Studded Tire Laws by State
Whether metal-stud tires are legal and the seasonal window, for all 50 states and DC. Not tire chains — those have their own section. Reference only, not legal advice.
24Seasonal window
7Legal year-round
14Restricted
6Prohibited
01
The season
Studs are a calendar rule, not a weather rule
In most states, metal studs are legal only inside a seasonal window — often around November 1 to April 1 — and running them a day outside it is a ticket even on dry pavement. A group of cold-weather states allow them year-round, some restrict them by weight or stud type, and a handful ban metal studs entirely. The window and the ban both flip at the state line, so check before you route through.
02
By state
Studded tire rules for all 50 states and DC
Tap a state for the legality, the exact seasonal window, any winter-tire or traction requirement, and the fine.
| State | Studs | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama AL | Restricted | No calendar window |
| Alaska AK | Seasonal window | Studs barred on paved roads May 1 to September 15 north of 60 degrees N latitude |
| Arizona AZ | Seasonal window | October 1 to May 1 |
| Arkansas AR | Seasonal window | November 15 to April 15 |
| California CA | Seasonal window | November 1 to April 30 |
| Colorado CO | Restricted | No seasonal limit (C.R.S. 42-4-228) |
| Connecticut CT | Seasonal window | November 15 to April 30 |
| Delaware DE | Seasonal window | October 15 to April 15 |
| District of Columbia DC | Seasonal window | October 15 to April 15 |
| Florida FL | Restricted | No seasonal limit, but only for studded pneumatic tires whose studs are designed to improve… |
| Georgia GA | Restricted | No calendar window |
| Hawaii HI | Prohibited | Metal studs prohibited year-round |
| Idaho ID | Seasonal window | October 1 to April 30 |
| Illinois IL | Prohibited | Metal studs prohibited year-round for trucks |
| Indiana IN | Seasonal window | October 1 to May 1 |
| Iowa IA | Seasonal window | November 1 to April 1 |
| Kansas KS | Restricted | November 1 to April 1 (K.A.R. 36-7-2) — and only on light vehicles |
| Kentucky KY | Legal year-round | No seasonal limit |
| Louisiana LA | Prohibited | Metal studs prohibited year-round |
| Maine ME | Seasonal window | About October 1 to April 30 (metal studs barred May 1 to October 1 — 29-A M.R.S. §1919) |
| Maryland MD | Restricted | Metal studs banned statewide except vehicles registered in Allegany, Carroll, Frederick |
| Massachusetts MA | Seasonal window | November 1 to April 30 (metal studs barred May 1 to November 1 — M.G.L. c.90 §16) |
| Michigan MI | Prohibited | Metal studs prohibited for trucks year-round |
| Minnesota MN | Prohibited | Metal studs prohibited year-round |
| Mississippi MS | Prohibited | Metal studs prohibited year-round |
| Missouri MO | Seasonal window | November 1 to March 31 |
| Montana MT | Seasonal window | October 1 to May 31 |
| Nebraska NE | Seasonal window | November 1 to April 1 (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,250) |
| Nevada NV | Seasonal window | October 1 to April 30 |
| New Hampshire NH | Legal year-round | No seasonal limit |
| New Jersey NJ | Seasonal window | November 15 to April 1 |
| New Mexico NM | Legal year-round | No seasonal limit |
| New York NY | Seasonal window | October 16 to April 30 (metal studs barred May 1 to October 15 — VAT §375(35-a)) |
| North Carolina NC | Legal year-round | No seasonal limit |
| North Dakota ND | Seasonal window | October 15 to April 15 |
| Ohio OH | Seasonal window | November 1 to April 15 |
| Oklahoma OK | Restricted | November 1 to April 1 (47 O.S. 12-405) |
| Oregon OR | Seasonal window | November 1 to April 1 (ORS 815.165) |
| Pennsylvania PA | Seasonal window | November 1 to April 15 |
| Rhode Island RI | Seasonal window | November 15 to April 1 |
| South Carolina SC | Legal year-round | No seasonal limit |
| South Dakota SD | Seasonal window | Metal studs October 1 to April 30 (SDCL 32-19-3); prohibited May 1 to September 30 |
| Tennessee TN | Restricted | October 1 to April 15 (Tenn. Code §55-9-106) |
| Texas TX | Restricted | No seasonal limit, but studs are legal only if they do not injure the highway |
| Utah UT | Restricted | October 15 to March 31 (Utah Code 41-6a-1636) |
| Vermont VT | Legal year-round | No seasonal limit |
| Virginia VA | Restricted | October 15 to April 15 (Va. Code § 46.2-1044) |
| Washington WA | Restricted | November 1 to April 1 for vehicles under 10,000 lb (season set by RCW 46.37.420) |
| West Virginia WV | Restricted | November 1 to April 15 (W. Va. C.S.R. § 157-5-8) |
| Wisconsin WI | Restricted | No legal window for a truck |
| Wyoming WY | Legal year-round | No seasonal limit |
Sources: the cited state statutes; state DOT; AAA Digest of Motor Laws. Last reviewed July 2026. Governors can extend the window in a hard winter and some counties add rules, so confirm the current dates before you run studs.
Studded Tire Law FAQ
Are studded tires legal?
It depends on the state. Most allow metal studs only in a seasonal window, commonly from around October or November to April. Some cold-weather and western states allow them year-round, a group of states restrict them by weight or stud type, and a handful ban metal studs entirely. Cross a state line and the rule can flip, so check before the season and before you route through.
When can you run studded tires?
In most states the legal window runs from mid-fall to mid-spring, often November 1 to April 1, though the exact dates vary and some governors extend them in a hard winter. Outside the window, studs are a ticket even on dry pavement. Year-round states have no window. The state page has the dates.
Which states ban studded tires?
A handful prohibit metal studs outright, mostly in the South and a few eastern states where snow and ice are rare and studs chew up pavement. Several more allow only rubber or "safety" studs, or limit metal studs to a season or a maximum protrusion. The state page shows whether metal studs are legal and any alternative that is allowed.
Are studded tires the same as tire chains?
No. Studded tires have metal or rubber pins set into the tread for grip on ice; chains are separate devices you strap over the tire in the mountains when a chain law is in effect. A state can ban studs but still require chains, or allow both. See the chain-laws section for chain-control rules and when to carry chains.
03
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