Snow Chains: Legal Requirements and Recommendations in Indiana

Are Snow Chains Legal in Indiana?

The topic of snow chains and Indiana law comes up regularly, often in connection with outstate truckers who are hauling freight from the Midwest to various other states. When they tip into Pennsylvania, or New York, or another state with steep hills, they have to go out and get some "chains" for their truck and trailer, and the cost takes a bit of a bite out of the budget. It’s an expense they should not have to absorb.
Recently I researched the legal situation, specifically regarding snow chains, and here is what I found. Head and shoulders over everything else is Indiana State Code, IC 9-21-1-11, which states:
Sec. 11. (a) This section applies to all vehicles and combinations of vehicles, except passenger cars, motorcycles, and engines, and trailers and semitrailers that are primarily used to transport farm products, livestock, or machinery to or from a farm, and to authorized emergency vehicles. (Emphasis added).
(g) A vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not be equipped with tire chains, metal tire studs, or similar devices except as permitted by this subsection and rules adopted under section 13 of this chapter . A vehicle or combination of vehicles may be equipped with snow tires, studded tires, or both if constructed so that the edge of the rim of the wheel or the hubcap does not come within six (6) inches of the surface of the roadway, except upon exhibit D highways. If a vehicle or combination of vehicles is equipped with snow tires, studded tires, or both, only ninety-six (96) tires per calendar month for passenger vehicles and thirty (30) tires per calendar month for commercial and other vehicles are permitted to be tested unless the owner or operator requests additional tests.
So there it is. Tire chains, metal tire studs, and similar devices are prohibited – unless, of course, you fall into one of the exceptions in the first sentence.
The exceptions "except upon exhibit D highways" means these are listed on a map calling out those exceptions. An exhibit will be listed later in the code showing those highways.
Numbers in full parens refer to legislative changes. For example, in 1993 they modified the words used, from "iron shoes" to "metal tire studs, or similar devices".
As for a "snow tire", that is defined in Indiana Code 9-29-7-4.
(b) "Snow tire" means a tire that has been manufactured, molded, or otherwise made with lines or grooves of a pattern that is intended for the purpose of aiding traction while in use on ice covered or packed snow covered roadways.

When Should You Use Snow Chains in Indiana?

Snow chains, while not as common as they used to be, have their place. In fact, according to the Code of Federal Regulations, and most other references, snow chains are still considered to be a desirable addition to vehicles in many states when the snow and/or ice get deep enough. If the tires are not just bald, snow chains are a great option, because they both increase traction and control over slick surfaces. While it is not hard to argue about whether or not last winter’s snow and ice merited them, under Indiana law, snow chains are legal on public roadways from October 1st through April 30th, and they may be required under some conditions. Further, if your vehicle fits the requirements, chains are needed to be installed after December 15th, unless covering a major proportion of the tread with the chain is not possible.
But what does all this mean? Here are some guidelines.
If you have snow tires, you do not need to use chains, nor do you need to if you drive a passenger bus or truck, motorcycle, or an all-terrain vehicle that has an off-road classification.
Even though snow chains are permitted on all passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and motorcycles with sidecars, some exceptions do apply and it is generally a good idea to keep them on hand during the winter months. Seasonally, take them off in the middle of the summer when the temperature and humidity are high and the roads are dry. Once the chill of autumn sets in and precipitation begins to fall in the form of snow, sleet, or freezing rain, consider putting them back on again.
Essentially, the first part of this guideline says that travelers have to keep in mind that public roadways need to be open for use and snow tires do a lot to help with that. The second shows that if the tires are too bald, they simply do not have enough grip, and snow chains are needed.
Watch the Weather
In the Midwest, Old Man Winter, the Snow Queen, and Matthew Snowstorm are powerful forces to contend with. No two winters are alike in this region and you have probably already experienced the facts that range from complete whiteouts to 60-five-degree sunny days. And since the weather is unpredictable, the temperatures can change dramatically.
In Indiana, snow chains are permitted from October 1st through April 30th, and while you should not need them in the late fall and early spring, you may want to invest in a pair or two for the heavy winter months. These months are mainly December, January, and February. But anything may happen, so try to keep a set in the trunk just in case. But if you do wind up using the snow chains this winter, you may want to consider rotating them out for regular tires before the spring rains hit and the snow turns to slush or rain. This move can do a lot to keep you safe while also extend the life of the chains for next year.
Respect the Road Conditions
If there is heavy snow, it may be time to add chains to the tires. But never overburden the tires. It is better to under chain than over chain. Under chaining means using a chain designed for a 30" tire on a 31" tire, for example. Over chaining happens when wheeled vehicles do not meet the specifications for chains but they still use them. For example, trim down a tractor-trailer chain to fit a tire that was not designed for it.

