Ohio Studded Tire Law
Studs are legal November 1 to April 15 (ORC 5589.081), and no weight cap blocks a loaded truck. Run them outside that window and it's a minor misdemeanor, up to $150 (ORC 5589.99). Public-safety vehicles and school buses are exempt from the season; retractable studs can stay mounted all year if retracted off-season. The statute date is the enforced date. Chains are legal in snow or ice, and a stud won't satisfy a chain order.
Running studs in Ohio
Studs are legal November 1 to April 15 (ORC 5589.081), and no weight cap blocks a loaded truck. Run them outside that window and it's a minor misdemeanor, up to $150 (ORC 5589.99). Public-safety vehicles and school buses are exempt from the season; retractable studs can stay mounted all year if retracted off-season. The statute date is the enforced date. Chains are legal in snow or ice, and a stud won't satisfy a chain order.
The window and winter-tire rules
- Season: November 1 to April 15 (ORC 5589.081). Retractable studs may stay mounted year-round if kept retracted outside that window.
- No M+S or 3PMSF traction-tire requirement. The stud season rule does not apply to tire chains used when there is snow or ice on the road (ORC 5589.081(C)). But ORC 5589.08 bars towing a vehicle whose tires are equipped with spikes, chains, or other projections of any kind, so on its face studs and chains belong off trailer tires. A legal in-season stud is not a chain and won't satisfy a chain order. See the Ohio tire-chain page.
Ohio Studded Tire FAQ
Are studded tires legal in Ohio?
When can you use studded tires in Ohio?
What is the fine for illegal studded tires in Ohio?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-5589.081. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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