Are studded tires legal in Oregon?

Yes, within a season. Oregon allows studded tires from November 1 through March 31. ORS 815.160, ORS 815.165 reads: "(7) Between November 1 of any year and April 1 of the following year, vehicles equipped with any tire having on its periphery studs of metal or other material projecting beyond the tread surface of the tire not less than four-hundredths (0.04) inch nor more than six-hundredths (0.06) inch and made of such material that the studs will wear, through use, at the same rate as the tread surface of the tire."

From November 1. For the 2026-27 season that is Sunday, November 1, 2026, and the window runs through Wednesday, March 31, 2027.

March 31 is the last day of the window, which for 2026-27 is Wednesday, March 31, 2027. ODOT may shorten or lengthen the studded tire period in areas it specifically designates, when highway preservation or public safety calls for it.

ODOT may shorten or lengthen the studded tire period in areas it specifically designates, when highway preservation or public safety calls for it. The statute reads: "When the preservation of the highway surface or the safety of the traveling public so indicates, the Department of Transportation shall have the authority to shorten or lengthen the period for the permissible use of such tires in any area of the state specifically designated by the department."

Studs must project at least 0.04 inch and no more than 0.06 inch beyond the tread and must wear at the same rate as the tread. School buses with a loaded weight of 10,000 pounds or more are exempt from the metal object prohibition. Emergency vehicles and ambulances in an emergency, and vehicles used for regularly scheduled medical transport, are exempt.

Oregon'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. The statute reads: "Traction tires may be used in place of chains on vehicles rated at 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less and that are not towing or being towed."

Retractable studded tires are exempt from the metal object ban and count as traction tires, and chains include link chains, cable chains and other devices that attach to the wheel or tire. ODOT also names fabric snow socks as a short stretch option for vehicles that cannot take chains.

Washington, November 1 through March 31; Idaho, October 1 through April 30; Nevada, October 1 through April 30; California, November 1 through April 30. Each state's page quotes its own statute.