New Hampshire Studded Tire Law
New Hampshire sets no studded-tire season, so you can run metal studs any month. Chapter 266 (Equipment of Vehicles) regulates tire condition and tread depth but writes no stud window and no metal-contact ban (RSA 266:48, 266:50). No GVW cap either, so a loaded truck runs studs year-round. The state has no winter-tire mandate; studs are legal gear, not a chain, so they don't clear a chains-required order.
Running studs in New Hampshire
New Hampshire sets no studded-tire season, so you can run metal studs any month. Chapter 266 (Equipment of Vehicles) regulates tire condition and tread depth but writes no stud window and no metal-contact ban (RSA 266:48, 266:50). No GVW cap either, so a loaded truck runs studs year-round. The state has no winter-tire mandate; studs are legal gear, not a chain, so they don't clear a chains-required order.
The window and winter-tire rules
- Season: No seasonal limit
- New Hampshire has no winter-tire (M+S/3PMSF) mandate. Studs are legal any month but are not a chain or approved traction device — a chains-required order still means chain up. See the New Hampshire chain-law page.
New Hampshire Studded Tire FAQ
Are studded tires legal in New Hampshire?
When can you use studded tires in New Hampshire?
What is the fine for illegal studded tires in New Hampshire?
Reference information for planning, not legal advice. Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it. Last reviewed July 2026. Source: https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/266/266-48.htm. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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