North Carolina Studded Tire Law
North Carolina lets you run studded tires year-round on any vehicle — no season, 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). In the mountains NCDOT can still order chains in an ice event, and studs don't count as chains. 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 — no season, 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). In the mountains NCDOT can still order chains in an ice event, and studs don't count as chains. 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. NCDOT can require chains/traction in mountain ice events (I-40, I-26, US-74 Appalachian corridors); studs are not chains and don't satisfy a chain order — see the North Carolina chain-law page. Studs carry a 1/16-inch projection cap but no weight limit.
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://codes.findlaw.com/nc/chapter-20-motor-vehicles/nc-gen-st-sect-20-122/. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
More for North Carolina
Check North Carolina before you roll
Live weather, closures, and hazards on one map. Free, no account.
Open Live Map →