Wisconsin Tire Chain Laws

How Wisconsin handles chains

Wisconsin has no chain law for trucks. Chains are permitted, not required (Wis. Stat. 347.45). You may run chains of reasonable proportion when snow or ice would make you skid, and you take them off once the road clears so they don't chew bare pavement. No DOT sign ever posts R-1, R-2, or a Chains Required order here. Drive to conditions, slow down, and check 511 Wisconsin.

When, where, and what counts

• When required: Chains are optional. There is no seasonal activation and no chain-control system. Wisconsin DOT never posts R-1/R-2/R-3 or 'Chains Required' signs. You may run chains any time snow or ice would make a vehicle skid, then remove them when the road clears.
• Where: No mandate anywhere. Traction help is voluntary in the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan snow belts and on grades along US 2, US 51, and I-39/90/94. Wisconsin has no mountain passes and no chain-control corridors.
• Applies to: No CMV chain mandate and no weight threshold. The tire-equipment statute applies to all vehicles equally, and only when a driver chooses to run chains for safety.
• Chains vs traction devices: Chains of reasonable proportion are allowed (Wis. Stat. 347.45); cable chains qualify. Chains must not stay on bare pavement. Nothing is mandatory, so AutoSock and other traction devices are neither required nor barred, and no weight threshold forces real chains.
• Check the live order: 511 Wisconsin (511wi.gov) or the Wisconsin DOT winter road-conditions map for live conditions. There is no chain-control order to look up, because the state does not issue one.
• Fine: No chain-up fine, because chains aren't required. Running chains on bare pavement or otherwise misusing tire equipment is an equipment violation with no fixed chain-up dollar figure in the statute.

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