How to Drive on Snow and Ice

Prepare your vehicle

It is important to know your local snow tires regulation so you do not get a ticket.
However, if you live in a state where winter can affect the road conditions or can make driving very difficult because of snow or ice, snow tires can be a “lifesaver”.

You should definitely consider getting good snow tires.

If your vehicle is a “rear wheel drive, then be careful because these vehicles often lose control and traction over ice, so having a good set of tires can keep you safe on the road.

Plan to get your snow tires well in advance. Once there is snow on the ground, it will be hard to find a tire shop with open space to put some wheels in your car.

How early should you put the snow tires in your car? As soon as your state allows you to. Check out the chart below for a list of your state snow tires regulation.

State	Snow Tires Regulation (Permissible Dates to Use Studded Tires)
Alabama (AL)	Rubber studs permitted. Metal Permitted only during bad weather.
Alaska (AK)	Rubber studs permitted Sept. 15 – May 1 N of 60° or Sept. 30 – April 15 S of 60°
Arizona (AZ)	Oct 1 – May 1
Arkansas (AR)	Nov. 15 – April 15
California (CA)	Nov. 1 – April 30
Colorado (CO)	No Restrictions
Connecticut (CT)	Nov. 15 – April 30
Delaware (DE)	Oct. 15 – April 15
D.C.	Oct. 15 – March 15
Florida (FL)	Rubber Studs Permitted
Georgia (GA)	Snow Tires Regulation, Not Permitted
Hawaii (HI)	Not permitted
Idaho (ID)	Oct. 1 – April 30
Illinois (IL)	Not Permitted
Indiana (IN)	Oct. 1 – May 1
Iowa (IA)	Nov. 1 – April 1
Kansas (KS)	Nov. 1 – April 15
Kentucky (KY)	No Restrictions
Louisiana (LA)	Not Permitted
Maine (ME)	Oct. 2 – April 30
Maryland (MD)	Not permitted except in Western counties, Nov. 1 – March 31
Massachusetts (MA)	Nov. 2 - April 30
Michigan(MI)	Rubber Studs Only
Minnesota (MN)	Not permitted except for non-residents who are subject to restriction
Mississippi (MS)	Not Permitted
Missouri (MO)	Nov. 2 – March 31
Montana (MT)	Nov. 1 – May 31
Nebraska (NE)	Nov. 1 – April 1
Nevada (NV)	Oct. 1 – April 30
New Hampshire (NH)	No restrictions
New Jersey (NJ)	Nov. 15 – April 1
New Mexico (NM)	No restrictions
New York (NY)	Oct. 16 – April 30
North Carolina (NC)	No restrictions
North Dakota (ND)	Oct. 15 – April 15
Ohio (OH)	Nov. 1 – April 15
Oklahoma (OK)	Nov. 1 – April 1
Oregon (OR)	Nov. 1 – April 1
Pennsylvania (PA)	Nov. 1 – April 15
Rhode Island (RI)	Nov. 15 – April 1
South Carolina (SC)	Permitted only if they do not project more than 1/16” when compressed
South Dakota (SD)	Oct. 1 – April 30
Tennessee (TN)	Oct. 1 – April 15
Texas (TX)	Rubber studs only
Utah (UT)	Oct. 15 – March 31
Vermont (VT)	No restrictions
Virginia (VA)	Oct. 15 – April 15
Washington (WA)	Nov. 1 – April 1
West Virginia (WV)	Nov. 1 – April 15
Wisconsin (WI)	Not permitted except for non-residents who are subject to restriction
Wyoming (WY)	No restrictions