Kentucky Tire Chain Laws
Kentucky has no chain-up law for trucks. Chains are allowed, not required. State law lets you run tire chains of reasonable proportions when snow or ice makes them needed for safety, with cross chains no more than 3/4 inch thick and spaced under 10 inches (KRS 189.190). No R-1 levels or 'Chains Required' signs get posted here. Do not chain on bare pavement. Check goky.ky.gov before an eastern mountain grade.
How Kentucky handles chains
Kentucky has no chain-up law for trucks. Chains are allowed, not required. State law lets you run tire chains of reasonable proportions when snow or ice makes them needed for safety, with cross chains no more than 3/4 inch thick and spaced under 10 inches (KRS 189.190). No R-1 levels or 'Chains Required' signs get posted here. Do not chain on bare pavement. Check goky.ky.gov before an eastern mountain grade.
When, where, and what counts
- When required: Optional. Kentucky activates no chain order and posts no chain-control or 'Chains Required' signs. You may run chains for traction during snow and ice. You are never ordered to.
- Where: No mandate anywhere. The eastern mountains are where you would chain by choice: Pine Mountain on US-23, I-75 over Jellico Mountain near the Tennessee line, and the Cumberland grades.
- Applies to: No CMV chain mandate. The permissive rule applies to any vehicle, with no weight threshold.
- Chains vs traction devices: Chains of reasonable proportions are allowed when snow or ice makes them needed for safety. Cross chains must be no more than 3/4 inch thick and spaced no more than 10 inches around the tire (KRS 189.190). Do not run metal chains on bare, dry pavement. No posted device levels exist, so cable chains or AutoSock are a driver choice, not a state-graded pass.
- Check the live order: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet road conditions at goky.ky.gov. Kentucky retired its 511 phone line, so use the GoKY website.
- Fine: No chain-up fine, because chains are not required. Running metal chains on bare, dry pavement can draw a general equipment violation.
Kentucky Chain Law FAQ
Does Kentucky have a tire chain law?
When are chains required in Kentucky?
Where do Kentucky's chain requirements apply?
Does Kentucky accept AutoSock or alternative traction devices?
Reference information for planning, not legal advice. Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it. Last reviewed July 2026. Source: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=6319. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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