When the winter weather occurs, do you know when you should chain your tires? During September 1st and May 1st, each state throughout the United States has its own sets of rules regarding snow tire chains. Be sure you know the rules when driving through these states because if not, you could receive a fine ranging from $50 - $500.

Tire Chain Laws Per State

Each state has its laws regarding tire chains during winter weather. Below are these laws for each state.

The following states require tire snow chains when snow, ice, or other dangerous road conditions are present:

• Alabama

• Arizona

• Arkansas

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Iowa

• Kansas

• Louisiana

• Maine

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Minnesota

• Mississippi

• Missouri

• Nebraska

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey

• New Mexico

• New York

• North Carolina

• North Dakota

• Ohio

• Oklahoma

• Oregon

• Pennsylvania

• Rhode Island

• South Carolina

• South Dakota

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Vermont

• Virginia

• West Virginia

• Wisconsin

Alaska – requires drivers to have snow chains when traveling north of 60 North Latitude during May 1st – September 15th.

Drivers are NOT required to have snow chains on when traveling south of 60 North Latitude April 15th – September 30th.

Drivers are NOT required to have snow chains on when traveling Sterling Highway from May 1st – September 15th. When using chains in these areas, you will be given a permit by the Department of Administration.

California – you are NOT required to have snow chains during any specific time. However, when winter weather occurs, there are some chain requirements that you must meet. When these requirements go into effect, you will see signs along the highways. These signs include:

• R1: Chains or snow tires on drive axel vehicles except for four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles.

• R2: Chains are required on ALL vehicles except four-wheel and all-wheel vehicles, which already have snow-tread tires.

• Chains are required on ALL vehicles with NO exceptions.  

Colorado – requires drivers to have snow chains on during September 1st – May 31st when traveling I-70 between mile markers 259 and 133. If you are caught without chains, you can face fines of $50 and a $16 surcharge. If you do not put chains on your vehicle when this law is in effect, you could also be fined $500 with a $78 surcharge. If you end up blocking the roadways because of failure to have chains on your vehicle – you can be fined $1,000 with a $156 surcharge.

The laws in Colorado are:

• Level 1: All single-axle combination vehicles have chains, and trucks are also required to have chains on all four tires. During the Level 1 law, commercial vehicles must have chains or snow tires.

• Level 2: During this law, commercial vehicles must have chains on all four tires.

Delaware – requires drivers to have chains on all four tires from October 15th – April 15th.

Georgia – when the Georgia Department of Transportation closes highways or allows limited access due to weather, there will be signs to inform drivers that snow chains are required. Commercial vehicles are required to have outer drive tires.

Idaho – when the Idaho Department of Transportation feels the Lookout Pass and Fourth of July Pass on I-90 is unsafe, drivers will be required to have snow chains on at least one tire on each axle and one axle near the rear.

Kentucky – you are not allowed to enter icy roads with chains on your tires unless the wheel rests on an ice-shoe that is 6” wide. However, when chains are being used, cross chains cannot be more than ¾ inch thick. They should be 10” apart around the tire.

Michigan – chains are required when snow, ice, or other winter weather is present. Also, when you have chains, they cannot contact the roadway.

Montana – when the Montana Department of Transportation states that roadways are dangerous because of winter weather – drivers must meet these requirements:

• Chains are required for all drive vehicles

• Chains or traction devices for drive wheels

• Chains required for driver wheels

Nevada – it is illegal to drive on roads without chains, snow tires, or traction devices when roads have ice or snow. Watch for signs posted along the highway that require you to have traction devices, chains, or snow tires. When these signs are posted, you should have the following:

• Tire chains, snow tires, or traction devices when the vehicle weighs 10,000 pounds or less.

• Tire chains when the vehicle weight is more than 10,000 pounds.

Utah – requires commercial vehicles weighing more than 10,000 to have tire chains during November 1st – April 1st on the following routes:

• Blewett Pass – SR-97 to MP 145 and Milepost 185

• Chinook Pass – SR-410 Enumclaw (MP 25) to SR-12 (MP 342)

• Cle Elum to Tenanaway – SR-970 Cle Elum (MP 0) to Tenanaway (MP 0)

• Gibbons Creek to Intersection of Cliffs Rd. – SR-14 Gibbons Creek (MP 18) to Intersection of Cliffs Rd. (MP 108)

• Baker Highway (Ellensburg to Selah) – SR-542 (MP 22) to (MP 57) – I-82 from Ellensburg (MP 3) to Selah (MP 26)

• Newhalem to Winthrop – SR-20 Newhalem (MP 120) to Winthrop (MP 192)

• Omak to Nespelem – SR-155 Omak (MP 79) to Nespelem (MP 45)

• Staus Pass – SR-97 Columbia River (MP 00) to Toppenish (MP 59)

• Sherman Pass – SR-20 Tonasket (MP 262) to Kettle Falls (MP 342)

• Snoqualmie Pass – I-90 North Bend (MP 32) and Ellensburg (MP 101)

• Stevens Pass – SR-2 Dryden (MP 108) to Index (MP 36)

• White Pass – SR-12 Packwood (MP 135) to Naches (MP 187)

Wyoming – there are two levels when chains are required in Wyoming. These include:

• Level 1: when road conditions are dangerous – some travel can be restricted for vehicles with chains, snow tires, or all-wheel vehicles

• Level 2: when road conditions are dangerous – some travel can be restricted for vehicles with tire chains or all-wheel vehicles with snow, mud, or all-weather tires.

Commercial drivers should have tire chains with at least two drive wheels on opposite sides of the drive axel. Also, if you violate any of these laws, you can be looking at fines up to $250. If you cause a road obstruction because you did not follow these laws, you can be fined up to $750.

When you are driving through different states during winter weather, first and foremost, be safe – but also make sure you are prepared for the state's laws.