Statutes, codes, and regulations
Washington Administrative Code
Title 204 - State Patrol (Equipment) (See also Titles 212, 446 and 448)
Chapter 204-24 - Traction devices
Section 204-24-050 - Use of tire chains or other traction devices

Wash. Admin. Code § 204-24-050

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Current through Register Vol. 24-21, November 1, 2024
Section 204-24-050 - Use of tire chains or other traction devices
(1) Vehicles under 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

When traffic control signs are posted by the department of transportation it will be unlawful for any vehicle to enter the controlled area without having mounted on its drive tires the traction device specified by the sign, which must also meet the requirements of WAC 204-24-040.

(a) Exception for all wheel drive vehicles. When "chains required" signs are posted, all-wheel drive vehicles will be exempt from the chain requirement when all wheels are in gear and are equipped with approved traction devices as specified in WAC 204-24-040 provided that tire chains for at least one set of drive tires are carried in the vehicle.
(b) Alternative traction devices listed on the patrol's website as being approved for passenger vehicles as outlined in this chapter will be considered approved for use when "chains required" signs are posted.
(2) Vehicles or combinations of vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

When traffic control signs marked "chains required" are posted by the department of transportation it will be unlawful for any vehicle or combination of vehicles to enter the controlled area without having mounted on its tires, tire chains as follows: Provided, That highway maintenance vehicles operated by the department of transportation for the purpose of snow removal and its ancillary functions are exempt from the following requirements :

(a) Vehicles or vehicle combinations with two to four axles including but not limited to trucks, truck-tractors, buses and school buses: For vehicles with a single drive axle, one tire on each side of the drive axle must be chained. For vehicles with dual drive axles, one tire on each side of one of the drive axles must be chained. For vehicle combinations including trailers or semi-trailers; one tire on the last axle of the last trailer or semi-trailer, must be chained. If the trailer or semi-trailer has tandem rear axles, the chained tire may be on either of the last two axles.
(b) Automobile transporters are any vehicle combination designed and used specifically for the transport of assembled (capable of being driven) highway vehicles. For vehicles with single drive axles, one tire on each side of the drive axle must be chained. For vehicles with dual drive axles, one tire on each side of each of the drive axles must be chained. For vehicle combinations including trailers or semi-trailers, one tire on the last axle of the last trailer or semi-trailer must be chained. If the trailer or semi-trailer has tandem rear axles, the chained tire may be on either of the last two axles.
(c) Vehicle combinations with five axles consisting of a truck tractor with dual drive axles and a tandem axled semitrailer; all tires on one drive axle may be chained or one tire on each side of each of the drive axles may be chained. Chains must be applied to a minimum of four tires on the drive axles. On the tandem axle semi-trailer, the chained tire may be on either of the last two axles.
(d) Vehicle combinations with five axles, consisting of a truck and trailer, or truck tractor and semi-trailer with a single drive axle, or truck tractor, semi-trailer and full trailer: For vehicles with a single drive axle, all tires on the drive axle must be chained. For vehicles with dual drive axles, all tires on one of the drive axles must be chained. For vehicle combinations including trailers or semi-trailers, one tire on the last axle of the last trailer or semi-trailer must be chained. If the trailer or semi-trailer has tandem rear axles, the chained tire may be on either of the last two axles.
(e) Vehicle combinations with six or more axles, including but not limited to truck and trailer or truck tractor and semi-trailer or truck tractor semi-trailer and full trailer: For vehicles with a single drive axle, all tires on the drive axle must be chained. For vehicles with dual drive axles where traffic control signs marked "approved traction tires required" are posted, all tires on one of the drive axles must be chained. For vehicles with dual drive axles where traffic control signs marked "chains required" are posted, all tires on one of the drive axles must be chained. In addition, one tire on each side of the additional drive axle must be chained. For vehicle combinations including trailers or semi-trailers, one tire on the last axle must be chained. For vehicles with tandem axle trailers or semi-trailers, the chained tire may be on either of the last two axles.
(f) All vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) must carry a minimum of two extra chains for use in the event that road conditions require the use of more chains or in the event that chains in use are broken or otherwise made useless.
(g) Approved chains for vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) must have at least two side chains to which are attached sufficient cross chains of hardened metal so that at least one cross chain is in contact with the road surface at all times. Plastic chains will not be allowed.
(h) If automatic tire chains are used, the vehicle must carry regular tire chains for use on the outside tires of the drive axle of all axles equipped with the automatic tire chain.
(i) On the following routes all vehicles and combinations of vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) pounds must carry sufficient tire chains to meet the requirements of this chapter from November 1 to April 1 of each year or at other times when chains are required for such vehicles:
(i) I-90 - Between North Bend (MP 32) and Ellensburg (MP 101).
(ii) SR-97 - Between (MP 145) and Junction SR-2.
(iii) SR-2 - Between Dryden (MP 108) and Index (MP 36).
(iv) SR-12 - Between Packwood (MP 135) and Naches (MP 187).
(v) SR-97 - Between the Columbia River (MP 0.00) and Toppenish (MP 59.00).
(vi) SR-410 - From Enumclaw to Naches.
(vii) SR-20 - Between Tonasket (MP 262) and Kettle Falls (MP 342); and SR-20 between Newhalem (MP 120) and Winthrop (MP 192).
(viii) SR-155 - Between Omak (MP 79) and Nespelem (MP 45).
(ix) SR-970 - Between (MP 0) and (MP 10).
(x) SR-14 - Between Gibbons Creek (MP 18.00) and (MP 108.40) intersection of Cliffs Road.
(xi) SR-542 - Mt. Baker highway between (MP 22.91) and (MP 57.26).
(xii) I-82 - Between Ellensburg Exit 3 (MP 3.00) and Selah Exit 26 (MP 26.00).

