Laws for
Tire Chain Use
Arizona [
website ]
Arizona cites Part 393 of the Federal Regs: Tire chains of reasonable
size may be used when snow, ice or other conditions causing skidding
exist.
California [
website ]
California there is no tire chain possession law but, truckers "better
not get caught without them" if the weather deteriorates. The
Department of Transportation reserves the right to prohibit any
vehicle from entering a tire chain control area when it is determined
the vehicle will experience difficulty in safely traveling through
the area. On any semi-trailer only one set of tire chains is required
regardless of number of axles. Tire chains on trailers may be staggered
front and back. Chains are not required on tag axle. Some dual trailer
configurations may be restricted from moving into a snow area when
tire chains are required.
Colorado [
website ]
Colorado's tire chain laws apply to every state highway, federal
highway and interstate. The DOT says when the law is in effect,
signs will be place along roadways indicating which vehicles must
chain up. Truckers can remove tire chains where bare pavement is
encountered on a descending grade. Trucks must chain four wheels.
Dual tire chains are an acceptable choice, but tire cables are not
allowed. No tire chains are required on trailers, but, Colorado
will be monitoring the effectiveness of tire cables on trailer tires.
Auto transporters must comply to the full extent of the chain laws.
Colorado has 2 levels of law for commercial vehicles.
Level 1 - This level requires that all single drive
axle combination commercial vehicles must chain up. All four wheels
of the power unit axle must be chained. Cables are not allowed on
single-drive axle combination commercial vehicles as alternative
traction device. When Level 1 (Code 17) is in effect, all other
commercial vehicles must have snow tires or chains. Code 17 may
be implemented at any time there is snow covering any part of the
traveled portion of pavement on an ascending grade.
Level 2 - This level requires chains for all commercial vehicles,
including all trucks exceeding 26,001 lbs. in weight, and buses
or vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers. Auto transports
must comply to the extent possible without causing damage to hydraulic
lines. Buses need to chain only two drive wheel tires to comply.
Level 2 (Code 18) may be implemented any time there is snow covering
the entire traveled portion of the pavement on an ascending grade,
or when road, weather, or driving conditions make this restriction
necessary to protect the safety of the traveling public and to minimize
road closures.
Idaho has no specific tire chain laws.
Iowa has no tire chain laws.
Michigan [
website ]
Michigan has no tire chain law requirement. It's illegal for trucks
to use tire chains in Michigan. According to MDOT, trucks with chains
do service centers that update winter road conditions by phone.
The main number for these is (517) 373-1620. Road info is also available
through AAA. Their number is (800) 411-4823.
Minnesota
Minnesota has no law on the books requiring trucks to carry tire
chains.
Nevada [
website ]
Nevada requires you to carry tire chains for at least two wheels
of a drive axle and two braking wheels of a trailer. Call (775)
793-1313 for information on all northern Nevada roads.
North Dakota has no tire chain laws.
Oregon [
website ]
Oregon's tire chain law is specific and applies to all highways
throughout the state. The law states that in addition to chaining
the drive axle, tractors with one trailer must have tire chains
on four tires of the primary drive axle, and if pulling two trailers,
tire chains must be on four tires of the primary drive axle. When
equipped with a secondary drive axle, chain two tires of the secondary
drive axle. Questions about chain laws and current regulations,
call the Oregon DOT (Ashland, OR) (541) 482-4344 or the Salem office
at (503) 986-3005.
Utah
Utah has no specific law stating trucks must carry tire chains,
but the office of the Utah Highway Patrol would like to see truckers
carry chains between Nov. 1 and Mar. 31.
Washington [
website ]
The Washington tire chain laws are specific and complicated. The
numbers of tire chains truckers are required to carry depend on
the number of drive axles. WADOT suggests giving Motor Carrier Services
a call at (800) 562-6902 about their chain up requirements. trucks
must carry tire chains from Nov. 1 to Apr.1 on certain routes.
Wisconsin has no tire chain requirement, and do allow trucks
to use them in slippery conditions.
Wyoming [
website ]
Wyoming's law states that travel on a highway may be restricted
to all wheel drive vehicles or motor vehicles equipped with tire
chains or adequate snow tires when the superintendent or his authorized
representative determines that travel is sufficiently hazardous
due to snow, ice, or other conditions.
Source: The
Class A Truckstop
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