Maine Studded Tires Laws (2026)

Conditional: Studded tires are legal in Maine from October 2, 2026 through April 30, 2027.

ConditionalVerified Oct 3, 2026

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Studded tires are legal in Maine from October 2, 2026 through April 30, 2027. Under 29-A M.R.S. 1919 a person may not operate a vehicle with tires having metal studs, wires, spikes or other metal protruding from the tire tread from the first day of May to the first day of October, so the current studded season opened on October 2, 2026 and runs through April 30, 2027. The Commissioner of Transportation may extend the use period, or in a special case issue a permit covering stated periods of time, with a fee that may not be less than $3 and not more than $15 as determined by the commissioner; a permit holder must carry the permit in an easily accessible place in or about the vehicle. The prohibition does not apply to fire department vehicles or school buses.

Official source: legislature.maine.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Studded Tires in states bordering Maine

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

New HampshirePermitted
New Hampshire has no seasonal studded-tire ban, so studded tires are effectively legal year-round. Use is governed by Department of Safety tire rules. See N.H. RSA 266:48.
Verified Jul 23, 2026 · Source: gencourt.state.nh.us · Full New Hampshire rule →

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