North Carolina Studded Tire Law
North Carolina lets you run studded tires year-round on any vehicle, with no season and no GVW weight cap, provided the studs project no more than 1/16 inch beyond the tread when compressed (N.C.G.S. 20-122). Chains are permitted when snow or ice calls for them, but no sign or order requires them, even in the mountains. No winter-tire mandate exists. A violation is an equipment infraction, roughly $100 plus costs.
Running studs in North Carolina
North Carolina lets you run studded tires year-round on any vehicle, with no season and no GVW weight cap, provided the studs project no more than 1/16 inch beyond the tread when compressed (N.C.G.S. 20-122). Chains are permitted when snow or ice calls for them, but no sign or order requires them, even in the mountains. No winter-tire mandate exists. A violation is an equipment infraction, roughly $100 plus costs.
The window and winter-tire rules
- Season: No seasonal limit. Studs are legal in any month if they project no more than 1/16 inch beyond the tread when compressed (N.C.G.S. §20-122).
- No M+S/3PMSF winter-tire law and no chain order. NCDOT posts no Chains Required signs. Tire chains of reasonable proportions are simply permitted on any vehicle when snow, ice, or skid conditions require them for safety (N.C.G.S. 20-122(b)), and the western climbs on I-40, I-26, and US-74 are where you would chain by choice. Studs carry a 1/16-inch projection cap but no weight limit. See the North Carolina chain-law page.
North Carolina Studded Tire FAQ
Are studded tires legal in North Carolina?
When can you use studded tires in North Carolina?
What is the fine for illegal studded tires in North Carolina?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20-122.html. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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