Maryland Tire Chain Laws

How Maryland handles chains

Maryland has no chain law for trucks. On a signposted snow emergency route with a snow emergency declared, you may not drive unless the vehicle is equipped with chains or snow tires on at least one wheel at each end of a driving axle (Md. Transp. 21-1119). Snow tires alone satisfy the rule, so you are not forced to chain, but chains in the box do not. Off those routes chains are permitted for safety (22-405.2). Check Maryland 511 at chart.maryland.gov for declared emergencies.

When, where, and what counts

• When required: No chain mandate for trucks. The traction rule applies only on a signposted snow emergency route while a snow emergency is declared and in effect. Then you may not drive that route unless the vehicle is equipped with chains or snow tires on at least one wheel at each end of a driving axle (Md. Transp. 21-1119). Chains stowed in the box do not count. Off those routes, or with no emergency declared, chains are optional.
• Where: No chain mandate anywhere. The chains or snow tires rule covers signposted snow emergency routes during a declared snow emergency. The State Highway Administration can designate any State highway as a snow emergency route with the county's approval, and the Secretary of State Police can declare an emergency for all routes or only some. There is no mountain-pass chain zone. Voluntary traction is most useful on I-68 over Big Savage Mountain, I-70, and I-81.
• Applies to: No CMV chain mandate. The snow emergency route rule covers all motor vehicles except motorcycles during a declared emergency, with no truck-specific rule. No weight threshold, so the rule binds cars and CMVs alike.
• Chains vs traction devices: The rule is satisfied by chains or snow tires mounted on at least one wheel at each end of a driving axle (21-1119). Snow tires are an accepted substitute, so a heavy truck is not forced to run chains, but carrying chains in the box satisfies nothing. Snow tires means tires in good repair that meet one of three tests: the maker designates them as snow tires, the MVA Administrator approves them as just as effective, or the tread has antiskid patterns cut into it to form bars, buttons, or blocks specially designed for traction on snow or ice (21-1119(a)). MDOT SHA notes that most cars now run all-weather tires, so changing to snow tires is unnecessary. AutoSock is not named. Cable chains are legal to run for safety elsewhere.
• Check the live order: Maryland 511 and CHARTWeb at chart.maryland.gov (md511.maryland.gov now redirects there). The Snow Emergency Plans page lists active and recently lifted snow emergencies county by county, with route exceptions. Maryland State Police barracks announce county activations at news.maryland.gov/msp.
• Fine: $70 and 1 point for driving a signposted snow emergency route during an emergency without the required chains or snow tires, or $110 and 3 points if it contributes to an accident (21-1119(d)). Parking on a snow emergency route during an emergency is $70 with no points, and the vehicle may be towed (21-1119(e)). These District Court preset amounts took effect October 1, 2025, and include a $7.50 Special Funds surcharge. The statutory maximum for a Vehicle Law misdemeanor is $500 (27-101(b)).

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