Winter Driving Restrictions

Chain Laws

There are about as many different chain laws as there are states, ranging from no requirements to very detailed laws. Here's a breakdown on each states' chain requirements.

• States With No Tire Chain Laws
• Abbreviated Chain Laws
• US State Laws
• Tire Chain Safety

States With No Tire Chain Laws

Some states, you wouldn't expect to have chain laws. Other states that you may expect to have chain laws, don't. Here's a list of states with no tire chain laws on the books: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont.

Abbreviated Chain Laws

The following states have no specific chain laws or requirements on chain placements. However, they do have laws that say chains may be used during snow and icy weather conditions. Alaska, Arizona, Idaho (chains are required when sign posted "chains required beyond this point"), Indiana, Maine, Maryland (required during Snow Emergency Plan), Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania (may be used during snow or ice emergencies), Virginia (chain requirements posted as conditions change), West Virginia, Wisconsin.

The rest of the states have laws or regulations that may require truck drivers, at least those traveling certain highways, to use tire chains when the weather warrants it. Some rules are pretty straight-forward. Others are a little more complicated so we've provided Web sites that you can visit for detailed information.

US STATE LAWS:

California
Highway signs will indicate when chains are required. There are three control levels: R1, R2 and R3, but they all mean the same thing for a truck driver. Any vehicle must have chains on one drive axle. On any semitrailer, only one set of chains is required regardless of the number of axles. Trucks with cable-type chains are legal. However, they may be restricted at times due to local conditions.

You'll usually have about a mile between "chains required" signs and the checkpoint to install your chains. The speed limit when chains are required is 25-30 mph and will be posted.

For more information, see the California Highway Patrol's Web site: www.chp.ca.gov/html/winter_driving.html.

Colorado
There are two levels of chain requirements. Road signs are posted when either level is in effect.

Level one may go into effect when snow covers any portion of a road on an ascending grade. Level one requires all single drive-axle commercial vehicles to use chains on four wheels of the drive axle. Cables are not allowed on single-axle commercial vehicles as an alternative. All other commercial vehicles must have snow tires or chains.

Level two goes into effect when snow covers all of an ascending grade or when other conditions warrant it. At this level, all commercial vehicles must be chained on four wheels of a drive axle. Buses need to chain only two drive wheel tires. Single drive-axle vehicles must use chains, not cables.

Colorado has no rule regarding chains for trailers. Tire cables are acceptable for use on trailer tires.

The Colorado Department of Transportation has provided details at www.cotrip.org/faqs/commchains.html.

Michigan
You may use tire chains of reasonable proportion when required for safety because of snow or ice. However, if used, the chain cannot come in contact with the surface of the roadway.

Montana
Chains must be used when indicated by "chains are required" signs. Chains are required on the drive wheels of one axle of a vehicle, including studded tires.

Nevada
Drivers are notified of chain-up requirements by signs along the roadway: "When flashing, chains or snow tires required." Operators of vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross weight are required to carry enough chains for at least two wheels of a drive axle and two braking wheels of a trailer. Only one set of chains is required on a semitrailer, regardless of the number of axles.

The Department of Transportation and the Highway Patrol may still deny a vehicle entry to an area when it cannot proceed safely.

For more details, see www.nevadadot.com/traveler/pdfs/tractionControl.pdf or www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-484.html#NAC484Sec230.

Oregon
When a road sign is posted, all vehicles may be required to use chains in order to proceed. Oregon has very specific rules.

A single drive-axle solo truck must have chains on the two outside tires of the drive axle.

A tandem-axle solo truck must have chains on either all four tires of the primary drive axle or, if the axles are powered by the drive line, on either all four inside tires or all four outside tires on both drive axles.

When a single drive-axle truck is towing a trailer, semitrailer or both, it must have chains on all four tires of the drive axle.

Chain requirements on the trailer and semitrailer vary.

When towing a two or three-axle trailer, the trailer must have chains on at least one tire on the front axle of the trailer and one tire on one of the rear axle(s) of the trailer.

When towing a semitrailer, chains are required on two tires on either side of any axle of the semitrailer.

