Texas Studded Tire Law
Texas sets no stud season and no weight cap, but a stud or other non-rubber protuberance past the tread is legal only if it does not injure the highway (Tex. Transp. Code 547.612(c)). No Texas agency has said which metal studs pass that test, so an officer can decide yours damage the pavement. Tire chains of reasonable proportion are legal when a condition might make you skid. Metal tires on the roadway are barred outside a narrow farm wagon exception. Studs are not chains.
A date here is flagged medium confidence — confirm the current window with the state DOT before you run studs.
Running studs in Texas
Texas sets no stud season and no weight cap, but a stud or other non-rubber protuberance past the tread is legal only if it does not injure the highway (Tex. Transp. Code 547.612(c)). No Texas agency has said which metal studs pass that test, so an officer can decide yours damage the pavement. Tire chains of reasonable proportion are legal when a condition might make you skid. Metal tires on the roadway are barred outside a narrow farm wagon exception. Studs are not chains.
The window and winter-tire rules
- Season: No seasonal limit, but studs are legal only if they do not injure the highway (Tex. Transp. Code 547.612(c)). A metal tire touching the roadway is barred outside a narrow farm wagon exception.
- No winter-tire or M+S/3PMSF traction-tire law. Tire chains are allowed only when a skid condition demands them (547.612), and you pull them once the pavement is bare. Studs are not chains and never satisfy a chain-control order. See the Texas chain-law page.
Texas Studded Tire FAQ
Are studded tires legal in Texas?
When can you use studded tires in Texas?
What is the fine for illegal studded tires in Texas?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/TN/htm/TN.547.htm. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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