When the California Department of Transportation or local authority posts an official traffic control device which requires the use of chains or chain control due to inclement weather and highway conditions, vehicles shall comply with the following:
(a) For all vehicles, including vehicles with all-wheel drive and four wheel drive, under 10,000 pounds, and housecars regardless of weight:(1) The tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of the drive axle. For all-wheel drive and four wheel drive vehicles, the tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of one drive axle.(2) The tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of the drive axle when towing another vehicle, including a trailer or semitrailer. The tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of the rear-most axle of a trailer, and on at least two tires of a semitrailer axle, when trailer or semitrailer axles are equipped with brakes.(b) For buses: (1) The tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of the drive axle of a two axle bus.(2) The tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of the drive axle of a three axle bus.(3) In addition, if the bus is articulated, the tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of the drive axle and on at least two tires of the rear-most axle of a three axle bus.(c) For vehicles over 10,000 pounds:(1) Pickup truck. The tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of the drive axle.(2) Two axle motor truck. The tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of a drive axle.(3) Three axle motor trucks. The tire traction devices shall be installed on at least four tires of the drive axle(s).(4) Truck tractors. On a two axle or three axle truck tractor the tire traction devices shall be installed on at least four tires of the drive axle(s).(d) For vehicle combinations over 10,000 pounds:(1) Truck tractor/Semitrailer. On a two axle or three axle truck tractor the tire traction devices shall be installed on at least four tires of the drive axle(s) and on a semitrailer the tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of one axle.(2) Two axle truck tractor/Semitrailer/Trailer. On a two axle truck tractor the tire traction devices shall be installed on at least four tires of the drive axle and on a semitrailer the tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of one axle and on a trailer the tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of the rear-most axle.(A) Single drive two axle truck tractor/semitrailer/trailer combinations shall be prohibited from designated chain control areas when traffic control signs are posted prohibiting this specific type of vehicle combination.(3) Three axle truck tractor/Semitrailer/Trailer. On a three axle truck tractor the tire traction devices shall be installed on at least four tires of the forward drive axle and two tires of the rear drive axle and on a semitrailer the tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of the rear-most axle and on a trailer the tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of the rear-most axle. When a three axle truck tractor is equipped with only two tires per drive axle, the tire traction devices shall be installed on all four tires of both drive axles.(A) Single drive three axle truck tractor/semitrailer/trailer combinations shall be prohibited from designated chain control areas when signs are posted prohibiting this specific type of vehicle combination.(4) Motor truck/Trailer. On a two axle motor truck the tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of the drive axle and on a three axle motor truck at least two tires of the forward drive axle and at least two tires of the rear drive axle and on a trailer the tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of the rear-most axle. When a three axle motor truck is equipped with only two tires per drive axle, the tire traction devices shall be installed on all four tires of both drive axles.(e) Wheeled machinery, regardless of weight, including, but not limited to, wheel loaders, skid loaders, backhoes, motor graders, tractors, snow blowers, and snow plows: (1) The tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires of at least one drive axle.(f) The required tire traction devices shall be installed on at least two tires at opposite sides of the same axle for all vehicles.(g) A specific type of tire traction device may be required to be installed to meet the requirements of Vehicle Code Section 27459 on drive tires, on additional tires, or all tires of a vehicle, when severe local weather and highway conditions warrant.(h) A vehicle is prohibited from entering a designated chain control area when tire traction devices do not meet the requirements of this article or when tire traction devices are not present with the vehicle.(1) A government vehicle, authorized emergency vehicle, and snow removal equipment may be permitted to enter a designated chain control area when not equipped with the required tire traction devices provided exigent circumstances, or an otherwise immediate need for those vehicles to access the designated chain control area exist.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1072
1. New section filed 3-25-2019; operative 7-1-2019 (Register 2019, No. 13). Note: Authority cited: Sections 26103, 34501.5 and 34508, Vehicle Code. Reference: Sections 165, 230, 233, 362, 410, 440, 471, 550, 558, 605, 630, 655, 670, 26103, 26104, 27454, 27459, 27460, 31401, 34501.5 and 34508, Vehicle Code.
1. New section filed 3-25-2019; operative 7/1/2019 (Register 2019, No. 13).