Tire Chain Laws by State 2026

Tire Chain Law

Allowed when required

No tire chain law

Specific guidelines

State	Tire Chain Law↓	Tire Chain Specific Guidelines
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. If you are operating a vehicle on Sterling Highway from May 1 through September 15. Special permit needed for using chains in one of these zones.
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: 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	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. Colorado has two different types of commercial chain laws: Level 1 – Single-axle combination commercial vehicles must chain up. All other commercial vehicles must have snow tires or chains. Level 2 – All commercial vehicles are required to chain up the four drive tires.
Connecticut	Specific guidelines	From Nov. 15 through April 30 chains are permitted.
Idaho	Specific guidelines	Studded tires are allowed October 1 to April 30. Chains are allowed as needed and required on some mountain passes.
Kentucky	Specific guidelines	Not allowed unless the road is ice-covered or vehicle has an ice shoe at least 6 in wide.
Massachusetts	Specific guidelines	Permitted from Nov 1-May 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.
Nevada	Specific guidelines	Required on all vehicles over 10,000 lbs when requirements in effect. Studded tires permitted between Oct 1-April 30.
Ohio	Specific guidelines	Studded tires allowed between November 1 and April 15. Tire chains are not allowed.
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. Commercial vehicles must carry chains as required and may need multiple chains depending on axle configuration. Studded tires are permitted from November 1 through March 31. Tire chains are permitted when necessary for safety during snow, ice, or other conditions that may result in slippery highways.
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: - 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.
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 vehicle access to traction control areas for safety.
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: Level 1 allows travel for vehicles with tire chains, adequate snow tires, or all-wheel-drive; Level 2 requires tire chains or all-wheel-drive with appropriate tires, and commercial vehicles must have chains on two drive wheels on the same axle.
Alabama	Allowed when required
Arizona	Allowed when required
Arkansas	Allowed when required
Delaware	Allowed when required	Chains are allowed when needed from October 15 to April 15.
Georgia	Allowed when required	Tire chains required when posted on signage.
Illinois	Allowed when required
Indiana	Allowed when required
Iowa	Allowed when required
Kansas	Allowed when required
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.
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.
Nebraska	Allowed when required
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.
Oklahoma	Allowed when required
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
Virginia	Allowed when required
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.
Florida	No tire chain law
Hawaii	No tire chain law
New Hampshire	No tire chain law

Tire Chain Laws State regulations governing when tire chains may be used or are required on vehicles, typically during snow or ice conditions.

States with Specific Tire Chain Guidelines

Some states provide detailed regulations governing when and how tire chains can be used. These rules often include seasonal restrictions, vehicle weight requirements, and conditions under which chains must be carried or installed.

These states are Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.

States Where Tire Chains Are Allowed When Required

Many states allow tire chains to be used when conditions warrant it, typically during snow or ice events. In these states, usage is often triggered by road conditions or posted signage rather than fixed seasonal mandates.

These states include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

States with No Tire Chain Law

Florida, Hawaii, and New Hampshire are the three states that do not have specific laws governing the use of tire chains, typically due to minimal snowfall and limited need for traction devices.

When Tire Chains Are Required

In states with tire chain laws, requirements are typically triggered by specific conditions rather than applied year-round. Drivers are often required to install or carry chains when signage indicates, particularly in mountainous areas or during severe winter weather.

Commercial vehicles are more likely to face mandatory chain requirements, especially on designated routes or during heightened weather alerts. In some cases, multiple chains or specific configurations are required depending on the vehicle type and road conditions.