Alberta
No regulations require or prohibit the use of tire chains or studded tires. However, if you choose to use them and damage the roadway, Alberta makes a point to let you know you could be cited for the damage.
British Columbia
Chains and studded tires are fine when needed. In fact, you can be fined for not having proper tires. The Ministry of Transportation will have signs posted: “Must Carry Tire Chains, Oct.1-April 30.” In fact, the government website states “Commercial drivers who travel outside the Greater Vancouver and Greater Victoria areas in the winter are required to carry chains or other acceptable traction devices.”
Any vehicle found crossing that point without proper tires is subject to a fine. Truckers only need to carry, not install, chains at this point.
However, when encountering a sign or flashing amber lights with a message that indicates vehicles over a certain posted gross vehicle weight must use chains, then the chains must be installed. Chains on a typical tractor-trailer combination must be on all four tires of the main drive axle. There is no chain requirement on the trailer.
Manitoba
No regulations require or prohibit the use of tire chains. However, much like the boilerplate language in many states in the U.S., you can use chains when needed “for safety.”
New Brunswick
It is permissible to use tire chains and studded tires in cases of “exceptional weather conditions.” Studded snow tires are permissible at any time except from May 1 to Oct. 15.
Newfoundland and Labrador
According to provincial regulations, “a person shall not operate a motor vehicle on a highway when there is snow or ice on the surface of the highway unless” snow tires or tire chains are fitted on the drive axle.
Northwest Territories
Essentially, tire chains are allowed during icy or snow road conditions.
Nova Scotia
“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.”
Nunavut
Drivers can use tire chains in Nunavut as needed.
Ontario
Ontario is a bit trickier when it comes to studded tires. To start, they are only allowed from Sept. 1 through May 31. In order to use studded tires, the driver must be a resident of Northern Ontario (north of Parry Sound and Nipissing districts), own a business in Northern Ontario, or have road authority having jurisdiction and control of a highway in Northern Ontario. Non-Ontario residents may use studded tires if the vehicle is in Ontario for no more than 30 days.
From there, Ontario has a list of regulations regarding size and placement of the studs. Essentially, studded tires are OK in Northern Ontario. A $1,000 fine can be given for using studded tires in Southern Ontario.
Prince Edward Island
Tire chains are permissible as long as they do not “injure” the highway.
Quebec
Chains may only be used by emergency vehicles, farm tractors or any road vehicle used for snow removal or winter maintenance from Oct. 15 to May 1. Studded tires are acceptable only on passenger vehicles from Oct. 15 to May 1. There are no regulations that specifically mention heavy trucks and winter tires. Per a conversation with a representative from the Ministry of Transportation, chains and studs are prohibited on heavy trucks.
Saskatchewan
No regulations for winter tires. Studded tires and chains are allowed.
Yukon
No regulations for winter tires. Studded tires and chains are permitted.
Alaska
When you can’t use chains depends on where you are in the state:
- No chains from April 15 to Sept. 30 below 60 north latitude.
- No chains from May 1 to Sept. 15 above 60 north latitude.
There is one exception. They are not allowed on the paved portions of the Sterling Highway from May 1 through Sept. 15. The commissioner of public safety shall by emergency order provide for additional lawful operating periods based on unusual seasonal or weather conditions.
California
California does not require trucks to carry chains statewide during any specified time period. When the weather hits, though, it takes at least eight chains for a standard tractor-trailer configuration to comply with the regulations.
Chains or cables?
Conventional tire chains and cable chains, as well as other less-conventional devices, such as Spikes-Spiders winter traction devices, are permitted. Trucks with cable-type chains are legal but may be restricted at times because of severe conditions, which can happen commonly in the higher elevations, such as Donner Pass.
California is OK with automatic chaining systems. However, if you have automatic chains, you may still be required to add additional “traditional” chains to fully comply with the placement requirements.
Placement
California has updated its website regarding chain requirements for an 18-wheeler with the following:
- All four tires on the main (usually front) drive axle.
- The two outside tires on the other (usually rear) drive axle.
- One tire on each side of the trailer (front or rear axle or staggered is OK).
- No chains are required on the steering axle.
Route specific
Chains are most often required in the higher mountain passes of Northern California, such as:
- Interstate 5 north of Redding.
- Interstate 80 over Donner Pass between Sacramento and Reno.