Vehicles making local deliveries as indicated on bills of lading and not crossing the mountain pass are exempt from this requirement if operating outside of a chain required area.

(3) For the purpose of this section, chained will mean that the tire has either a tire chain approved for use under chapter 204-24 WAC or an alternative traction tire device listed on the patrol's website as approved for the type of vehicle combination listed in this section.
(4) The Washington state department of transportation or Washington state patrol may prohibit any vehicle from entering a chain/approved traction device control area when it is determined that the vehicle will experience difficulty in safely traveling the area.

Wash. Admin. Code § 204-24-050

Amended by WSR 14-21-076, Filed 10/13/2014, effective 11/13/2014
Amended by WSR 20-22-105, Filed 11/4/2020, effective 12/5/2020

Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.420. 12-17-116, § 204-24-050, filed 8/21/12, effective 9/21/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.005 and 46.37.420. 08-24-030, § 204-24-050, filed 11/24/08, effective 12/25/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.420, 46.12.330, 46.37.005. 02-19-055, § 204-24-050, filed 9/12/02, effective 10/13/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.005. 00-03-081, § 204-24-050, filed 1/19/00, effective 2/19/00; 99-06-023, § 204-24-050, filed 2/22/99, effective 3/25/99; 98-19-042, § 204-24-050, filed 9/11/98, effective 10/12/98; 95-07-137, § 204-24-050, filed 3/22/95, effective 4/22/95. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.420. 94-08-069, § 204-24-050, filed 4/4/94, effective 5/5/94; 92-05-016, § 204-24-050, filed 2/10/92, effective 3/12/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.005. 91-14-004 (Order 91-003), § 204-24-050, filed 6/21/91, effective 7/22/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.420. 83-21-080 (Order 83-10-01), § 204-24-050, filed 10/19/83. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.005. 82-11-045 (Order 82-05-01), § 204-24-050, filed 5/12/82. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.005 and 46.37.420. 81-10-038 (Order 81-04-01), § 204-24-050, filed 4/30/81; 78-02-091 (Order 7607A), § 204-24-050, filed 1/30/78; Order 7607, § 204-24-050, filed 9/14/76; Order 6902, § 204-24-050, filed 2/17/70.