Fines and Penalties for Improper Use

Indiana authorities are fairly relaxed about the use of snow chains but there can be some penalties and fines in certain situations. The most common penalty is for overuse and misuse of the chains in a way that causes undue harm to other vehicles, public roads and infrastructure. If you cause significant damage by deliberately using chains on dry roads, you could be sued for damages by the state or the owner of the road. In some cases, truckers have been fined for deliberately using snow chains on normal roads after a major snowstorm has cleared, just so they don’t have to replace worn chains over the course of a few days.
Driving with chains is considered a special circumstance, and if your vehicle crashes when driving with chains, you could be cited for the use of the chains. That means you should only use chains when necessary, but not because you feel it will boost your safety in normal weather conditions (no matter how confident you may be)!
Because snow chains are permitted on Indiana roadways, there isn’t a stand-alone law prohibiting people from using or not using them. It’s up to responsible business owners and truck drivers to be smart when it snows and use them as necessary.

Proper Snow Chain Installation and Use

When preparing to use snow chains, successful installation is of paramount importance. Improperly installed chains can over-stress and wreck your vehicle, or they can damage other motorists’ vehicles or the road itself. Follow these general instructions:

– Measure your tire size before you buy your snow chains. It is easy to confuse the tire size with the rim diameter. The size is printed on the sidewall of the tire or on the inside of the driver-side door, in the glove compartment, or on the wheel well. Tire sizes can be written in several ways: 155/80 R13, 175/70 R14, 195/60 R15, 205/60 R16, and 235/65 R17. Some common size equivalents are below.

135 /80 R 13 = 155 /80 R 13
185/65 R 14 = 195/65 R 14 = 205 /60 R 14
185/80 R 15 = 195/80 R 15 = 205/70 R 15
185/75 R 16 = 195/75 R 16 = 205 /70 R 16
205/60 R 17 = 215 /60 R 17

• Check to ensure that chains are labeled for your exact size tires.
• Examine the chains and wheel rims for damage.
• Lay your chains out on a smooth, flat, dry surface. They should lay straight without any overlap whatsoever.
• Put them onto the wheel and tighten by hand as much as possible. The chains must fit snugly. If not , they may slide out of place and harm your car, others, or the road. Run your fingers over the chains to check for excessive slack.

Putting chains on your tires on snow and ice should be done with great caution. Snow chains are made up of multiple steel links and sharp edges that can damage your vehicle, or others, or the road. For those reasons, you should do your best to avoid shifting of the snow chains while driving. All drivers must exercise caution at all times while using snow chains. Don’t use your chains if there’s less than three inches or more of snow already covered on the roads.
However, despite the best snow chains, road conditions change and the wheels will start spinning causing increase pile-up of snow and ice. When this happens, if you don’t stop spinning your tires, the pile of snow and ice will get greater in diameter, catch the snow chains, and the wheel rim will get damaged. The damage to the rim will need to be addressed if you wish to remove the snow chains.
Be careful to avoid putting chains on your tires while they’re mounted on a vehicle. You can cause the vehicle to shift. Instead, try to chain the tires with the vehicle parked away from other vehicles.