- S. Highway 50 over Echo Summit between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento.
Chains are also sometimes required on these roads:
- State Route 58 near Tehachapi between Bakersfield and Mojave.
- Interstate 15 over Cajon Pass between Victorville and San Bernardino.
- Interstate 5 over Tejon Pass between Los Angeles and Bakersfield.
However, snow can fall unseasonably at higher elevations at many locations within California. Chains may be required at any time at these higher elevations when conditions warrant.
Colorado
Colorado’s chain law applies to every state, federal and interstate highway throughout the state. The chain law is in effect when drivers are notified by roadside signs. Drivers also may call 511. Truckers will need chains for the four tires of the drive axle to be in compliance when the law is in effect. There is no requirement to carry extra chains or cables.
Truckers traveling specifically on I-70 between mile marker 133, Dotsero, and mile marker 259, Morrison, must carry sufficient chains to be in compliance from Sept. 1 through May 31. The state provides about two dozen chain-up locations along the I-70 corridor. If you get busted without chains on this stretch of road, you will be fined $50 plus a $17 surcharge.
If you violate Colorado’s chain law, you’d better be ready to pay. You can be fined $500, plus a $79 surcharge, for not putting on chains when required. If you block the roadway because you didn’t chain up when the law was in effect, you can be dinged with a $1,000 fine plus a $157 surcharge.
There are two levels of the Colorado chain law:
Level 1/Code 17 – Single-drive-axle, combination commercial vehicles must chain up all four drive tires. Cables are not allowed in this instance. All other commercial vehicles must have either snow tires or chains to proceed.
Level 2/Code 18 – Chains are required for all commercial vehicles. Again, all four tires of single-drive tractors must be chained. For dual-drive-axle tractors, you’re only required to chain four drive tires. Outside tires of drive axles must have chains. Inside tires may have cables.
Chains or cables?
The short answer is that you have a lot of options in Colorado. The following are the approved devices, along with any design specifications and/or any restrictions on the use of the devices:
- Metal chains must 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 must 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.
Cables are allowed in only two instances: If they are made with steel crossmember rollers of 0.415 inches or greater in diameter (and even those can’t be used on single-drive-axle tractors) or they can be used on tires when chains are not already required.
The Colorado regulations give the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Highway Patrol the authority to dictate when chain laws go into effect. The regulations only address design and placement.
Wait it out in Colorado?
For those of you who really don’t want to chain up or conditions have made roads impassable, Colorado has added information about emergency parking on I-70.
When things get really bad, the state may open up emergency parking east of mile marker 133.
“There is no truck parking east of milepost 133 or in the Vail Valley. Trucks waiting out a chain law or Vail Pass closure should not proceed past Dotsero – exit 133,” the Colorado State Patrol’s website states. “If you have already passed milepost 133, you will need to chain up, if required. There is no long-term parking until you reach Denver. If you are traveling westbound, you will need to find parking in the metro Denver area before heading up the first grade near Morrison.”
Connecticut
Cables and chains are allowed only from Nov. 15 through April 30. No minimum number of chains is outlined in the regulations. Violations will start with a warning, but all subsequent offenses will result in a fine not more than $200.
Delaware
Here’s another state that allows the use of tire chains “for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid.” The use of studded tires on all motor vehicles using the highways is allowed from Oct. 15 to April 15.
State officials can restrict travel on highways during emergency situations. Officials have three levels of bans to choose from.
Level I ban encourages extreme caution when traveling roadways and advises that nonessential travel be avoided.
Level II ban allows travel only by emergency vehicles, essential government personnel, health care providers, and vehicles carrying food and fuel.
Level III ban restricts 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.
Florida
What’s in the state statutes? Nothing. Zip. Nada. Probably won’t need them in the Sunshine State anyway.
Georgia
As with most states that rarely encounter snow and ice, Georgia will allow the use of tire chains or tires equipped with safety metal spike studs upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow or ice.
The Georgia DOT may close or limit access to portions of a state highway because of inclement weather. In the event this occurs, signs will be posted to communicate to drivers that tire chains are required to proceed.
For commercial vehicles with four or more drive wheels, tire chains must be installed on each of the outermost drive tires when driving on a road that has been declared “limited access” because of inclement weather. Previously, any four drive wheel tires required chains.
