Pennsylvania Studded Tire Law

Good news for a change: Pennsylvania lets you run metal studs November 1 to April 15 with no weight cap, so your loaded rig is covered (75 Pa.C.S. § 4525). Studs may project no more than 2/32 in. The Governor can extend the window by executive order when highways stay bad. Run them out of season and it's a summary offense, a small fine that grows the longer you keep them on. Studs still don't satisfy a chain or PennDOT winter restriction.

Metal studsSeasonal window

SeasonNovember 1 to April 15

Fine$35 if you are still on studs April 16 to May 31, $45 in June, then $55 a month July through October 31, plus court costs

Statute75 Pa.C.S. § 4525

01 Legality

Running studs in Pennsylvania

02 Season & traction

The window and winter-tire rules

Season: November 1 to April 15 (75 Pa.C.S. § 4525). The Governor may extend the window by executive order when highways stay bad.
No M+S or 3PMSF winter-tire mandate. PennDOT can impose separate winter-weather commercial-vehicle restrictions (speed cuts, empty-trailer bans) on interstates, which are not a stud or chain rule. Chains are legal when conditions require. Studs are not chains and won't satisfy a chain or PennDOT restriction (see the Pennsylvania chain-law page). Stud projection maxes at 2/32 in. Truck note: no weight cap, studs legal for trucks in season.

Pennsylvania Studded Tire FAQ

Are studded tires legal in Pennsylvania?

Seasonal window. The window is November 1 to April 15 (75 Pa.C.S. § 4525). The Governor may extend the window by executive order when highways stay bad.. Good news for a change: Pennsylvania lets you run metal studs November 1 to April 15 with no weight cap, so your loaded rig is covered.

When can you use studded tires in Pennsylvania?

November 1 to April 15 (75 Pa.C.S. § 4525). The Governor may extend the window by executive order when highways stay bad.

What is the fine for illegal studded tires in Pennsylvania?

$35 if you are still on studs April 16 to May 31, $45 in June, then $55 a month July through October 31, plus court costs (75 Pa.C.S. § 4525(e)(2)). It is a summary offense, and in default of payment you face up to 30 days (75 Pa.C.S. § 4525(e)(1)). The $10 figure is not the out-of-season fine: it covers a different subsection (c) violation caught inside the November 1 to April 15 window, such as studs projecting past 2/32 in (75 Pa.C.S. § 4525(e)(3)).

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.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/75/00.045.025.000..HTM. See our Terms & Disclaimer.

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Pennsylvania Studded Tire Law

Running studs in Pennsylvania

The window and winter-tire rules

Pennsylvania Studded Tire FAQ

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