or both directions of a highway.

Nebraska

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Nevada

It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle, whether it is an emergency vehicle or otherwise, without traction devices, tire chains or snow tires upon any street or highway, under icy or snowy conditions, when the highway is marked or posted with signs for the requirement of traction devices, chains or snow tires.

If a highway in this State is marked or posted with signs requiring the use of traction devices, tire chains or snow tires, a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles must be equipped with:

• Traction devices, tire chains or snow tires if it has a gross weight or combined gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
• Tire chains if it has a gross weight or combined gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds.

New Hampshire

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

New Jersey

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

However, no chains can be used at any time on improved highways when highway conditions do not make such use necessary for the “safety of life or property.”

New Mexico

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

New York

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

North Carolina

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

North Dakota

North Dakota allows metal studs within 1/16 inch beyond tread from Oct. 15 through April 15. The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Ohio

Metal studs within 1/16 inch beyond tread from Nov. 1 through April 15. The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Oklahoma

Trucks are not allowed to use tire chains. 

Oregon

Oregon’s law applies to all highways in the state. Signs will tell you when you are required to carry chains and when you are required to use them. You will need to have six chains on hand to comply in Oregon.

Two important things:

• A tandem-drive-axle tractor must have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle (in other words, all four tires of the main axle).
• If both axles are powered, the tractor must have chains on one tire on each side of each drive axle (again, four chains total are required, just not on the inside tires).

Pennsylvania

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during “periods of snow and ice emergency.” 

Rhode Island

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

South Carolina

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

South Dakota

The South Dakota DOT has the authority to restrict travel on roads. Signs will alert truckers to these restrictions. The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Tennessee

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Texas

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Utah

Vehicles with semitrailers or trailers that have a tandem-drive axle towing a trailer must have chains:

• On two tires on each side of the primary drive axle, or if both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, on one tire on each side of each drive axle
• On one tire of the front axle and one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer

Failing to chain up when required can result in a fine of $1,000. That fine doubles if noncompliance impedes the flow of traffic on a highway.

Vermont

Vermont has a traffic committee that will decide if use of chains will be required. The regulation mandates that the “advance notice shall be given to the traveling public through signage and, whenever possible, through public service announcements.” This language also mandates that adequate space be provided to chain up. Vehicles with semitrailers or trailers that have a tandem-drive axle towing a trailer shall have chains:

• On two tires on each side of the primary drive axle, or if both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side of each drive axle; and
• On one tire of the front axle and one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer.

Virginia

The use of tire chains are allowed when required for safety during a time of snow, ice, or another condition that might cause slippery highways.

Washington

West Virginia

The use of chains is allowed for safety when snow, ice, or other condition are present. If chains are used, they must not come in direct contact with the roads surface.

Wisconsin

The use of chains is allowed for safety when snow, ice, or other condition are present. If chains are used, they must not come in direct contact with the roads surface.

Wyoming

Wyoming’s chain law includes two levels of restrictions that can be implemented on specific highway sections when conditions warrant. Wyoming’s chain law includes two levels of restrictions that can be implemented on specific highway sections when conditions warrant.

Level 1: When conditions are hazardous, travel can be restricted to vehicles equipped with tire chains, vehicles with adequate snow tires, or all-wheel-drive vehicles.

Level 2: When conditions are extremely hazardous, travel can be restricted to vehicles equipped with tire chains or all-wheel-drive vehicles equipped with adequate mud and snow or all-weather-rated tires.

Under Level 2, commercial vehicles must have chains on at least two of the drive wheels at opposite ends of the same drive axle.

Do not stop in the driving lane to install or remove chains!

Penalties for violations:

• $250 for violating the travel restriction; or
• $750 for a violation that results in a highway closure.