“Tire chains” are defined as “metal chains (that) consist of two circular metal loops, positioned on each side of a tire, connected by not less than nine evenly spaced chains across the tire tread or any other traction devices as provided for by rules and regulations of the commissioner of public safety.”
Furthermore, any driver who causes a wreck or blocks the flow of traffic when not complying with the above laws on a limited-access highway can be fined up to $1,000.
Hawaii
You wouldn’t think Hawaii needs a tire chain law, but it has one. Tire chains are permissible “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.”
Idaho
Officials in Idaho can determine, at any time, that Lookout Pass on I-90, Fourth of July Pass on I-90, or Lolo Pass on Highway 12 are unsafe, either individually or as a group. If that happens, signs will alert you to chain up.
If the alert is in effect, you will have to chain up at least one tire on each side of drive axles and one axle at or near the rear of each trailer. Idaho defines chains as two circular metal loops, one on each side of the tire, connected by not less than nine evenly spaced chains across the tread.
On a side note, studs are prohibited from May 1 to Sept. 30.
Indiana
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 to the following May 1. Just make sure those studs are no more than 3/32 of an inch beyond the tread of the traction surface and do not damage the road.
Kentucky
There are no specific dates for the use of tire chains or how many must be used. However, the state is specific about the type of chains that are allowed.
Here’s the exact language from the Kentucky statute: “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 10 inches apart, around the circumference of the tires.”
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 time frame, there is nothing noted within the law regulating the use of tire chains, and that time frame can be extended if needed.
Maryland
The Maryland regulations can be misleading. In one section of the regulations, the state has the boilerplate language allowing the use of snow chains if needed.
However, elsewhere the regulations state that chains may be required in Maryland if a snow emergency is declared. Snow emergencies can be declared for individual roads or statewide. Travel – other than for motorcycles – is prohibited on any highway that is designated and appropriately marked by signs as a vehicle emergency route when a snow emergency is in effect unless the vehicle is equipped with chains or snow tires on at least one wheel at each end of a driving axle.
“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 from May 1 to Nov. 1 without a permit. The law does not specifically mention chains. However, the Massachusetts State Patrol confirmed the regulation applies to chains. It also should be noted that commercial vehicles can be ordered off the roadways during “snow emergencies.”
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 law suggests a time frame, but weather is typically fine April through November anyway.
Montana
The chain law goes into effect when roadside signs tell all drivers to chain up. The state’s requirement when the law is in effect is for all “driver wheels” to be chained up. The use of pneumatic tires that feature an embedded block, stud, flange, cleat, spike or other protuberance that is retractable is allowed only from Oct. 1 to May 31 except that one of those tires may be used for a spare in case of tire failure. Violations will result in a $25 fine.
Nevada
There aren’t specific dates for chain laws to be in effect. Roadside signs will let you know when chaining up is required. In Nevada, truckers will need to chain at least two wheels on the main drive axle. You are also required to chain the “braking wheels of any trailing vehicle in a combination of vehicles.”
New Hampshire
Nothing in the state statutes addresses snow tires or tire chains specifically. However, a version of the New Hampshire driver’s manual recommends tire chains in slippery conditions, so we can assume they’re good to go during inclement weather.
New Jersey
New Jersey goes a little beyond the standard “chains are permitted when needed” directive. The state allows chains of reasonable proportions when roads, streets and highways are slippery, because of rain, snow, ice, oil, manner of construction, or other reason.
However, no 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.” Also, New Jersey prohibits the use of chains “likely to be thrown so as to endanger any person or property.”
New York
If New York officials, either state or local, post a route as a snow emergency route, all vehicles traveling on it will be required to have snow tires and/or chains. There are no specifics mandating the number of chains or placement.
North Dakota
In addition to the standard “chains whenever reasonably needed,” North Dakota also allows metal studs up to
1/16 inch beyond tread from Oct. 15 through April 15.
Ohio
Pretty much the same as North Dakota, but studded tires can be used starting on Nov. 1 rather than Oct. 15.
Oregon
Oregon’s law applies to all highways in the state. Signs will tell drivers when they are required to carry chains and when they are required to use them. You will need to have six chains on hand to comply in Oregon.
Placement
Again, you have a few options for which tires you are required to chain on the tractor, so here goes:
- 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, one tire on each side of each drive axle (again, four chains total required; you just don’t have to chain the inside tires).
On the trailer, here’s the deal.
