Are studded tires legal in Illinois?
Illinois law bars studded tires, with narrow exceptions.
The studded tire rule in Illinois
Barred
Illinois law bars studded tires, with narrow exceptions.
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.
No metal tired vehicle, including tractors, motor vehicles of the second division, traction engines and other similar vehicles, shall be operated over any improved highway of this State, if such vehicle has on the periphery of any of the road wheels any block, stud, flange, cleat, ridge, lug or any projection of metal or wood which projects radially beyond the tread or traffic surface of the tire.Restriction as to tire equipment, 625 ILCS 5/12-401, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source
Exceptions to the Illinois rule
Rural mail carriers may use studded tires while delivering mail between November 15 and April 1.
This prohibition does not apply to pneumatic tires with metal studs used on vehicles operated by rural letter carriers who are employed or enjoy a contract with the United States Postal Service for the purpose of delivering mail if such vehicle is actually used for such purpose during operations between November 15 of any year and April 1 of the following year625 ILCS 5/12-401. Read it at the source
Vehicles with a disability or disabled veteran plate whose owner lives in an unincorporated area on a county or township road may use studs in the same period.
or to motor vehicles displaying a disability license plate or a license plate for veterans with disabilities whose owner resides in an unincorporated area located upon a county or township highway or road and possesses a valid driver's license and operates the vehicle with such tires only during the period heretofore described625 ILCS 5/12-401. Read it at the source
Illinois’s chain law
Illinois has no chain requirement law; chains of reasonable size are permitted when snow or ice makes skidding likely.
Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to prohibit the use of tire chains of reasonable proportion upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.625 ILCS 5/12-401, read September 22, 2026. Read it at the source
Illinois studded tire questions
Compiled September 22, 2026 from Restriction as to tire equipment, 625 ILCS 5/12-401 and the other sources linked beside each quote. 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. Every state is in the studded tire laws by state table.