Tire Chain Laws by State

Click on each state name for link to each more information and statutes. The information provided is for general guidelines only.

ALABAMA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.

ALASKA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.

ARIZONA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.

ARKANSAS

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.

CALIFORNIA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. *Signs posted where chains are required

COLORADO

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. *Commercial vehicles traveling on marked roads must carry chains from Sept 1 to May 31

CONNECTICUT

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  Studded Tires & Tire chains are only permitted between November 15 and April 30.  

DELAWARE

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

FLORIDA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

GEORGIA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

HAWAII

Tire chains are not permitted.  

IDAHO

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

ILLINOIS

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

INDIANA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

IOWA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

KANSAS

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

KENTUCKY

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. *May not be used unless road is ice-covered or vehicle has an ice shoe at least 6 in wide. **Limit on diameter & spacing  

LOUISIANA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

MAINE

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

MARYLAND

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. *Required when snow emergency has been declared **Not allowed on vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs  

MASSACHUSETTS

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. *NOVEMBER 1-MAY 1  

MICHIGAN

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

MINNESOTA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

MISSISSIPPI

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

MISSOURI

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

MONTANA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. *Permitted Oct 1-May 1, not mandatory unless signs are posted. **Specific regulations for studded tires.   <h3NEBRASKA Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. *Metal studs only permitted November 1-April 1. School buses, mail carrier vehicles, and emergency vehicles are permitted year round.  

NEVADA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. *Tire Chains are required when posted on signs *Required on all vehicles over 10,000 lbs when requirements in effect. Studded tires permitted between Oct 1-April 30  

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

NEW JERSEY

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

NEW MEXICO

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

NEW YORK

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

NORTH CAROLINA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

NORTH DAKOTA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

OHIO

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. *Only permitted between Nov 1-April 1, except for public safety or school bus  

OKLAHOMA

Tire chains are permitted.  

OREGON

Tire chains are permitted. *Required on vehicles over 10,000 lbs when SNOW ZONE signs are posted.  

PENNSYLVANIA

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. *Permitted between Nov 1-April 15, restrictions on size of tires or studs  

RHODE ISLAND

Tire chain use is permitted.  

SOUTH CAROLINA

Tire chains are permitted.  

SOUTH DAKOTA

Tire chains are permitted.  

TENNESSEE

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. *Permitted Oct 1-April 1, specific regulations on percentage of wire or other material that comes in contact with the road  

TEXAS

Tire chains usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but many not damage the highway surface.  

UTAH

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. *November 1- March 31, Tire Chains or snow tires are REQUIRED if signs are posted.  

VERMONT

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

VIRGINIA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

WASHINGTON

Tire chain and alternative traction device usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. *Tire Chains Required in vehicles where “chains required” signs are posted. Nov 1-Mar 31  

WEST VIRGINIA

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

WISCONSIN

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.  

WYOMING

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface. *Tire chains or snow tires required where signs are posted.  

PUERTO RICO

Tire chains are permitted.  

*The information on this page was accurate on the day it was published. Always consult your individual state pages for the latest updates in legislation.