Chain and traction laws

Which states have chain laws?

One page per state: the chain and traction levels, the rules and the fines, each linked to the official page it comes from, plus the chain reports the state DOT feed is posting right now. For a live view across every state, use the chain control map.

Washington · 4 levels

Do I need chains in Washington?

WSDOT posts traction and chain requirements pass by pass and direction by direction.

Oregon · 2 levels

Do I need chains in Oregon?

Oregon posts chain requirements by sign in snow zones.

California · 3 levels

Do I need chains in California?

Caltrans posts chain controls in three levels, R1, R2 and R3.

Colorado · 2 levels

Do I need chains in Colorado?

Colorado has a Traction Law and a Passenger Vehicle Chain Law.

Idaho · posted by sign

Do I need chains in Idaho?

Idaho's chain rule in Idaho Code 49-948 is for commercial vehicles.

Montana · posted by sign

Do I need chains in Montana?

Montana posts chain and traction requirements by sign.

Wyoming · 2 levels

Do I need chains in Wyoming?

WYDOT uses two chain law levels.

Utah · 2 levels

Do I need chains in Utah?

Utah's Traction Law is enforced in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons while the resorts are open.

Nevada · posted by sign

Do I need chains in Nevada?

Nevada's chain rules are in NRS 484D.515 and 484D.520.

British Columbia · posted by sign

Do I need winter tires or chains in British Columbia?

BC requires winter tires or chains on most highways in the Interior and the north, and on some coastal routes, from October 1 to April 30.

Do I need chains in Arizona, New Mexico or Alaska?

No chain-level system was found for these three states.

What these pages do and do not say

They state the law and link the source. They do not say whether a road needs chains today. The sign on the road and the DOT posting decide that. Where a fine amount could not be confirmed on an official page, the page says so instead of guessing.