Arizona Tire Chain Laws

How Arizona handles chains

Arizona has no chain law for trucks or cars. State law only permits chains of reasonable proportions for safety (ARS 28-958). ADOT recommends chains or four-wheel drive when a storm hits on high-country highways such as I-17, US-180, SR-87 and SR-260. When a road can no longer be kept safe, ADOT closes it instead of enforcing chains. ADOT's winter storm manual says Arizona has no regulation mandating chain use. There is no chain fine. Check az511.gov before you climb.

When, where, and what counts

• When required: No fixed season, and no legally binding chain order. During storms ADOT recommends chains or four-wheel drive on snowy or icy highways and posts conditions on az511.gov and its electronic message signs. When ADOT decides it can no longer keep a road safe, it closes the road. ADOT's Know Snow page mentions chains 'as recommended, required or both', but no statute or rule backs a requirement. ADOT's operations manual says Arizona has no regulation mandating chain use, and ADOT does not enforce chain recommendations.
• Where: Nothing is legally required anywhere. ADOT's storm releases name I-17, US-180, SR-87 and SR-260 among the high-country highways where chains or 4WD are likely to be recommended. ADOT closes some corridors short term during storms, such as SR-89A and US-180, and keeps others closed all season, such as SR-67, SR-473, SR-261 and SR-273. There is no standing statewide requirement.
• Applies to: No truck or car is required to mount or carry chains, commercial or passenger. ARS 28-958 permits tire chains of reasonable proportions on any vehicle, but only when snow, ice or other conditions that cause skidding make them needed for safety. ADOT recommends chains or 4WD in storms and closes roads when conditions get too severe.
• Chains vs traction devices: ARS 28-958 permits tire chains of reasonable proportions and does not spell out a type. It does not name cable chains, link chains or textile devices such as AutoSock, so no statute says which qualify. Studded tires are legal October 1 to May 1 if studs or other metal cover no more than three percent of the tire's road contact. ADOT issues no enforceable chain order. It recommends chains or four-wheel drive, and its Know Snow page advises snow tires, chains or studded tires on snowy, icy roads.
• Check the live order: az511.gov or the AZ511 app for live conditions and closures. ADOT's Know Snow and Ice page and @ArizonaDOT post storm updates.
• Fine: No chain fine, because Arizona has no chain requirement. Driving without chains does not violate ARS 28-958. That section penalizes studs and other non-rubber protrusions beyond its exceptions, such as metal studs run outside October 1 to May 1. A violation of ARS 28-958 is a civil traffic violation (ARS 28-1521). The civil penalty is capped at $250, and the court must add surcharges (ARS 28-1598). Each justice court sets its own deposit schedule (ARS 22-314), so there is no single statewide amount.

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