Are studded tires legal in California?

Yes, within a season. California allows studded tires from November 1 through April 30. Cal. Vehicle Code 27454 reads: "(e) (1) Pneumatic tires containing metal-type studs of tungsten carbide or other suitable material that are inserted or constructed so that under no condition will the number of studs or the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway exceed 3 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway, between November 1 and April 30 of each year."

From November 1. For the 2026-27 season that is Sunday, November 1, 2026, and the window runs through Friday, April 30, 2027.

April 30 is the last day of the window, which for 2026-27 is Friday, April 30, 2027. The commissioner named in the statute, after consulting Caltrans, may extend the studded tire period in areas of the state because of adverse weather.

The commissioner named in the statute, after consulting Caltrans, may extend the studded tire period in areas of the state because of adverse weather. The statute reads: "(2) The commissioner, after consultation with the Department of Transportation, may extend the period during which the studded pneumatic tires may be used with studs deployed or inserted in areas of the state for the protection of the public because of adverse weather conditions."

Authorized emergency vehicles may use studded tires all year. Studs may not exceed 3 percent of the tire area in contact with the roadway.

Caltrans 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. The statute reads: "Requirement 3 (R3) : Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions."

Retractable studs may stay on all year if retracted from May 1 through October 31, and tires may not be worn so far that retracted studs protrude. Snow tread tires marked M-S, M/S, M+S or Mud and Snow count toward R-1 and R-2.

Oregon, November 1 through March 31; Nevada, October 1 through April 30; Arizona, October 1 through May 1. Each state's page quotes its own statute.