Tire Chain Laws By State [Guide for Truck Drivers]

January 31st, 2025

Winter is here, and that means it's time to talk about tire chains. Whether you love them, hate them, or have never touched a set in your life, knowing when, where, and how to use them is key to staying safe (and legal) on the road.

Each state has its own chain laws, and every trucking company has a different policy. Some require their drivers to chain up to keep freight moving, while others — like Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) — advise drivers to park when conditions get bad. But regardless of company policy, if you’re driving through mountainous states in the winter, state laws might require you to chain up. Ignoring those rules (or using chains when you shouldn’t) could lead to steep fines.

I spent 19 years driving over the road (OTR), racking up over 2 million accident-free miles, much of that through snow-covered mountain passes. Now, as part of the ATS safety team, I’m here to share what I’ve learned about chaining up, staying compliant, and making the safest decision when winter weather strikes.

In this guide, I'll break down:

What tire chains are
Chain laws by state
Types of chains
How to use chains
ATS' chain policy

Let’s make sure you’re prepared for the road ahead!

What are Tire Chains?

Tire chains — metal devices secured around the tires — are designed to provide traction when navigating snow-covered or icy roads. Tire chains are only designed to be used for short distances — ideally when you’re trying to drive to a safe location or get through a mountain pass. You shouldn’t drive more than 25 or 30 miles per hour (mph) with them on.

Driving with tire chains on is a rough ride. If they come loose, they can do a lot of damage to your truck and tires. You can pop tires, tear up your truck, or lose mud flaps.

Because of the damage they can cause, best practice is not to use them. Not only that but even if there are designated areas to chain up, they’re usually just on the side of the road. It can be dangerous and scary to chain up on the side of an icy, snow-covered road with traffic sliding by.

Tire Chain Laws By State

Tire chain laws are mandated on the state level. Tire chain laws dictate when you should, shouldn’t, and must use tire chains. Many states allow chains when needed at the driver’s discretion, but some states restrict them depending on the time of year and type of chain.

Using the incorrect type of chain or using chains that aren’t in accordance with these laws can subject you to fines. Chains can not only damage your truck and trailer; they can also damage the roads. This is why states have laws regarding their usage.

Use the chart below for state-by-state guidance on when you’re required to carry chains in your truck, when you need to use them, and when you shouldn’t use them. Failing to follow these laws can result in fines.

For more updated information, refer to each state’s Department of Transportation (DOT) website.

State	Chain Law Summary
Alabama	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Alaska	Tire chain laws vary by location and time of year, check local laws. Special permits may be obtained to use chains in prohibited zones.
Arizona	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Arkansas	Allowed during certain times of year when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
California	Tire chain controls may be established in mountain areas. If so, there are three levels of requirements. Level 1 requires chains on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight equipped with snow tires. Level 2 requires chains on all vehicles except four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires. Level 3 requires chains on all vehicles, no exceptions.
Colorado	Drivers must carry tire chains in certain areas September 1 to May 31. To avoid fines, check local laws and use chains when required.
Connecticut	Chains and studded tires may be used November 15 to April 30.
Delaware	Chains are allowed when needed from October 15 to April 15.
Florida	No tire chain laws.
Georgia	Tire chains required when posted on signage.
Hawaii	No tire chain laws.
Idaho	Studded tires are allowed October 1 to April 30. Chains are allowed as needed and required on some mountain passes.
Illinois	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Indiana	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions. Studded tires are permitted October 1 to May 1.
Iowa	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Kansas	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Kentucky	May not be used unless the road is ice-covered or the vehicle has an ice shoe at least 6 inches wide. Limit on diameter and spacing.
Louisiana	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Maine	Allowed when required during certain times of year due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Maryland	Required when a snow emergency has been declared, but not allowed on vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs.
Massachusetts	Permitted when necessary from November 1 to May 1.
Michigan	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Minnesota	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Mississippi	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Missouri	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions. Not permitted April 1 to November 1.
Montana	Chains may be required year-round when a chain-up sign is posted.
Nebraska	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Nevada	Required on all vehicles over 10,000 pounds when posted.
New Hampshire	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
New Jersey	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
New Mexico	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
New York	Allowed when a snow emergency has been declared by the state or municipality.
North Carolina	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
North Dakota	Studded tires allowed between October 15 and April 15. Otherwise, tire chains are allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Ohio	Studded tires allowed between November 1 and April 15.
Oklahoma	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Oregon	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions from November 1 to March 31.
Pennsylvania	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions from November 1 to April 15.
Rhode Island	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
South Carolina	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
South Dakota	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Tennessee	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Texas	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions.
Utah	Allowed when posted or when road conditions warrant it.
Vermont	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions. Required in certain areas when posted.
Virginia	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions from October 15 to April 15.
Washington	Required on certain routes from November 1 to April 1. Check local laws and use chains when required.
West Virginia	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions from November 1 to April 15.
Wisconsin	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions. Chains mustn’t come in direct contact with the road surface.
Wyoming	Allowed when required due to snow, rain, or other poor weather conditions. Chains may be required in extreme weather conditions.