Chains must also be placed on two tires, one on each side, of any axle on the trailer. The chains can be both on the front axle, both on the rear axle or staggered with one outside tire on the front and the outside tire of the opposite rear axle.
Pennsylvania
This is another state that can declare emergency snow routes. If officials declare a snow emergency route when the roadway is covered with ice or snow, only vehicles with snow tires or “tire chains on two tires on a driven axle” may proceed.
South Dakota
The South Dakota DOT has the authority to restrict travel on roads. Signs will alert you to these restrictions. Violating the restrictions could land you with a Class 2 misdemeanor conviction. Tire chains or “sufficient traction devices” are allowed. You don’t have to wait for the signs to tell you to put on your chains. Chains also are allowed if conditions tending to cause a skid are present.
Tennessee
Tennessee sends mixed signals with its regulations. In one reg, it says that it is “permissible” to use snow chains when conditions warrant. However, elsewhere, the Volunteer State requires that every truck “likely to encounter” conditions carry at least one set of chains.
So to be safe, you might want to have a couple of chains on board and ready to go.
Utah
A slight change to Utah’s chain laws went into effect this year. Essentially, the state can restrict travel on highways at any time for only vehicles equipped with traction devices. You will need to install four or more chains on the “drive wheel” tires. A Class B misdemeanor fine of up to $1,000 can be given for violating chain laws.
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.
- On one tire of the front axle and one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer.
If you fail to chain when required, you can be fined $1,000. That fine doubles if your noncompliance impedes the flow of traffic on a highway.
Washington
Chains must be carried Nov. 1 through March 31. It takes five chains to comply with the requirement. However, all vehicles of more than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight must carry two extra chains in the event that road conditions require the use of more chains or if chains in use are broken or otherwise useless.
Chains or cables?
Chains must have two sides attached with cross sections. Cables are allowed. Plastic chains are prohibited.
Placement
On a dual-axle tractor, the outside tires on both axles will need to be chained in addition to one tire on either side of either trailer axle. Tractors equipped with wide-base singles will have to chain each tire on each drive axle.
Route specific
On the following routes all vehicles and combinations of vehicles of more than 10,000 pounds shall carry sufficient tire chains from Nov. 1 to April 1 to meet the requirements:
- I-90 between North Bend (mile marker 32) and Ellensburg (mile marker 101).
- I-82 between Ellensburg Exit 3 (mile marker 3) and Selah Exit 26 (mile marker 26).
- SR 97 between mile marker 145 and the junction with SR 2.
- SR 2 between Dryden (mile marker 108) and Index (mile marker 36).
- SR 12 between Packwood (mile marker 135) and Naches (mile marker 187).
- SR 97 between the Columbia River (mile marker 0) and Toppenish (mile marker 59).
- SR 410 from Enumclaw to Naches.
- SR 20 between Tonasket (mile marker 262) and Kettle Falls (mile marker 342).
- SR 155 between Omak (mile marker 79) and Nespelem (mile marker 45).
- SR 970 between mile marker 0 and mile marker 10.
- SR 14 between Gibbons Creek (mile marker 18) and intersection of Cliffs Road (mile marker 108.40).
- SR-542 Mount Baker Highway between mile marker 22.91 and mile marker 57.26.
While much of the chain requirements are the responsibility of the Washington State Patrol, the regulations still outline most of the basics.
Wyoming
When Wyoming officials enact the chain law, commercial vehicles must have chains on at least the two outside tires of one drive axle. Signs will notify you when the chain law is in effect.
Not complying can cost drivers a minimum of $250, but if you block the highway because you don’t have chains on, expect a $750 fine.
States with boilerplate chain law text
Most states allow you to use chains if you need them. There is regulatory language consistent among several states that say you can use 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.”
These states have regulations expressly allowing the use of chains but do not regulate their use beyond allowing them for safety:
- Alabama.
- Arizona.
- Arkansas.
- Illinois.
- Iowa.
- Kansas.
- Louisiana.
- Michigan.
- Minnesota.
- Mississippi.
- Nebraska.
- New Mexico.
- North Carolina.
- Oklahoma.
- Rhode Island.
- South Carolina.
- Texas.
- Virginia.
- West Virginia.
- Wisconsin.
In general, states don’t want chains coming into contact with bare roads. However, if you need them for safety because the roads are covered with snow or ice, you’ll probably be OK to run them.
