Studded Tires Legal States [Updated December 2022]

Why Do People Like To Use Studded Tires?

There are a lot of people who get nervous when they have to drive in the snow and one of the biggest reasons why is that the vehicle does not have a lot of traction between the car and the pavement. The best way to fix this issue is to take a closer look at the tires. One of the numerous options is to use studded tires. These are tires that have small pieces of metal sticking out from the tire itself. The goal of a studded tire is to make it easier for a vehicle to grip the pavement. While studded tires can help drivers when the conditions are poor outside, they can also lead to major issues.

Why Do Some States Not Allow Studded Tires?

There are a lot of reasons why states do not like their drivers using studded tires, but the biggest reason is that they can damage the road. Studded tires literally have small pieces of shrapnel coming out of them. As a result, they can poke holes in the road, leading to major damage. Tires with studs can harm the integrity of the pavement, which makes it easier for moisture to infiltrate the road. Then, when the water freezes, it expands inside the pavement, which can lead to major damage. For this reason, there are a lot of states that do not allow studded tires on the roads at all because of the repairs that have to be made.

Where Are Studded Tires Legal in the U.S.?

There are five states that prohibit any use of metal studs in snow tires at all. They include Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas.

Additionally, several states have seasonal restrictions on when you can use snow tires. Most of these date ranges are from October or November until April or May. Only the parts of Alaska above the 60th parallel allow for studded tire use before this, starting on September 16. The longest range is found in Montana where studded tires can be used from October 1 to May 31.

Some states also have exemptions for specific types of weather or types of vehicles. Alabama, Georgia, and New Mexico allow snow tires when there is snow and ice on the ground. In Idaho, fire department vehicles can always use studded tires. North Dakota and South Dakota allow year-round use by school buses. Wisconsin only approves studded tires for emergency vehicles, school buses, and rural mail carriers.

There are six states that have no restrictions on the use of studded tires. In Colorado, Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Vermont, and Wyoming you can use these tires as you wish.

Do I Need Studded Tires?

There are a lot of people who are wondering if they need to use studded tires. In general, you do not need to use studded tires, even if you live in the Northeast. If you live in the Southeast, you definitely do not need them. If there is a lot of snow on the ground, you simply need to slow down and pump your brakes. The best option is to simply wait for the snow to melt before you go outside again. If you need to go out in an emergency, and there is a lot of snow on the ground, then you can reach for studded tires. You don’t need them all the time, and it can be a hassle to change them.