Alternatives to Snow Chains

As our Hoosier readers and followers know, Indiana is not consistently lashed by snow blizzards over the winter months and so, the question is whether snow chains are necessary for driving in winter conditions? While we have plenty of cold weather and icy road conditions, we don’t have nearly the amount of snowfall that many other states do. This leads to many Hoosier drivers questioning whether snow chains are worth the hassle of installation when ice grips or studded tires might be a better option.
And, whether Indiana actually has any regulations on snow chains or whether it is an open and free for all. As it turns out, snow chains are not a common sight on Indiana roadways and many Hoosier drivers opt instead for alternate devices or products to aid their vehicles in getting traction in snowy and icy conditions. Most drivers will choose all season tires and hope that will get them through the slippery weather, but there are a few products Indiana drivers might consider as an alternative when the weather gets slippery.
Paw or paw-like grips: These are tire chains or cables that are designed to give your tires additional grip in slippery conditions. They are a mix between a tire chain and a studded tire. They have a metal chain and spikes or wire mesh, so they provide better traction than tire chains, while also providing better traction than studded tires. These are easier to install than tire chains as they are usually a "tube" style device that simply slides over your tire. Most of these devices also take up less space than traditional tire chains so you can store them in vehicles where space is an issue. However, a drawback to these types of devices is that they can be more expensive than tire chains.
Tire Studs: These are small metal or carbide spikes that can be placed into the treads of your tires. They provide much better grip than a standard tire. However, if you intend to use these on your vehicle, you should leave it in a garage or wait until the weather is bad enough. Tire studs are made to be used in really slippery conditions and, if the weather improves and your road conditions are better, they will no longer be of any use to you. Further, tire studs will only last for one season because every time you drive over ice or snow, you are wearing down the steel or carbide that extends out from your tire. If you intend to use tire studs, it may be worth the money to purchase some replaceable studs as well.
Ice Grips: These are shorter spikes that are steel-shanked and steel-pointed that can be installed into your tires. Similar to tire studs, these work best in very icy conditions. The major difference is that they are short enough to fit in most tires without incurring irreparable damage. Unlike tire studs, the Ice Grip tires won’t damage the tire looks because you can clean them and reuse them.
When comparing tire chains, ice grips and tire studs, the tire chains are still the most effective method for obtaining traction in winter conditions, just about every place outside of Indiana. Tire chains or cables not only provide better traction, they are also more durable and will last much longer than most other traction aids. They are most effective on steep hills or during deep snows.
Once you’ve decided that your car needs a tire aid for winter driving or a snow chain, the next question is whether there are any restrictions on Indiana roadways on which kind of tire chains you can install and more importantly, where you can install them. Indiana law does impose restrictions on the size and type of chains that you can use on Indiana roadways. Most Indiana counties or municipalities also have local ordinances regarding the use of tire chains on vehicles.
Indiana Code 9-21-9-2 provides that a person operating a motor vehicle on a highway may use tire chains only under severe weather conditions. The Indiana Code further restricts the size and type of tire chains that may be used on Indiana roadways. These restrictions only apply to vehicles operating on roads that are part of the federal aid primary highway system. Any vehicle operating on roads not part of the federal aid primary highway system may be subject to a local ordinance mandating the type of traction device that can be used on their vehicle.
Here are some examples of the Indiana Code restrictions on the use of tire chains:
Further, a few Indiana counties and cities have enacted local ordinances prohibiting the use of tire chains on Indiana roadways. Such laws prohibit the use of tire chains on all vehicles, while other laws only prohibit passenger vehicles from using tire chains. It is important to check your county rules before installing tire chains on your vehicle. Here are some examples of local rules regarding the use of tire chains:

FAQs

Do I need snow chains every winter?
While it’s not mandatory to use snow chains, you should consider it based on your area of Indiana and the type of vehicle you drive.
Does Indiana require snow chain usage?
There are no laws in Indiana around snow chain usage while driving. While it’s an option to have them installed, it’s not necessary, but it could protect you legally if you do get into an accident.
If I don’t use snow chains do I need snow tires?
No, other than providing proper traction with your current tires, it’s not mandatory to have snow tires in Indiana.
What are my legal requirements for SUVs and trucks when there’s snow on the road?
If you live in areas that get a lot of snow each year, using snow chains may be a good idea for your SUV or truck. However , other than that, there are no legal requirements in Indiana lawmakers regarding tire specifications or dose of snow chains.
Are snow chains effective?
Snow chains are very efficient in keeping your vehicle on the road and not skidding. In fact, driving with snow chains makes navigation in winter conditions much better.
When installing a snow chain make sure that you abide by the speed limit and according to manufacturer’s recommendations, the last thing you want is to damage your car.
How do I install snow chains?
Each snow chain installation depends on the manufacturer, however, look for an instruction manual when installing snow chains. Snow chains come with clips in the package, make sure you put them on your chain as well.