30 states set a dated studded tire window in law; the most common opening date is November 1 and the most common last day April 30. Each state’s rule is below, quoted from its statute on the state page and linked, with this season’s dates and the chain law beside it.
Each square is one state, coloured by what its statute says about studded tires. Select a state for its rule, quoted and linked, and this season’s dates.
Allowed in seasonNo seasonal datesRestrictedBarredChain lawState vehicle code
Studded tire windows for 2026-27, earliest opening first
A studded winter tire. Each state that allows studs sets its own window for them, most often from late fall to early spring. “Studded snow tire 20171027”, Santeri Viinamäki, CC BY-SA 4.0
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All 50 states
Every state’s studded tire rule
The window is the one set in each statute; the season column gives the 2026-27 calendar dates. Each state page quotes the statute in full, with its exceptions.
Chain rules sit in their own sections of each state code, apart from the studded tire window. 41 states’ chain or traction rules are quoted on their state pages.
AlabamaTire chains of reasonable size are allowed on any vehicle when snow, rain or other conditions make sliding or skidding likely.Tire chains permitted
AlaskaAlaska has no chain requirement law; the same statute bans chains on paved roads during the summer dates that apply to studs.Seasonal chain restriction
ArizonaADOT tells drivers to use snow tires, chains or studded tires when they are recommended or required on snowy, icy roads. The statute allows tire chains of reasonable proportions when needed for safety. No named statewide chain law was found on ADOT's page.Chains or snow tires as recommended or required
CaliforniaCaltrans posts three chain control levels. R-1 lets light passenger vehicles with snow tires on two drive wheels skip chains but carry them; R-2 exempts four wheel or all wheel drive vehicles with snow tread tires on all four wheels, which must still carry traction devices; R-3 requires chains or traction devices on every vehicle.Chain controls R-1, R-2, R-3 (Vehicle Code 27459)
ColoradoCDOT can put the Traction Law in effect on any state highway during winter storms; vehicles then need qualifying tires with at least 3/16 inch tread or chains or an approved alternative device. Under the Chain Law, the last step before closing a highway, every vehicle needs chains or an approved alternative traction device.Passenger Vehicle Traction Law and Passenger Vehicle Chain Law (C.R.S. 42-4-106)
DelawareTire chains of reasonable size may be used on any vehicle when snow, ice or other slippery conditions make them necessary for safety.Tire chains permitted
GeorgiaChains of reasonable size are allowed under the same clause, when snow or ice makes them necessary.Tire chains permitted
IdahoThe statute's chain rule covers commercial vehicles on Interstate 90 over Lookout Pass and Fourth of July Pass and on State Highway 12 over Lolo Pass, when ITD finds conditions unsafe. It names no general chain law for passenger cars.Commercial vehicle chain requirement (Idaho Code 49-948(5))
IllinoisIllinois has no chain requirement law; chains of reasonable size are permitted when snow or ice makes skidding likely.Tire chains permitted
IndianaIndiana has no chain requirement law; ISP says chains are legal when needed for safety.Tire chains permitted
IowaIowa has no chain requirement law; chains of reasonable size are permitted when snow or ice makes skidding likely.Tire chains permitted
KansasKansas has no chain requirement law; chains of reasonable size are permitted when snow or ice makes skidding likely.Tire chains permitted
KentuckyKentucky law says a vehicle with chained wheels may not be driven on a highway that is not covered with ice unless the wheel rests on an ice shoe at least six inches wide, and it limits cross chains on rubber tires to three quarters of an inch thick spaced no more than ten inches apart.Chains only on ice covered highways
LouisianaTire chains of reasonable size may be used on any vehicle when conditions make it likely to slide or skid.Tire chains permitted
MarylandTire chains of reasonable size may be used on any vehicle when snow, ice or other conditions make skidding likely.Tire chains permitted
MichiganMichigan has no chain requirement law; chains of reasonable size are permitted when snow or ice makes skidding likely.Tire chains permitted
MinnesotaMinnesota has no chain requirement law; chains of reasonable size are permitted when snow or ice makes skidding likely.Tire chains permitted
MontanaMDT can require tire chains in designated areas at any time of year. When it does, vehicles towing a trailer must chain the driver wheels of one axle, and heavy towing units must carry chains or an approved device from October 1 through April 30 in chain areas.Montana Tire and Chain Laws (MCA 61-9-406, 61-9-436)
NebraskaNebraska has no chain requirement law; chains of reasonable size are permitted when snow or ice makes sliding likely.Tire chains permitted
NevadaWhen a highway is posted under icy or snowy conditions, vehicles of 10,000 pounds or less need traction devices, chains or snow tires, and heavier vehicles need chains. Where signs require devices on all vehicles except four wheel drive with snow tires on all wheels, every other vehicle must use traction devices or chains.Traction devices, tire chains or snow tires where posted (NRS 484D.515, 484D.520)
North CarolinaTire chains of reasonable size may be used on any vehicle when snow, ice or other conditions make sliding or skidding likely.Tire chains permitted
North DakotaNorth Dakota has no chain requirement law; the equipment statute simply permits tire chains of reasonable proportions.Tire chains permitted
OhioOhio has no chain requirement law; the stud rule does not restrict chains when there is snow or ice on the road.Tire chains permitted
OklahomaTire chains of reasonable size may be used when snow, ice or other conditions make skidding likely. The same subsection limits the use of such tires or tire chains to vehicles rated up to two tons.Tire chains permitted
