All the tire rules and regulations you need to know about.

Motor vehicles are subject to several different regulations, and transgressions can lead to fines, impounding of your car, or even rendering it completely unroadworthy. When it comes to the rubber your wheels are wrapped in, car owners should know about the tire laws that will not only keep you out of trouble, but also ensure you're safe.

These often forgotten parts of your car experience immense wear and tear, especially if you are a regular long-distance driver. Knowing what types of tires you should be using, depending on the type of vehicle you drive, the state you live in, or even the weather, is just as important as obeying the rules of the road. These are set out comprehensively in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), but here is a quick guide on some of the most important things you need to know about your car's tire safety standards.

Regulations comprise various rules, which form part of the law; these regulations regarding tires are therefore law in the USA. While the different states may have variations, the following are common.

Studded tires with their metal protrusions do indeed improve traction through snow and ice, but they're also notoriously bad for the road surface. As a result, some states restrict or forbid the use of student tires.

There are some states that, due to adverse weather conditions, make it legal for the use of studded tires, albeit at certain times. But each state's laws regarding the use of studded snow tires differ. For example, NY studded tire law states that it is permitted to equip them between October 16 and April 30. Meanwhile, Colorado studded tire law does not specify any time restrictions.

States that allow unrestricted use of studded tires include:

States that forbid the use of studded tires include:

The remaining states have restrictions regarding where and when it is legal to equip studded tires.

Winter tire chain laws in the US are similar to those of studded tires. Some states, like California, may put up signs for when tire chains are required. Oregon tire chain law specifies that all cars should carry chains or tractions tires during winter conditions, especially vehicles that are towing and have a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less. The state posts relevant signs when equipping chains becomes a requirement. Meanwhile, Colorado snow tire law insists that all commercial vehicles traveling on certain roads must carry tire chains between September 1 and May 31.

States that leave it up to the driver's cognisance to determine if tire chains are actually needed include:

Some of the best SUVs for snow come with relevant drive modes to try mitigate slippery conditions, but snow tires may still be required, depending on the state.

The main factors to check to ensure tires are legal include:

While it is acceptable to outfit your car with tires that are bigger than the OEM equipment, there are limitations. Whether you are adding bigger tires to a rim, or adding larger rims, you are restricted by what your car will physically allow. On some vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler, larger tires for off-roading are a standard modification, while other cars have staggered wheels off the factory floor. Models such as the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Pagani Huayra require wider tires for better balance through speedy corners.

Tire condition does matter, and illegal tires include those that have any body ply or belt material showing, or where the tread or sidewall has separated from the tire. Naturally, a flat tire is extremely dangerous to drive on. A law enforcement officer can issue a fine if any of your tires tick these boxes.

Morgan has always had a love for the written word, which is why he obtained an Honours Degree in English Language Studies. Having spent several years as an editor for a variety of trade magazines, he decided he wanted to try something a bit more exciting and hands-on. This led him to CarBuzz, where he has been writing and editing reviews and blog posts since 2018. A level-headed academic, Morgan enjoys reading about the latest tech in the automotive industry, even though he drives an economical hatchback.