North Dakota Tire Chain Laws

How North Dakota handles chains

North Dakota has no chain law for trucks. Chains of reasonable proportions are legal, 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 on a closed road costs $250, and going around a closed gate is a Class A misdemeanor. Studs run October 15 to April 15. Check ND Roads or call 511 before you roll.

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: Tire chains of reasonable proportions are legal. State law does not specifically address cable chains or textile traction socks like AutoSock. 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. The Highway Patrol or local law enforcement can close a road for hazardous conditions. Once the closure is announced, driving on it carries a $250 fee (NDCC 39-10-21.1; NDCC 39-06.1-06). Passing through, over, or around the barricades or warning signs of a closed state highway is a separate offense. It is a Class A misdemeanor (NDCC 24-03-05), up to $3,000, 360 days in jail, or both (NDCC 12.1-32-01).

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