North Dakota Tire Chain Laws

How North Dakota handles chains

Zero. North Dakota has no chain law for trucks. Chains of reasonable proportions are legal when snow or ice can make you skid, but nothing requires them (NDCC 39-21-40). No R-1 or 'Chains Required' signs go up here. When a storm turns bad the DOT posts No Travel Advised and the Highway Patrol closes roads with gates. Driving past a closed gate is a Class A misdemeanor. Studs run October 15 to April 15.

When, where, and what counts

• When required: Optional. Chains help in the winter months but no sign or order ever makes them mandatory. In a blizzard the DOT posts No Travel Advised and the Highway Patrol closes highways with gates. That is a closure, not a chain law.
• Where: No mandate anywhere. If you choose to chain up voluntarily, the rough spots are I-94, I-29, US 2, and US 83 in a blizzard.
• Applies to: None as a requirement. Chains are permitted for every vehicle and no weight class must run them.
• Chains vs traction devices: Chains of reasonable proportions are legal, cable chains included. AutoSock and other textile traction devices are legal to run too. Nothing is mandated, so snow tires stand on their own. Studs allowed October 15 to April 15.
• Check the live order: Check NDDOT's ND Roads map or call 511 before you roll (travel.dot.nd.gov).
• Fine: No chain-law fine. Chains are optional. Driving past a closed road gate is a separate offense. Passing through, over, or around a closed barricade is a Class A misdemeanor (NDCC 24-03-05), up to $3,000 and 360 days in jail (NDCC 12.1-32-01).

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