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Trucking Laws · Multi-state ·

Truck Chain Laws by State: Rules, Fines and Chain Up Tips

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A trucker in an orange safety jacket kneels to put tire chains on a red semi on a snowy mountain road
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Truckers do not need tire chains in every state. Chain and traction rules are state laws, mostly in western mountain states, and most apply only when chain controls are posted. Colorado, Washington and Montana also set carry seasons when certain trucks must carry chains or traction devices on listed routes. Verified rules are below for California, Colorado, Washington, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Vermont, South Dakota, Georgia and Pennsylvania, plus the states where no requirement was found.

The full state reference is on the truck laws by state page. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check the posted signs before every winter trip.

How chain and traction laws work for truckers

There are three main kinds of rules:

Under 49 CFR 392.14, "Extreme caution" is required when snow, ice or other hazards affect visibility or traction, and operation "shall be discontinued" if conditions become sufficiently dangerous. Bad weather can also add up to two hours of driving under the adverse driving conditions exception in 49 CFR 395.1(b)(1). See the ELD and hours of service rules explained and the hours of service break calculator.

States with truck chain laws

These rules were checked against official sources on Oct 25, 2026. Earlier open questions on Alaska, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah and Oregon's carry rule are resolved below. Only Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico and Tennessee remain unverified, because only unofficial copies of their laws could be read.

At a glance:

California chain law for trucks

Caltrans says California "does not have any specific dates when vehicles are required to carry chains." When the road is posted with a sign requiring chains, "all heavy-duty vehicles (over 6,500 pounds gross weight) must be equipped with chains mounted on the tires in order to proceed."

Which tires, from the Caltrans chain requirements chart:

Caltrans says the speed limit when chains are required is 25 or 30 miles an hour. For stops, see the California truck stop and weigh station map.

Full entry: California truck laws.

Colorado chain law for trucks

Colorado's Senate Bill 24-100, in effect since Aug 7, 2024, expanded its carry law. According to the Colorado State Patrol, "annually, from September 1 to May 31, all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) over 16,000 pounds must carry four snow chains or adequate alternate traction devices." The rule covers I-70 west of Morrison and six other mountain highways. CDOT Freight lists the corridors:

When the commercial vehicle chain law is active, CDOT Freight says trucks need "chains or approved alternate traction devices (ATDs) on at least four of the drive wheel tires, or all of the drive wheel tires if the vehicle has fewer than four drive wheel tires." Fines can reach up to $500, or $1,000 if a truck is stuck and blocking the road, plus surcharges, according to the Colorado State Patrol and CDOT. See the Colorado truck stop and weigh station map.

Full entry: Colorado truck laws.

Washington chain law for trucks

Under WAC 204-24-050, vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR "must carry sufficient tire chains" from Nov 1 to Apr 1 each year on designated mountain routes, not statewide. There is a local delivery exemption. The listed routes are:

The same rule says a 5-axle tractor with tandem drive and a tandem semi-trailer must chain "a minimum of four tires on the drive axles," plus one tire on either of the trailer's last two axles. All vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR "must carry a minimum of two extra chains," and "Plastic chains will not be allowed." See the Washington truck stop and weigh station map.

Full entry: Washington truck laws.

Montana chain law for trucks

Under MCA 61-9-436, from Oct 1 to Apr 30, a motor truck of 26,001 GVW or more towing a trailer must "carry in the vehicle approved traction control devices" on a mountain pass or a similar stretch of highway designated by the Montana Department of Transportation. It is a carry rule, and four wheel drive vehicles are exempt. The fine is "$225 for a first offense and not less than $225 or more than $500 for subsequent offenses." Montana law also permits chains when required for safety (MCA 61-9-406).

Full entry: Montana truck laws.

Oregon chain law for trucks

Oregon's chain law "applies to all highways throughout the state," according to ODOT's TripCheck. When chains are required, "You must use chains if your vehicle is towing or rated more than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW)." When carry chains signs are posted, those vehicles must carry chains, and traction tires do not substitute. There is no carry season. ORS 815.140 makes it an offense to drive on a highway posted for traction tires or chains without them. It is a Class C traffic violation. For vehicles registered under ORS chapter 826 (commercial and prorated vehicles): "The presumptive fine for failure to use vehicle traction tires or chains is $880." See the Oregon truck stop and weigh station map.

Full entry: Oregon truck laws.

Nevada chain law for trucks

Under NRS 484D.520, when chains are posted, a vehicle over 10,000 pounds must have tire chains. NRS 484D.525 puts them on at least two driving wheels, plus two braking wheels of any trailer that has brakes. Mechanical chain devices are allowed under NRS 484D.530 if the cross members cover at least 85 percent of the tire width, and only on drive axles. See the Nevada truck stop and weigh station map.

Full entry: Nevada truck laws.

Wyoming chain law for trucks

When WYDOT activates its Level 2 chain law, commercial vehicles must chain two drive wheels on the same axle. Wyoming Statute 31-5-956 says: "The operator of a commercial vehicle shall affix tire chains to at least two (2) of the drive wheels of the vehicle at opposite ends of the same drive axle." The penalty is not more than $250, or not more than $750 if the violation causes an incident that closes all lanes in one or both directions. The statute counts other traction devices that give traction equal to or better than metal chains. See the Wyoming truck stop and weigh station map.

