Tennessee Studded Tires Laws (2026)

Conditional: Studded tires are legal in Tennessee only from October 1 through April 15.

ConditionalVerified Aug 3, 2026

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Studded tires are legal in Tennessee only from October 1 through April 15. They're not allowed on vehicles over 9,000 pounds, except school and emergency vehicles. See Tenn. Code 55-9-106.

Official source: law.justia.com →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Studded Tires in states bordering Tennessee

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

AlabamaConditional
Alabama allows metal studded or safety-spike tires (and tire chains) of reasonable proportions only when required for safety because of snow, rain, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. Otherwise, tire studs, spikes, cleats, or other non-rubber protuberances projecting beyond the tread are prohibited. See Ala. Code § 32-5-210(b).
Verified Jul 24, 2026 · Source: alison.legislature.state.al.us · Full Alabama rule →
ArkansasConditional
Arkansas allows metal studded tires only from November 15 through April 15. Studs may not protrude more than 1/16 inch. See Ark. Code 27-37-402.
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: ardot.gov · Full Arkansas rule →
GeorgiaConditional
In Georgia, safety metal spike studs are permitted only when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid (O.C.G.A. § 40-8-74); tire chains of reasonable proportions are allowed on the same terms. …
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: legis.ga.gov · Full Georgia rule →
KentuckyPermitted
Metal studded tires are legal year-round in Kentucky — no statute prohibits them. Kentucky's vehicle-equipment law (KRS Ch. 189) has no studded-tire ban.
Verified Jun 20, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MississippiRestricted
Mississippi bans studded tires: no tire moved on a highway may have any block, stud, flange, cleat, spike or other protuberance of material other than rubber projecting beyond the tread. …
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: billstatus.ls.state.ms.us · Full Mississippi rule →
MissouriConditional
Metal or carbide studded tires are legal in Missouri only from November 1 through March 31. They're prohibited from April 1 to November 1. See Mo. Rev. Stat. 307.171.
Verified Jun 20, 2026 · Source: revisor.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
North CarolinaPermitted
Studded snow tires are permitted year-round in North Carolina. Studs may project no more than 1/16 inch beyond the tread. See N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-122.
Verified Jun 20, 2026 · Source: ncleg.gov · Full North Carolina rule →
VirginiaConditional
Studded tires are legal in Virginia from October 15 through April 15 for most vehicles, with studs no more than 1/16 inch beyond the tread covering no more than 3% of the traction surface, on vehicles of 10,000 pounds or less; outside that window they are prohibited except for the vehicles section 46.2-1044 exempts. …
Verified Oct 15, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →

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