Disclaimer: This article provides a general overview of tire chain laws in the U.S. Always consult official state transportation department websites for the most up-to-date and specific information.

What Type of Chains are There?

There are a few types of chains and other similar tools you can utilize to gain additional traction while driving on treacherous roads. They include automatic tire chains, single chains, dual chains, cables, tire socks, and studded tires.

While automatic tire chains can be mounted to the tires, these aren’t used by truck drivers. Instead, drivers most often use single and dual chains that must be manually applied — which can be both time-consuming and dangerous if you’re doing it on the side of the road. Single chains go over one individual tire while dual chains fit over two tires at once. They’re both heavier and take longer to put on.

Cables look similar to chains, but they’re lighter and cheaper. While they’re just as effective as chains, they’re very easy to bend and break and can usually only be used once.

Tire socks, or snow socks, are an alternative for tire chains — albeit a very expensive one. They’re normally made of woven fabric and some sort of rubbery material. The socks wrap around the tire to cover the tread and increase traction. Some states don’t recognize tire socks as a suitable replacement for chains.

Studded tires can also be used in place of chains. Studded tires have studs in them to grip icy, snow-covered roads. These are put on instead of all-weather or winter tires. Some states don’t allow their use, however.

How to Put on Tire Chains

Even if your company doesn’t require you to use chains, it’s still good practice to know how to use them. If you encounter an emergency or end up in an area that requires them, you’ll know how to use them.

Putting on tire chains is time-consuming, especially if you’ve never done it. If you’ve chained before, it might take you 30 minutes to chain four tires. If you’ve never done it before, it could take 90 minutes.

Get to the safest place you can park to chain up. Then grab your chains. How many chains you put on will depend upon state regulations, but they don’t need to go on every tire.

Untangle the chains and ensure they’re clean of snow. Then you can begin to drape the chains over the select tires with the hooks facing out. Connect the chains. Then, you’ll need to drive forward and/or backward to get the chain on the rest of the tire.

Some tricks make chaining go quicker. For instance, I used to stack two short pieces of wood underneath the drive tire, drive up, and then raise the axle off the ground. That allowed me to put the whole chain on in one go.

The Tire Chain Policy at ATS

At ATS, we don’t require drivers to use chains. If the roads are bad enough, we want our drivers to get off the roads and get to safety. If our drivers ever feel unsafe driving in the road conditions, they’re encouraged to report it to their driver managers and park until the road conditions improve.

It’s simply not worth it to put our employees at risk; loads can always be delivered another day. We don’t want you to get hurt.

Not only that, but chains can damage your truck, your trailer, and the road. You can only go between 25 and 30 mph with them on, so you won’t make it far.

Van truck navigating a snowy road.

Safely Navigate the Winter Roads

As winter approaches, you need to be well-informed about tire chain laws and their use. These laws vary from state to state, and trucking companies may also have their own policies on the use of tire chains.

Whether mandated by your company or state regulations, understanding and adhering to these laws is crucial, as failure to do so can lead to significant fines.

Various types of chains and traction devices are available, including single and dual chains, cables, tire socks, and studded tires. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and their suitability may depend on state regulations.

Knowing how to put on tire chains is a valuable skill for any driver, even if your company doesn't require them. Learning the proper techniques can save you time and ensure your safety in emergency situations.

To stay informed, be prepared, and prioritize safety on the wintry roads, check out these winter driving tips.