Full entry: Wyoming truck laws.

Idaho chain law for trucks

Idaho Code 49-948 covers Lookout Pass and Fourth of July Pass on I-90 and Lolo Pass on SH-12. When the Idaho Transportation Department finds conditions unsafe, it "may establish requirements for the use of chains on all commercial vehicles." Studded tires are not allowed from May 1 to Sep 30. See the Idaho truck stop and weigh station map.

Full entry: Idaho truck laws.

Utah chain law for trucks

Under Utah Administrative Rule R920-6, when road conditions warrant, as determined by UDOT, the Utah Highway Patrol or a designated local police agency, vehicles over 12,000 GVW on Class I traction segments "shall be traction device equipped." On Class II segments, all vehicles must be traction device equipped or have four wheel drive. Traction device equipped means "traction devices on all drive tires," except that on dual tires, a device is required on at least one of the two tires in each dual mounting.

Full entry: Utah truck laws.

Vermont and South Dakota chain rules

Georgia and Pennsylvania winter emergency rules

During a declared winter state of emergency, on roads declared limited access, Georgia law requires commercial vehicles with four or more drive wheels to chain "each of the outermost drive wheel tires." Buses chain two. Causing a crash or blocking traffic without chains can bring a fine of up to $1,000 (O.C.G.A. 32-6-5). Full entry: Georgia truck laws.

During winter weather events, PennDOT can set tiered restrictions.

Full entry: Pennsylvania truck laws.

States with no chain requirement found

No state chain requirement was found in Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Some of these states limit when or where chains may be used; see the truck laws by state page for details. None was found in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico or Tennessee either, but only unofficial copies of their laws could be read.

Alaska has no chain mandate, but bans chains and studded tires on paved roads in summer (AS 28.35.155). Oklahoma has no chain requirement and permits chains only on vehicles rated up to 2 tons, from Nov 1 to Apr 1 (47 O.S. 12-405).

Chaining up a semi: where to stop, installers and speed

For official chain up tips, see CDOT Freight's chain up tips and WSDOT's tire chain installation page.

Where to chain up and take chains off

Caltrans says to "pull completely off the roadway to the right. Do not stop in a traffic lane." There is usually about a mile between "Chains Required" signs and the checkpoint. Remove chains after the "End of Chain Control" signs, at a pull-off.

Chain installers

In Washington, WSDOT says permitted chain installers "are not required to respond so all drivers should be able to install their own tire chains." For large trucks over 10,000 GVW, WSDOT lists installation at $25 per tire chained and removal at $5 per tire. Practice with your own chains before winter.

Driving on chains

California is the only state found with an official chained speed limit: 25 or 30 miles an hour. Elsewhere, obey posted limits.

Winter trip checklist for truckers

Check road conditions before you go

Official road condition sites:

The truck stop and weigh station map shows places to wait out a closure. Related news: the Maryland and Delaware snow and ice removal law.

More tools are on the trucking tools page, including the truck laws by state reference.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Chain laws, routes, dates and fines can change, so check the current state rules, the posted signs and your carrier's policy.

FAQ

Which states require truckers to carry chains?

Colorado, Washington and Montana. Colorado covers commercial vehicles over 16,000 pounds from Sep 1 to May 31 on seven corridors. Washington covers vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR from Nov 1 to Apr 1. Montana covers trucks of 26,001 GVW or more towing a trailer from Oct 1 to Apr 30. Oregon also posts carry chains signs.

How many chains does a semi truck need?

It depends on the state. Colorado's carry law calls for four chains or adequate traction devices, and Washington's calls for sufficient chains plus two extra. When chains are required, Colorado calls for at least four drive tires, Washington four on a 5-axle tandem drive rig, Nevada and Wyoming two drive wheels, and Utah all drive tires on Class I segments.

Are alternative traction devices legal instead of chains?

In some states. California allows them but may require extra chains on outside wheels. Colorado accepts approved alternate traction devices. Washington requires regular chains for the outside drive tires if automatic chains are used. Nevada allows mechanical devices on drive axles. Wyoming counts devices with traction equal to metal chains. Elsewhere, check the state's rules.

What is the fine for not chaining up?

It varies by state. Oregon's presumptive fine for commercial vehicles is $880. Colorado fines reach $500, or $1,000 if a truck blocks the road. Vermont's civil penalty is $1,000, Montana's carry fine is $225 for a first offense, and Wyoming's fine is up to $250, or $750 if lanes close. Georgia's reaches $1,000 for causing a crash or blocking traffic.

What does "chain controls in effect" mean?

It means the road is posted with signs requiring chains or traction devices. In California, once chains are required, all heavy-duty vehicles over 6,500 pounds gross weight must have chains mounted on the tires to proceed. Caltrans uses requirement levels R-1, R-2 and R-3. Other states set their own thresholds and tire rules.

How fast can you drive with chains on?

California is the only state found with an official chained speed limit: Caltrans says the limit when chains are required is 25 or 30 miles an hour. In other states, obey the posted limits. Federal rules also say speed shall be reduced when snow, ice or other hazards affect visibility or traction.

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