Chains and Traction Tires

When you drive in winter conditions, you may see signs telling you to carry chains or traction tires and when you are required to use them. In some areas, lighted message signs also will advise you about chaining up. Read about Oregon's chain law below to learn more about signs and vehicles that may be exempt.

When signs tell you that chains are required on all or certain types of vehicles, chains must be placed as generally described below. Specific information on use of chains and traction tires is listed in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) Chapter 734, Division 17.

In typical winter conditions, vehicles rated at 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW) or less and not towing or being towed are allowed to use traction tires in place of chains. Read the traction tire section below for more information.

In very bad winter road conditions, all vehicles may be required to use chains regardless of the type of vehicle or type of tire being used. This is known as a conditional road closure. A conditional road closure may occur on any of Oregon's highways and are frequent in the winter on Interstate 5 through the Siskiyou Pass south of Ashland.

"Chains" include link chains, cable chains, or any other device that attaches to the wheel, vehicle or outside of the tire that is specifically designed to increase traction on ice and snow conditions. 

The following provides examples of chain placement based on vehicle and trailer configurations. It is not the intent of the following examples to portray or suggest mixing of different types or designs of tires on a single axle. For these examples, please use the following legend.

Tire without chain.

Tire with chain.*

Chains may be placed on either axle.

Chains may be placed on either side.

Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) rating of 10,000 pounds or less such as a passenger car or light truck. Traction tires may be used in place of chains when the vehicle is not towing or being towed.

Light duty rear wheel drive vehicles must use chains on one tire on each side of the primary drive axle for example rear tires on rear-wheel drive vehicles.

Light duty front wheel drive vehicles must use chains on one tire on each side of the primary drive axle for example front tires on front-wheel drive vehicles.

When towing, chains must also be on one tire on each side of one axle of a trailer that is equipped with a brake.

Vehicles with a GVW rating of more than 10,000 pounds but less than 26,001 pounds such as buses, RVs, and cargo vehicles. 

Single-drive axle medium duty vehicles must have chains on one tire on each side of the drive axle.

Tandem-drive axle medium duty vehicles must have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle.

If both axles are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side of each drive axle.

A medium duty vehicle with one single-wheel axle and one dual-wheel axle must have chains on one tire on each side of the dual-wheel axle.

When towing, chains must also be on one tire on each side of one axle of a trailer that is equipped with a brake.

Vehicles with a GVW rating of 26,001 pounds or more that are not towing. 

Single-drive axle solo commercial vehicles must have chains on one tire on each side of the drive axle.

Tandem-drive axle solo commercial vehicles must have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle.

If both axles are powered by the drive line, on one tire on each side of each drive axle.

Vehicles with a GVW rating of 26,001 pounds or more that are towing one or more trailers. 

Single-drive axle commercial vehicles towing a trailer must have chains on two tires on each side of the drive axle and one tire on the front axle and one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer.

Single-drive axle commercial vehicles towing a semi-trailer must have chains on two tires on each side of the drive 1 and two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the semi-trailer.

Single-drive axle commercial vehicles towing both a semi-trailer and a trailer must have chains on two tires on each side of the drive axle, two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the semi-trailer, and one tire on the front axle and one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer.

Tandem-drive axle commercial vehicles towing a trailer must have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle; or if both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side of each drive axle. Chains must also be placed on one tire of the front axle, and one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer.

Tandem-drive axle commercial vehicles towing a semi-trailer must have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle.

If both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side of each drive axle. Chains must also be placed on two tires, one on each side, of any axle on the semi-trailer.

Tandem-drive axle commercial vehicles towing both a semi-trailer and a trailer must have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle.

If both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side of each drive axle. Chains must also be placed on two tires, one on each side of any axle on the semi-trailer and one tire on the front axle and one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer.

Tandem-drive axle commercial vehicles towing a semi-trailer and a semi-trailer that are connected by kingpin-to-fifth wheel assembles, commonly referred to as a "B-Train" or connected by kingpin-to-fifth wheel “C-dolly” assemblies, commonly referred to as a “C-Train”, must have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle.

