Are Studded Tires Legal in Your State?

Alabama permits drivers to equip metal studded or spiked tires when required for safety due to weather conditions that may cause a vehicle to skid.

Alaska permits drivers to equip tires with metal studs during specific date periods, which vary based on where you are driving.

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Drivers can only equip metal studded tires in Arizona from October 1 through May 1.

Arkansas permits drivers to use metal studded tires, but they cannot protrude more than 1/16" and can only be used from November 15 to April 15.

Tires with metal studs are permitted in California from November 1 to April 30 (or all year if the studs retract when not in use). Studded tires are not considered an "alternative traction device" in California and cannot be substituted for snow chains when chain control laws are in effect.

Colorado allows metal-studded tires on single-tired passenger vehicles and other single-tired vehicles with a rated capacity of up to 1,500 lbs. The studs must not project more than 1/16" from the tire treads.

Drivers in Connecticut may equip tires with metal studs between November 15 and April 13 each year.

Studded tires are only permitted on Delaware state highways from October 15 to April 15.

Florida doesn't permit traction devices made of metal, so only tires with rubber studs can be used.

Georgia permits drivers to equip metal studded or spiked tires when required for safety due to weather conditions that may cause a vehicle to skid.

Hawaii only permits the use of metal studded tires on the Mauna Kea access road above Hale Pohaku. Vehicles traveling to the mountain summit must also be 4-wheel drive.

Metal studded tires are allowed in Idaho from October 1 to April 30 when required for safety due to weather, provided that they "will not unduly damage the highway." Tires with retractable studs can be equipped year-round, provided the studs are retracted when not in use and during the prohibited date period.

Illinois prohibits tires with metal studs for most drivers. However, from November 15 to April 1, studded tires may be used by (1) rural USPS letter carriers or (2) motor vehicle owners who reside in unincorporated areas and display a disability license plate.

Indiana permits vehicles to have tires with metal studs from October 1 to May 1, provided the studs do not exceed 3/32" beyond the tire tread. Tires with retractable studs may be used year-round as long as the studs remain retracted during the prohibited date period.

Iowa also allows vehicle owners to equip tires with metal studs between November 3 and April 1, but the studs may not project from the tire tread by more than 1/16"

Drivers of passenger vehicles can legally equip metal studded tires on Kansas roadways only between November 1 and April 1. Studs cannot project less than 0.04" or more than 0.09", which is 0.5/16" to 1.5/16" on a ruler, respectively. Additionally, there must be a minimum of 32 studs per device.

Kentucky permits the use of metal-studded tires on ice-covered roads, provided the tire width is 6" or more.

Except for snow chains, Louisiana prohibits the use of tire traction devices not made of rubber, including tires with metal studs.

Tires with studs and spikes are prohibited on Maine roadways from May 1 to October 1, unless they are the retractable variety and not used during this period. The state's commissioner of transportation has the authority to extend the use period (October 2 to April 30) if weather conditions warrant and/or issue use permits for special use cases (fees apply).

Maryland prohibits the use of metal studded tires statewide, except from November 1 through March 31 for vehicles registered in Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties.

Massachusetts permits the use of metal studded tires on public roads from November 2 to April 30.

Michigan's stance on metal studded tires is a conundrum, to say the least. Tires with metal studs are supposed to be permitted by state law. However, a legal hurdle involving the "pavement wear specification" for these traction devices effectively makes their use prohibited.

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For the most part, Minnesota prohibits tires with metal studs statewide. However, it does have exceptions for rural USPS mail carriers (who must apply for a permit) as well as "occasional" travel by nonresidents whose vehicles are registered in another state or country (like Canada) where studs are normally allowed. The "occasional" nonresident provision only applies to visitors who use the vehicle within Minnesota for no more than 30 days within a 6-month period.

For motor vehicles, Mississippi prohibits the use of tires with studs, spikes, blocks, flanges, or cleats made of any material other than rubber.

Missouri permits drivers to use metal studded tires between November 2 and March 31 only.

Montana permits the use of metal studded tires on most vehicles between October 1 and May 31 each year (school buses can equip them from August 15 to June 15). Studs cannot protrude more than 1/16" from the tire tread. Drivers can use tires with retractable studs year-round, as long as the studs are not used during the prohibited period.

Nebraska permits drivers to use tires with metal studs between November 1 and April 1. The studs must not be more than 5/16" in diameter or protrude beyond the tire tread surface by more than 7/64" (on your ruler, that's just under 1/8").

