The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is notifying truck drivers that the regulations for commercial vehicle tire chains will begin this week.

On Monday, WSP released an announcement reminding that the state’s tire chain requirements for commercial vehicles will be enforced starting Friday.

From November 1 to April 1, all vehicles and vehicle combinations over 10,000 pounds must carry an adequate supply of tire chains on designated routes.

  • I-90 between North Bend (MP 32) and Ellensburg (MP 101)
  • I-82 between Ellensburg Exit 3 (MP 3.00) and Selah Exit 26 (MP 26.00)
  • SR-97 between (MP 145) and Junction
  • SR-2 between Dryden (MP 108) and Index (MP 36)
  • SR-12 between Packwood (MP 135) and Naches (MP 187)
  • SR-97 between junction SR-14 (MP 4) Columbia River and Toppenish (MP 59)
  • SR-410 from Enumclaw to Naches
  • SR-20 between Tonasket (MP 262) and Kettle Falls (MP 342)
  • SR-155 between Omak (MP 79) and Nespelem (MP 45)
  • SR-970 between (MP 0) and (MP 10)
  • SR-14 (MP 18) to Junction 97 (MP 102)
  • SR-542 Mt Baker Highway between (MP 22.91) and (MP 57.26)

Sufficient tire chains are defined by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) as follows:

All vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW shall carry a minimum of 2 extra chains for use in the event that road conditions require the use of more chains or that chains in use are broken or otherwise made useless, WAC 204-24-050 (2) (f).

Approved chains for vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight shall have at least two side chains 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 shall not be allowed. The Washington State Patrol may approve other devices as chains if the devices are equivalent to regular chains in performance (cable chains allowable).

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), vehicles making local deliveries, as specified on their bills of lading, are exempt from the chain requirement if they operate outside the designated chain-required area and do not cross the mountain pass.

For more on Washington State chain requirements, please click here.