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South Dakota Studded Tires Laws (2026)

Conditional: Metal-stud tires are legal in South Dakota only from October 1 through April 30.

ConditionalVerified Oct 12, 2026

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Metal-stud tires are legal in South Dakota only from October 1 through April 30. The statute separately allows a school bus or a fire-fighting vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of over 5,000 pounds, owned or operated by a unit of local government, to run metal studs at any time. A violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor. See S.D. Codified Laws 32-19-3.

Official source: sdlegislature.gov →

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

Studded Tires in states bordering South Dakota

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

IowaConditional
Studded tires are legal in Iowa only from November 1 through April 1, with studs no more than 1/16 inch. The rest of the year they're prohibited, except on school buses and fire trucks. See Iowa Code 321.442.
Verified Jun 20, 2026 · Source: legis.iowa.gov · Full Iowa rule →
MinnesotaRestricted
Minnesota prohibits studded tires for residents. The only limited exceptions are for those from out of state and for rural mail carriers with a permit. See Minn. Stat. 169.72.
Verified Jun 20, 2026 · Source: revisor.mn.gov · Full Minnesota rule →
MontanaConditional
Studded tires are legal in Montana only from October 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027. …
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: mca.legmt.gov · Full Montana rule →
NebraskaConditional
Studded tires are legal in Nebraska only from November 1 through April 1. They're prohibited the rest of the year. See Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,250.
Verified Jun 20, 2026 · Source: nebraskalegislature.gov · Full Nebraska rule →
North DakotaConditional
Studded tires are legal in North Dakota from October 15 through April 15, with studs no more than 1/16 inch beyond the tread; outside that window they are prohibited except on schoolbuses, which may use them at any time during the year. See N.D. Cent. Code 39-21-40 and the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
Verified Oct 15, 2026 · Source: ndlegis.gov · Full North Dakota rule →
WyomingPermitted
Studded tires are legal year-round in Wyoming. Studs must not materially injure the road surface. See Wyo. Stat. 31-5-956.
Verified Jul 22, 2026 · Source: wyoleg.gov · Full Wyoming rule →

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