North Dakota Studded Tire Law
Run metal studs October 15 to April 15 (NDCC 39-21-40). Keep studs to 1/16-inch projection past the tread; school buses get studs year-round, everyone else sticks to the window. No weight cap here, so a loaded rig can legally run studs in season. Off-season studs are a noncriminal equipment ticket, roughly a $20 fee. North Dakota has no mandatory chain law, but studs still are not chains.
Running studs in North Dakota
Run metal studs October 15 to April 15 (NDCC 39-21-40). Keep studs to 1/16-inch projection past the tread; school buses get studs year-round, everyone else sticks to the window. No weight cap here, so a loaded rig can legally run studs in season. Off-season studs are a noncriminal equipment ticket, roughly a $20 fee. North Dakota has no mandatory chain law, but studs still are not chains.
The window and winter-tire rules
- Season: October 15 to April 15 (NDCC 39-21-40). School buses may run studs any time of year.
- No M+S or 3PMSF traction-tire law and no mandatory chain law — the Highway Patrol confirms North Dakota does not require chains, so chains are optional gear you carry for safety. Studs are equipment, not a chain: if a sign or DOT order ever calls for chains, in-season studs do not satisfy it. See the North Dakota chain-law page.
North Dakota Studded Tire FAQ
Are studded tires legal in North Dakota?
When can you use studded tires in North Dakota?
What is the fine for illegal studded tires in North Dakota?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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.statepatrol.nd.gov/node/120. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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