Utah Tire Chain Laws

How Utah handles chains

A traction law violation is an infraction under Utah Code 41-6a-715(6), with a suggested fine of $110 ($130 if cited under 41-6a-304) and a $750 cap. The Traction Law has no fixed season. UDOT switches it on up to 24 hours before a storm on designated segments: Class 1 on I-15, I-70, US-6, and US-191; Class 2 on I-80 Parleys Canyon and US-40; Class 3 on SR-190 and SR-210. At 12,000 pounds GVWR or more on a Class 1 segment you need traction devices on all rear drive tires. Check the UDOT Traffic app.

When, where, and what counts

• When required: No fixed season. UDOT decides when adverse or predicted adverse weather calls for the Traction Law and can post it up to 24 hours before a storm arrives. UDOT notifies the Utah Highway Patrol and local police, and UDOT, UHP, or local police can enforce it and restrict traffic (R920-6-4). The active class shows on signs, message boards, the UDOT Traffic app, and 511.
• Where: UDOT designates traction segments by traffic engineering order and lists them on its Traction Law Segment Map (R920-6-3). Class 1 (12,000 pounds GVWR or more): I-15 at Black Ridge northbound (MP 34-37), MP 100-109, MP 120-130, MP 134-146, and Scipio (MP 178-188); I-70 from Cove Fort to Clear Creek Canyon (MP 0-17), east of Salina (MP 60-90), Lone Tree to Moore (MP 108-117), and Spotted Wolf (MP 138-146); US-6 from Spanish Fork to Helper (MP 179-232); US-191 in Indian Canyon, from Steinaker Reservoir to Greendale, and in San Juan County (MP 60-86); SR-189 Provo Canyon; US-89 southbound from I-84 to Antelope Drive; and SR-12, SR-14, SR-20, SR-24, SR-31, and SR-264. Class 2 (all vehicles): I-80 through Parleys Canyon (MP 132-143); US-40 from the Summit and Wasatch County line to SR-32 (westbound and northbound) and Daniels Canyon; US-89 Logan Canyon; US-89/91 Sardine Canyon; and SR-30, SR-44, SR-92, SR-143, SR-153, SR-158, SR-224 Empire Pass, and SR-226. The Cottonwood Canyons on SR-210 (Little Cottonwood) and SR-190 (Big Cottonwood) carry the stricter Class 3 designation.
• Applies to: On Class 1 segments, vehicles with a GVWR of 12,000 pounds or more. Class 2 and Class 3 segments apply to all vehicles, and a vehicle at 12,000 pounds or more without AWD or 4WD still needs devices on all rear drive tires, one per dual pair (R920-6-3(2)). UDOT or police can bar commercial vehicles from a Class 3 segment even when they comply, and can run a Class 2 segment as Class 1 or a Class 3 segment as Class 1 or 2 (R920-6-3(3)).
• Chains vs traction devices: A heavy truck can use metal chains, cable chains, or snow socks. The rule also counts tire studs as traction devices (R920-6-2), but studs are barred on vehicles over 9,000 pounds GVWR other than emergency vehicles and school buses, and are limited to October 15 through March 31 (Utah Code 41-6a-1636). On a Class 1 segment a rig at 12,000 pounds GVWR or more needs devices on all rear drive tires unless it is AWD or 4WD running M+S or 3PMSF tires. On dual tires, one tire in each pair needs a device. Class 3 in the Cottonwood Canyons adds a 5/32-inch tread minimum for vehicles that run M+S or 3PMSF tires instead of devices. Snow tires alone do not clear a heavy truck on a Class 1 segment.
• Check the live order: The UDOT Traffic app and udottraffic.utah.gov (Utah 511) for the active Traction Law; UDOT road-condition pages, the UDOT Traction Law Segment Map, and message boards on designated segments.
• Fine: A traction law violation is an infraction (Utah Code 41-6a-715(6)). The 2026 Uniform Fine Schedule suggests $110 under 41-6a-715, security surcharge included, with no mandatory court appearance. If the citation is written under 41-6a-304 (failure to obey a traffic-control device), the suggested fine is $130. The schedule adds $50 if you do not pay or appear within 14 days and another $75 after 40 days. The legal maximum for any infraction is $750 (Utah Code 76-3-301). Confirm the current schedule before you rely on a number.

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