New York Tire Chain Laws

How New York handles chains

New York has no chain-up law for trucks. On a designated snow emergency route, when a snow emergency is declared, you need snow tires and/or chains (V.T.L. 145-c), so chains are one option, never strictly required. There is no R-1/R-2 pass system. The real tool is the storm truck ban. The Thruway Authority bans tandem and empty tractor-trailers, or all commercial vehicles, on I-90 and I-87 and can hold trucks to the right lane. A state emergency order has banned them on I-84 too. Check 511NY before you roll.

When, where, and what counts

• When required: No standing chain mandate. On a designated snow emergency route, when a snow emergency is declared, a vehicle needs snow tires and/or chains (V.T.L. 145-c), so chains are one option and never strictly required. During storms the Thruway Authority bans tandem and empty tractor-trailers, or all commercial vehicles, on Thruway roads and can hold commercial trucks to the right lane. Bans on other highways, such as I-84, come through a state emergency order or NYSDOT. There is no R-1/R-2 pass system.
• Where: Snow emergency routes are set by the state or a municipality. Thruway Authority bans hit Thruway roads, including I-90, I-87, I-287, and I-190. Other storm bans have hit I-84, I-86 from the Pennsylvania line to I-390, NY 219 from the Pennsylvania line to I-90, and downstate corridors. No mountain-pass chain-up system exists. For voluntary traction, the Southern Tier and Adirondack grades are the worst.
• Applies to: The snow-emergency-route rule applies to all vehicles on a designated route during a declared emergency. Storm truck bans target tandem and empty tractor-trailers or all commercial vehicles, loaded single-trailer trucks included, and can restrict all commercial vehicles to the right lane.
• Chains vs traction devices: Chains satisfy the snow-emergency-route rule, but so do snow tires, so chains are never strictly required. The law does not define chains or say whether link or cable chains qualify (V.T.L. 145-c). Studded tires are legal October 16 through April 30. AutoSock and textile devices are not addressed.
• Check the live order: 511NY at 511ny.org, plus NYSDOT and the New York State Thruway Authority alerts, for the current snow-emergency and truck-ban status.
• Fine: None specific to chains. Snow-emergency-route and equipment violations are traffic infractions (V.T.L. 155, 1800(a)). Most equipment violations, including studded tires used outside October 16 through April 30, carry up to $150, up to 30 days in jail, or both (V.T.L. 375(32)(a)). A snow-emergency-route violation carries up to $150 or 15 days in jail for a first offense, more for repeats within 18 months (V.T.L. 1800(b)(1)). Storm ban orders set no fine. Breaking an order adopted under the Vehicle and Traffic Law is a traffic infraction with the same limits, unless another law makes it a misdemeanor (V.T.L. 1800). Tandem permit holders must comply at once when the Thruway suspends tandem operations for weather, and the Authority can set sanctions or suspend or revoke the permit (Thruway TAP-602).

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