Understanding Seattle’s Winter Tire Laws
Winters in Seattle are mild with rain and slush more likely than snow. When the snow does come, it results in icy roads and long delays. You do need to be extra cautious on the road, especially on Seattle’s hilly streets, and having a set of tires with a deep tread is a good idea. But if you’re planning on driving into the mountains (or beyond!), winter driving is a completely different story.
Here’s what to know before you hit the road this season.
What Are The Winter Tires Laws In Seattle?
The City of Seattle does not mandate winter tires, just like they aren’t compulsory in the most of western Washington. You can kit your car out with all-season tires for safe year-round driving. However, if you’re planning to leave the city limits to venture into higher elevations like Snoqualmie Pass or Mount Rainier National Park, then you need to know what winter tire and chain requirements may come into play along your route.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) can issue “traction tire required” or “chains required” notices on certain highways during snow or ice conditions. Once a traction advisory is in effect, every vehicle must meet the posted requirements or risk being turned back.
As a rule of thumb, however, opting for winter tires means you’ll have better handling and stopping when the temperatures drop into the 40’s or lower.
While you may not want to purchase dedicated winter tires for in-city driving, you can always rent a car that comes equipped with winter tires and snow chains for your road trip.
Are Winter Tires Mandatory In Washington State?
While the State doesn’t have a blanket requirement for dedicated winter tires, it does issue traction and chain requirements under certain conditions, especially when going up mountain passes or during significant winter weather.
You’ll see Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) signage with “traction tires required” or “chains required” during such times. Here’s what the signage means:
- Traction tires required: your tires must be approved for snow/ice conditions.
- Chains required: that you must stop and install approved tire chains (or state‐approved alternates) on the drive wheels. This applies to AWD/4WD vehicles as well when indicated
- Studded tires are only legal between Nov 1 and March 31 but do not meet chain requirements.
At Ascent Car Rental, all our cars come equipped with dedicated winter tires, so you are compliant with regulations, no matter where your route takes you.
What Qualifies As A Winter Or Traction Tire?
Legal traction tires in Washington must have at least ⅛ inch of tread depth along with one of the following symbols on the tire wall:
- M+S (Mud and Snow) tires
- Dedicated winter tires with the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol
Winter tires offer the maximum safety when you’re driving in extreme conditions.
Do All-Season Tires Work In Seattle Winters?
All-season tires are usually fine for everyday in-city driving and most car rental companies offer these as standard. Very often, you may have to pay extra for renting a vehicle equipped with winter tires. Additionally, most car rental companies also do not allow you to put winter chains on your rental vehicle unless required by law. They do not supply snow chains which means you have to purchase or rent them separately.
At Ascent Car Rental, we believe winter adventures should be about exploring, not worrying about traction. That’s why all our vehicles come equipped with dedicated winter tires during the colder months. If you’re travelling to areas where you may need tire chains for snow, we’re can supply them. In fact, our team is happy to talk you through installing them too!
Enforcement, Fines, And Insurance
Failing to comply with traction tires advisories and snow chain requirements can lead to a variety of repercussions. You may be asked to turn back at a chain-up area. You may also be fined up to $500.
In case you get into an accident, your winter tires, or lack thereof, may be a deciding factor in determining your degree of fault, potentially increasing insurance premiums.
Ascent Winter Car Rental
At Ascent Car Rental, we make your winter road trip and WSDOT winter compliance easy. When you rent a car with us, you can rest assured that:
- Our cars are equipped with winter tires.
- Chains are available upon request.
- Each vehicle is thoroughly inspected before pickup — tires included.
Book your winter car rental online today!