Nevada Tire Regulations

Tire Size, Thread Depth, Width and Snow Chains Regulations

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only but may not damage the highway surface.

NAC 484D.220 Construction of tire chains and devices which provide traction. (NRS 481.051, 484D.515)

1.  Tire chains which may be used on motor vehicles in this State must be made of metal or plastic and consist of two circular loops, one on each side of a tire, which are connected across the tread of the tire by not less than nine evenly spaced chains, cables or straps.

2.  For the purposes of this section, “tire chain” includes:

• (a) A device which provides additional traction to the wheels of a motor vehicle on a slippery surface; and
• (b) A mechanical device which conforms to the provisions of NRS 484D.530 and is approved by the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(Added to NAC by Dep’t of Motor Veh., eff. 1-17-84; A by Dep’t of Motor Veh. & Pub. Safety, 12-1-89) — (Substituted in revision for NAC 484.230)

NAC 484D.225 Construction of traction devices. (NRS 481.051, 484D.515)

1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, traction devices used on motor vehicles in this State must:

• (a) Be made of metal, plastic or a combination thereof; and
• (b) Provide additional traction to the tire through traction arms connected to a central support ring which is attached to the wheel.

2.  A traction device that is not in conformance with the provisions of this section may be approved for use by the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

3.  For the purposes of this section, “traction device” means a device which provides additional traction to the wheels of a motor vehicle on a slippery surface.

(Added to NAC by Dep’t of Motor Veh. & Pub. Safety, eff. 12-1-89) — (Substituted in revision for NAC 484.232)

NAC 484D.230 Construction of snow tires. (NRS 481.051, 484D.515)

1.  A snow tire which may be used on a motor vehicle in this State must:

(a) Have a tread consisting of ribs, lugs, blocks or buttons which:

1. Are placed on the tire in a generally discontinuous pattern; and
2. Have the following characteristics when the tire is inflated:

(I) A substantial portion of the edge of each rib, lug or block of the tread must be placed at an angle of more than 30 degrees from the circumferential center line of the tire.

(II) The lugs on the shoulder of at least one side of the tread, as the lugs touch the road, must extend at least 1/2 inch beyond the remainder of the tread at an angle approximately perpendicular to the direction of travel.

(b) Have a tread with a minimum depth of 3/16 inch when measured in any two adjacent grooves at any location on the tread.

(c) Bear on at least one sidewall of the tire a permanent label consisting of the words “mud and snow” or an abbreviation using the letters “M” and “S” (for example, “MS,” “M/S,” “M-S,” “M&S” and so forth) if the tire is designed for use on a:

1. Passenger car and is manufactured on or after January 1, 1976; or
2. Light truck and is manufactured on or after March 1, 1981.

2.  For the purposes of this section:

• (a) “Light truck” does not include any motor vehicle with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or more.
• (b) “Snow tire” means a tire used on a passenger car or light truck which provides additional traction on slick surfaces through the use of a tread pattern of a special design.

(Added to NAC by Dep’t of Motor Veh., eff. 1-17-84; A by Dep’t of Motor Veh. & Pub. Safety, 12-1-89) — (Substituted in revision for NAC 484.235)

NAC 484D.235 Equipment required when street or highway posted. (NRS 481.051, 484D.520) When a street or highway in this State is marked or posted with signs requiring the use of:

1.  Traction devices, tire chains or snow tires, a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles:

• (a) May be equipped with traction devices, tire chains or snow tires if it has a gross weight or combined gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
• (b) Must be equipped with tire chains if it has a gross weight or combined gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds.

2.  Tire chains only, or chains or traction devices except for motor vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive and snow tires on all the wheels, the vehicle must be equipped with traction devices or chains except as otherwise permitted.

(Added to NAC by Dep’t of Motor Veh., eff. 1-17-84; A by Dep’t of Motor Veh. & Pub. Safety, 12-1-89) — (Substituted in revision for NAC 484.240)

NAC 484D.240 Mounting requirements. (NRS 481.051, 484D.525)  When a motor vehicle in this State must be equipped with traction devices, tire chains or snow tires, the devices or chains must be installed or the tires must be mounted on at least:

1. Two driving wheels of a motor vehicle; and
2. Two braking wheels of any trailing vehicle in a combination of vehicles if the trailing vehicle is equipped or required to be equipped with brakes.

(Added to NAC by Dep’t of Motor Veh., eff. 1-17-84; A by Dep’t of Motor Veh. & Pub. Safety, 12-1-89) — (Substituted in revision for NAC 484.245)

Source: https://www.nevadadot.com/doing-business/commercial-vehicles
Source: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-484D.html#NAC484DSec220