If both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, one tire on each side of each drive axle.

Chains must also be placed on two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the semi-trailer at the B-Train or C-Train connection and on two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the rear semi-trailer.

When you drive in winter conditions, you may see signs telling you to carry chains or traction tires and when you are required to use them. In some areas, lighted message signs also will advise you about chaining up. To view the signs or learn more about Oregon's chain law and the vehicles that may be exempt from it read the Oregon Chain Law section below.

In typical winter conditions, vehicles rated at 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW) or less and not towing or being towed are allowed to use traction tires in place of chains. However, in very bad winter road conditions all vehicles may be required to use chains regardless of the type of vehicle or type of tire being used. This is known as a conditional road closure. A conditional road closure may occur on any of Oregon's highways and are frequent in the winter on Interstate 5 through the Siskiyou Pass south of Ashland.

"Traction Tires" are studded tires, retractable studded tires, or other tires that meet the tire industry definition as suitable for use in severe snow conditions.

Oregon's chain law applies to all highways throughout the state. When you drive in winter conditions, you may see signs telling you to carry chains or traction tires and when you are required to use them. In some areas, lighted message signs also will advise you about chaining up. Traction tires may be used in place of chains on vehicles rated at 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less and that are not towing or being towed.

Studded tires are legal in Oregon from November 1 through March 31. Because of the damage caused by studded tires, the Department of Transportation encourages motorists to use studded tires only when necessary. Delaying putting on studded tires or using other traction tires is helpful to the condition of the highways.

For placement of chains or traction tires see the Minimum Chain Requirements section above.

Lighted message signs or signs like the examples below will be posted to let you know the current requirements for chains and traction tires.

You must have chains or traction tires in or on your vehicle and they must be the right size for your vehicle and of sufficient number to comply with the minimum chain requirements.

You must use chains if your vehicle is rated 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW) or less and is towing. You must use chains on any single drive axle vehicle rated over 10,000 pounds GVW whether towing or not. Chains must also be used on the trailer or vehicle being towed as described under minimum chain requirements.

You must use chains if your vehicle is towing or rated more than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW). Chains must also be used on a trailer or vehicle being towed as described under minimum chain requirements.

You must use chains if your vehicle is towing or is rated over 10,000 pounds GVW. Chains must also be used on a trailer or vehicle being towed as described under minimum chain requirements. If your vehicle is rated 10,000 pounds GVW or less and is not towing, you must use chains or traction tires.

In addition to the chain restrictions defined above, ODOT may impose a conditional road closure. Conditional Closures may occur on any state highway and may apply to specific vehicle types in response to specific road or weather conditions. For example, a road may be closed to low profile vehicles due to high water.

As applied to snow zones, a Conditional Closure may be used when the defined chain restrictions are insufficient for the current conditions. For example, a typical Conditional Closure on Interstate 5 through Siskiyou Pass south of Ashland is “Chains required on all vehicles excluding four-wheel drive vehicles unless towing.” This means that chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel drive unless the four-wheel drive vehicle is towing. The use of traction tires is not sufficient. This is one example; the actual Conditional Closure will vary with road and weather conditions.

Typically, ODOT or Oregon State Police personnel will be on-site to advise motorists on the nature of any Conditional Closure.

In typical winter conditions, the following vehicles are completely or partially exempt from the chain law. However, in very bad winter road conditions all vehicles may be required to use chains regardless of the type of vehicle or type of tire being used (this is known as a conditional road closure). A conditional road closure may occur on any of Oregon's highways and are frequent in the winter on Interstate 5 through the Siskiyou Pass south of Ashland:

Note: Although exempt, ODOT vehicles use mud and snow tires and chains in most winter situations. Studded tires are not used on ODOT vehicles because of the damage such tires cause to the highway.

Drivers who disobey the signs requiring chains or traction tires are subject to a class C traffic infraction. In addition, drivers of a commercial vehicle may be subject to a class A traffic violation for failure to carry and use chains and traction tires.