Nevada permits drivers to use metal studded tires when needed for safety only between October 1 and April 30. Tires with retractable studs can be equipped any time during the year, but the studs cannot be engaged or extended during the prohibited period.

New Hampshire only mandates that vehicles be equipped with tires in safe operating condition, as defined by its state statutes. However, it's laws have no defined restrictions on tire equipment, which means studded tires would be permitted.

New Jersey permits drivers to use metal studded tires between November 15 and April 1 only.

New Mexico doesn't have any date restrictions and permits drivers to use tires with metal studs when required for safety due to hazardous road conditions that can cause a vehicle to skid.

New York permits drivers to use studded tires between October 16 and April 30. Stud casings cannot exceed 3/8" or protrude more than 3/32" from the tread surface. School buses and state or municipal vehicles can use studded tires year-round.

North Carolina permits the use of studded tires for safety due to hazardous road conditions, provided the studs do not project more than 1/16" from the traction surface of the tire when compressed.

North Dakota permits drivers to use tires with metal studs only from October 15 to April 15. The studs cannot project more than 1/16" beyond the tire tread.

Ohio permits the use of studded tires between November 1 and April 15. School buses and public safety vehicles may use them year-round. Drivers can use tires with retractable studs at any time of the year, provided the studs are retracted during the restricted period.

For snowy or icy weather, Oklahoma permits drivers of vehicles with a rated capacity of 2 tons (4,000 lbs.) or less to equip metal studded tires from November 1 to April 1.

Oregon permits the use of studded tires from November 1 to March 31. In designated Snow Zones, studded tires are considered "traction tires" and (along with snow tires) can typically be used instead of snow chains for vehicles with a GVW under 10,000 lbs. when signs indicate chains are required. If Oregon roads are under a Conditional Closure, traction tires may be deemed insufficient to proceed.

Drivers are allowed to use tire studs and ice grips in Pennsylvania only between November 1 and April 15. The state governor has the authority to extend this period by executive order if necessary due to weather conditions. Violations outside of this period may result in a fine of $35 to $55, based on how late in the prohibited period the violation occurs. The studs or ice grips cannot extend more than 1/16" from the tire treads.

Vehicle owners can only equip studded tires in Rhode Island between November 15 and April 1. The studs must be flat-headed and not protrude more than 1/16" beyond the tire tread.

South Carolina permits the use of studded tires on any vehicle when required for increased safety. The studs must not project from the tire surface more than 1/16" when compressed.

South Dakota allows the use of studded tires from October 1 to April 30. Retractable studs can be used year-round but must not be extended from May 1 to September 30.

Tennessee prohibits the use of studded tires on vehicles with a GVW over 9,000 lbs. For other vehicles, drivers may use studded tires to improve traction on snow and ice between October 1 and April 15.

Except for snow chains, Texas prohibits the use of tire traction devices not made of rubber, including tires with metal studs.

Utah prohibits the use of studded tires on vehicles weighing over 9,000 lbs. However, all other vehicles are permitted to use studded tires from October 15 to March 31. The studs must not project beyond the tire tread by more than 0.05".

Vermont permits drivers to use studded tires for travel during winter weather.

Virginia prohibits the use of studded tires on vehicles weighing over 10,000 lbs. However, all other vehicles are permitted to use studded tires from October 15 to April 15. The studs must not project beyond the tire tread by more than 1/16".

Washington prohibits studded tires on vehicles weighing over 10,000 lbs., excluding school buses and fire trucks. All other vehicles are permitted to use studded tires from November 1 to March 31 for safe travel on winter roads.

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Vehicles in Washington, D.C., are permitted to have studded tires from October 15 to April 15. The studs must not project beyond the tire tread by more than 1/8".

West Virginia permits studded tires from November 1 to April 15. However, excluding school buses, they cannot be used on tires with air pressure exceeding 40 PSI.

Wisconsin generally prohibits the use of metal-studded tires for most vehicles, but there are some exceptions. Studded tires are allowed on emergency vehicles, school buses, and vehicles used for mail delivery. Additionally, out-of-state vehicles passing through Wisconsin temporarily (for no more than 30 days) may also use studded tires. Studs must not project more than 1/8" from the tire treads.

Wyoming permits drivers to use metal studded tires that do not materially injure the surface of highway.