New Mexico Studded Tire Law
No seasonal limit. New Mexico lets you run snow tires with metal studs any month, as long as they're designed to increase traction on ice or snow (NMSA 66-3-847). There's no GVW cap, so a loaded truck can run studs year-round. But studs are not chains: when New Mexico posts a chain requirement on a mountain pass, chain up — studs don't satisfy it.
Running studs in New Mexico
No seasonal limit. New Mexico lets you run snow tires with metal studs any month, as long as they're designed to increase traction on ice or snow (NMSA 66-3-847). There's no GVW cap, so a loaded truck can run studs year-round. But studs are not chains: when New Mexico posts a chain requirement on a mountain pass, chain up — studs don't satisfy it.
The window and winter-tire rules
- Season: No seasonal limit. Metal-studded snow tires are legal year-round when required for safety on ice or snow (NMSA 66-3-847). The general rule bars non-rubber protuberances beyond the tread, with an express carve-out for snow tires with metal studs designed for ice/snow traction.
- No statewide winter-tire (M+S/3PMSF) mandate. Chains or traction devices may be required when posted on mountain passes; studs are not chains and do not satisfy a posted chain order — see the New Mexico chain-law page. Studs must be part of a snow tire designed for ice/snow traction. Truck weight cap: none, studs legal for trucks year-round.
New Mexico Studded Tire FAQ
Are studded tires legal in New Mexico?
When can you use studded tires in New Mexico?
What is the fine for illegal studded tires in New Mexico?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://codes.findlaw.com/nm/chapter-66-motor-vehicles/nm-st-sect-66-3-847/. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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