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Virginia Studded Tires Laws (2026)
Conditional: 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.
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. Section 46.2-1044 does not apply to law-enforcement vehicles, vehicles used to fight fire including publicly owned state forest warden vehicles, emergency medical services vehicles, or vehicles owned or operated by the Virginia Department of Transportation or its contractors in maintenance and emergency response operations. See Va. Code 46.2-1044.
Official source: law.lis.virginia.gov →
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Studded Tires in states bordering Virginia
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- District of ColumbiaConditional
The District of Columbia allows studded snow tires only from October 15 through April 15; outside that window they are prohibited. Studs may not project more than 1/8 inch. See the DC DMV and 18 DCMR vehicle equipment rules.
Verified Oct 10, 2026 · Source: dcregs.dc.gov · Full District of Columbia 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 →
- MarylandConditional
In Maryland, studded tires are allowed only from November 1 through March 31, and only on vehicles registered in Allegany, Garrett, Frederick, Washington, or Carroll counties; they're prohibited statewide otherwise. See Md. Transp. 22-405.2.
Verified Jul 23, 2026 · Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · Full Maryland 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 →
- TennesseeConditional
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.
Verified Aug 3, 2026 · Source: law.justia.com · Full Tennessee rule →
- West VirginiaConditional
Studded tires are legal in West Virginia only from November 1 through April 15; outside that window a tire on a vehicle moved on a highway may not carry any stud or other non-rubber protuberance projecting beyond the tread. Studded tires on vehicles other than school buses may not be operated at a recommended air pressure greater than 40 pounds per square inch. Tire chains of reasonable proportions are allowed whenever snow, ice or other skid conditions require them. See W. Va. Code 17C-15-37.
Verified Oct 16, 2026 · Source: code.wvlegislature.gov · Full West Virginia rule →
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