When towing both a semitrailer and trailer, chains are required on two tires on either side of any axle of the semitrailer, and at least one tire on each axle of the trailer.

A tandem drive-axle truck towing a two or three-axle trailer must have chains on at least two tires on each side of the primary drive axle, one tire of the front axle on the trailer, and one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer.

A tandem drive-axle truck tractor towing a semitrailer must have chains on at least two tires on each side of the primary drive axle, and two tires on either side of either axle on the semitrailer.

A tandem drive-axle truck tractor towing both a semitrailer and two or three-axle trailer must have chains on all four tires of the primary drive axle and on two tires of the secondary drive axle. Chains must be placed on two tires of either axle on the semitrailer and at least one tire on the front and rear axle(s) of the trailer.

If a tandem drive-axle truck tractor is towing a semitrailer and a semitrailer that are connected by kingpin-to-fifth wheel assemblies (B-Train), or kingpin-to-fifth wheel "C-dolly" assemblies (C-Train), chains must be placed on two tires on either side of any axle of the semitrailer at the B-Train or C-Train connection and on two tires on either side of either axle of the rear semitrailer.

Cables may be used.

For a copy of the rule, go to arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_700/OAR-734/734_017.html. For more details, go to www.tripcheck.com/Winter/ChainRequirements.htm, provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

South Dakota
Certain state highways may restrict vehicle traffic to motor carriers equipped with chains, studded tires or snow tires. Travel restrictions will be posted or signs will indicate when the restrictions apply. There are no requirements for placement of chains.

For more information, visit www.sddot.com/operations/CVO/motor_carrier_handbook/specialinfo.htm.

Tennessee
One set of chains are required for all vehicles when they are likely to encounter snow-covered and icy conditions.

Washington
Commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR must carry chains when traveling on many Washington roads from November 1 to April 1. Two extra chains are required. Cable chains are allowed, but plastic chains are prohibited.

Drivers are notified by signs along the roadway. If signs read "vehicles over 10,000 GVWR" or "all vehicles - chains required," vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR must use chains.

For two to four axles, chains are required on one tire on each side of the drive axle, same axle; and one tire on either side of the trailer. This includes auto transporters with single drive axles.

For five axle, chains are required on all tires on one drive axle or one tire on each side of both drive axles. Chains are also required on one tire on either side of either trailer axle. This includes auto transporters.

For five or more axle doubles, chains are required on all four tires on one drive axle, and one tire on either side of the last trailer axle.

On six or more axle combinations when "all vehicles chains required" sign is posted, chains are required on one additional tire on each side of the drive axle.

Oversize loads are prohibited on mountain passes if any of the following signs are displayed:

• traction advisory - oversize vehicles prohibited
• vehicles over 10,000 GVWR-chains required
• all vehicles - chains required except all-wheel drive

Any vehicle may be denied access to an area if the state judges it cannot proceed safely.

For a brochure on chain requirements provided by the Washington State Patrol, go to www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/chainbw.pdf.

Utah
Utah may restrict travel on certain state highways in canyon areas between November 1 and March 31. Vehicles may be permitted to travel these roads if they are equipped with either snow tires, steel link chains or have chains in their possession, or elastomeric tire chains designed for radial tires. There are no placement requirements for commercial motor vehicles.

For more information visit www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r920/r920-006.htm.

Wyoming
Travel may be restricted to motor vehicles equipped with tire chains or adequate snow tires when there are hazardous snow or ice conditions. Drivers will be notified by road signs and broadcasts on local radio stations.

Drivers can also call Wyoming Road and Travel to get updates on current chain requirements: in Wyoming, toll-free at 1-888-996-7623, or outside of Wyoming, 307-772-0824.

For information provided by the Wyoming Highway Patrol, see wydotweb.state.wy.us/Docs/Patrol/Chainlaw.html.

Tire Chain Safety

Install chains in designated areas only. Make sure it's well-lit, snow-packed, and on the widest part of the roadway. Some sites will have a DOT inspector make sure chains are on properly before letting you proceed.

Keep in mind that chains are designed for traction, not stopping. Always allow enough distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you.

Wear your PPE!