Wisconsin Studded Tire Law
Skip the studs. Wisconsin bars metal studs on your rig. The statute (Wis. Stat. 347.45(2)(c)) permits them only on emergency vehicles, school buses, and mail-delivery vehicles, plus out-of-state passenger cars passing through for 30 days or less. Studs may not project past 1/8 inch. No weight rule matters here, because a commercial truck can't run studs in any month. Chains stay legal when snow or ice requires them.
Running studs in Wisconsin
Skip the studs. Wisconsin bars metal studs on your rig. The statute (Wis. Stat. 347.45(2)(c)) permits them only on emergency vehicles, school buses, and mail-delivery vehicles, plus out-of-state passenger cars passing through for 30 days or less. Studs may not project past 1/8 inch. No weight rule matters here, because a commercial truck can't run studs in any month. Chains stay legal when snow or ice requires them.
The window and winter-tire rules
- Season: No legal window for a truck. Metal studs are limited to emergency vehicles, school buses, and mail-delivery vehicles (season set by DOT rule); out-of-state passenger cars may run them only while passing through for 30 days or less (Wis. Stat. 347.45(2)(c)).
- No M+S or 3PMSF winter-tire mandate. Tire chains are legal when snow or ice makes them necessary. Studs answer 'may I mount these?' and never satisfy a chain-control order. See the Wisconsin tire-chain page.
Wisconsin Studded Tire FAQ
Are studded tires legal in Wisconsin?
When can you use studded tires in Wisconsin?
What is the fine for illegal studded tires in Wisconsin?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/347/iii/45. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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