OregonOregon's chain law applies on all highways. When signs are posted you must carry or use chains or traction tires; traction tires can stand in for chains on vehicles rated 10,000 pounds GVW or less that are not towing or being towed.Oregon Chain Law (ORS 815.140, 815.142)
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania lets drivers use tire chains temporarily during snow and ice emergencies under PennDOT regulations.Tire chains permitted
Rhode IslandTire chains of reasonable size may be used on any vehicle when snow, ice or other conditions make skidding likely.Tire chains permitted
South CarolinaTire chains of reasonable size may be used on any vehicle when snow, ice or other conditions make skidding likely.Tire chains permitted
South DakotaSouth Dakota has no chain requirement law; chains of reasonable size are permitted when snow or ice makes sliding likely.Tire chains permitted
TennesseeTire chains of reasonable size may be used on any vehicle when snow or ice makes them necessary for safety.Tire chains permitted
TexasTire chains of reasonable size are allowed when needed for safety because of a condition that might make the vehicle skid.Tire chains permitted
UtahDuring severe winter weather UDOT can require traction equipment in set locations, sometimes up to 24 hours before a storm. Four wheel and all wheel drive vehicles need M+S or three peak mountain snowflake tires or devices on two drive tires; two wheel drive cars need three peak mountain snowflake tires or devices on all drive tires. The Cottonwood Canyons are a stricter Class 3 area requiring 5/32 inch tread.Traction Law
VermontState officials may require chains on posted stretches of state highway in winter weather for vehicles over 26,000 pounds; the DMV says the only mandatory chain up area is Route 9 between the Wilmington and Bennington chain up sites.Chain Up Law
VirginiaTire chains of reasonable size are allowed when snow, ice or other conditions make sliding or skidding likely.Tire chains permitted
WashingtonWSDOT can post a traction advisory, chains required for vehicles over 10,000 GVW, or chains required on all vehicles except all wheel drive. When chains are required and nothing else will do, the requirement applies to studded tires too. Vehicles over 10,000 pounds must carry chains on listed routes from November 1 to April 1.Traction advisory and chains required signs (RCW 47.36.250)
West VirginiaTire chains of reasonable size are allowed on any vehicle when snow, ice or other conditions make skidding likely.Tire chains permitted
WisconsinWisconsin has no chain requirement law; chains of reasonable size are permitted when snow or ice makes skidding likely.Tire chains permitted
WyomingWYDOT can impose two levels on specific highway sections. Level 1 limits travel to vehicles with chains, adequate snow tires, or all wheel drive. Level 2 limits travel to vehicles with chains or all wheel drive vehicles with adequate mud and snow or all weather rated tires, and commercial vehicles must chain two drive wheels on the same axle.Wyoming Chain Law, Level 1 and Level 2 (W.S. 31-5-956(e))
Chains on a truck tire, photographed by the Oregon Department of Transportation. Chain rules sit in their own sections of each state code, apart from the studded tire window. “Truck chains (5123859267)”, Oregon Department of Transportation, CC BY 2.0
Studded tire questions
30 states set a dated window in statute: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont and Wyoming set no seasonal dates. Alabama, Georgia and Maryland allow them only under conditions or by permit. Each state page quotes the statute and links to it.
Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Wisconsin bar studded tires in statute. Hawaii bars wheels fitted with spikes or other road damaging projections, and allows studded snow tires only on the Mauna Kea access road above Hale Pohaku and roads inside the Mauna Kea Science Reserve. Illinois bars metal studs on improved highways, allowing them only for rural mail carriers and certain disability or disabled veteran plate holders in unincorporated areas, from November 15 to April 1. Louisiana bars any tire with a protuberance of material other than rubber that sticks out beyond the tread, which rules out metal tire studs on the highway at any time of year.
It depends on the state. The most common opening date is November 1 (California, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington and West Virginia). The earliest is September 16, in Alaska. For the 2026-27 season, each state page gives the exact date its window opens.
The most common last day is April 30 (Alaska, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York and South Dakota). The latest is May 31, in Montana. Alaska, California, Idaho, Maine, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington can add days by statute; their state pages quote that power.
Montana: October 1 through May 31, 243 days. The shortest dated window is Rhode Island's, November 15 through April 1, 138 days.
Alaska, California, Idaho, Maine, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington have that power in statute. The commissioner of public safety adds legal periods by emergency order when seasonal or weather conditions are unusual. Alaska's statute reads: "The commissioner of public safety shall by emergency order provide for additional lawful operating periods based on unusual seasonal or weather conditions."
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming have a chain or traction rule quoted on their state pages. Each chain rule sits in its own section of the statute, apart from the studded tire window.
Compiled September 22, 2026 from each state’s statute and department of transportation pages, linked beside every quote on the state pages. Statutes change between winters, and a transportation department can extend a window where its statute allows, so the linked source is the one to check before a trip.
