UDOT Traction Law

BE READY FOR WINTER DRIVING

If you’re headed to Utah’s ski resorts, make sure you’re prepared for winter conditions and have the required traction devices for our roads.

Winter Driving Tips

Rent a Vehicle

What is the “Traction Law” and what are “Traction Devices”?

The Traction Law is Utah’s administrative rule (R920-6) that the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and law enforcement implements during severe winter driving conditions. It is important to ensure that you have appropriate traction devices (snow tires, chains, snow socks, etc.) for winter driving conditions. Traction devices are required during severe winter weather conditions on roads throughout Utah, including Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.

Utah’s new, enhanced traction requirements ensure people have the right equipment on our roads — which will ultimately keep us safe. The new restrictions allow UDOT to put requirements in place 24 hours before a storm begins, and the updated rule creates a new “Class 3” designation with stricter requirements for the Cottonwood Canyons.

When the lights outside the canyons are flashing, vehicles visiting Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon must have at least 5/32 inch tread depth on their tires. Tires must be M+S or snow tires, depending on the type of vehicle.

AWD/4WD: M + S or M/S tires on all wheels is the minimum requirement. Traction devices such as chains, snow socks, etc. or 3 peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) tires on all wheels are also acceptable and provide the most reliable traction in severe winter conditions.

2WD: 3 peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) tires on all wheels is the minimum requirement. Traction devices such as chains, snow socks, etc. on at least two drive wheels are also acceptable.

A flyer illustrating Utah traction device requirements, including types of traction devices, types of vehicles, and a map of roads where restrictions can go into effect.

A Spanish language flyer illustrating Utah traction device requirements, including types of traction devices, types of vehicles, and a map of roads where restrictions can go into effect.

TRACTION LAW FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the actual rule?

The current Utah Administrative rule (Rule R920-6. Traction Device/Tire Chain Requirements) states:

R920-6-4 (3)

When road surface conditions warrant, as determined by UDOT, UHP or designated local law enforcement agency, no vehicle will be allowed or permitted the use of the highway unless:

(a) For a Class 1 traction segment, the department may require that each vehicle with a GVWR of 12,000 pounds or more be equipped with one of the following:

(i) traction devices on all rear drive tires, except that traction devices are only required for one tire for each pair of dual-mounted drive tires; or

(ii) all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with M+S or 3PMSF tires

(b) for a class 2 traction segment, the department may require each vehicle to be equipped with one of the following:

(i) traction devices on at least two drive tires, or if the vehicle has a GVWR of 12,000 pounds or more and does not have all-wheel or four-wheel drive, traction devices on all rear drive tires as described in Subsection (2)(a)(i);

(ii) all-wheel or four-wheel drive with M+S or 3PMSF tires; or

(iii) if the vehicle has a GVWR of less than 12,000 pounds, two-wheel drive with 3PMSF tires; and

(i) traction devices on at least two drive tires, or if the vehicle has a GVWR of 12,000 or more and does not have all-wheel or four-wheel drive, traction devices on all rear drive tires as described in Subsection (2)(a)(i);

(ii) all-wheel or four-wheel drive with M+S or 3PMSF tires with a minimum of 5/32 inch tread depth remaining on each tire

R920-6-4 (4)

Travelers are notified when traction devices are required via road signs and UDOT's traveler information systems.

What changed this year?

(1) The new restrictions allow UDOT to put requirements in place before a storm begins.

(2) The law creates a new “Class 3” designation with stricter requirements for the Cottonwoods.

(3) When the lights outside the canyons are flashing, vehicles visiting the Cottonwoods must now have at least 5/32 inch tread depth on their tires, which need to be M+S or snow tires, depending on the type of vehicle.

What are the agency traction law responsibilities on snow days?

R920-6-5. Responsibilities

(1) The decision to require traction devices is made by UDOT, UHP or a designated local law enforcement agency. The agency deciding to require traction devices notifies the other agencies involved.

(2) UHP and/or a designated local law enforcement agency enforces the traction device requirements.

(3) UDOT communicates traction device requirements to the public.

(4) Personnel authorized to enforce this rule may permit vehicles that do not meet traction device requirements to travel a traction segment of the highway if authorized personnel believe they may do so without endangering public safety, creating a hazard, or interfering with highway maintenance operations.

You know it’s going to snow, why aren’t you requiring traction devices in the morning before people go up?

The new restrictions allow UDOT to put requirements in place 24-hours before a storm begins.

It is important to note that when chains are installed and driven on dry roads, it can damage both the vehicles and the road. Having chains on when the roads are dry also makes it difficult for drivers to steer and travel at posted speed limits.

Who is causing all the slide offs in the canyons?

While many out-of-state 2WD cars without traction devices experience slide-offs or crashes, many vehicles are Utah residents who meet theTraction Law requirements. Even properly equipped vehicles can lose control due to worn tire tread, excessive speed or driver ability in navigating winter conditions.

It is critical that all travelers (locals or visiting) have confidence in their winter driving abilities. If you’re unsure, we recommend trying out the ski bus or delaying travel until road conditions improve.

What are M+S tires?

When a tire has M+S on it, that means that it meets the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) guidelines for a mud and snow tire. Tires with the M+S symbol continue to be the broader definition for the minimum acceptable levels of winter traction.

The M+S rating means that a tire has better mud/snow traction than a summer tire, but the rating doesn’t reflect traction for wet, soupy mud, slush, ice, fresh snow or even cold, dry pavement.

Most all-season tires do not qualify for the 3PMSF symbol because the tread rubber in all-season and summer tires become hard at temperatures below 40 F.

What are 3PMSF tires?

3PMSF tires meet more stringent winter traction performance requirements and have been rated for “severe snow service.”

These tires perform better than all-season tires on snowy, slippery roads and low temperature or freezing roads. This is accomplished by a different rubber compound that provides more grip on snow and on cold pavement than an all-season tire.

Cottonwood Canyons Traction Law Enforcement Locations

TRACTION LAW ENFORCEMENT

The Utah Legislature provided funding to UDOT through HB 488 that can be used to increase Traction Law enforcement in the canyons.
Maintaining open and safe roads in the canyons is the highest priority for road operations and law enforcement; however, resources may not always be available for enforcement if they are needed for public safety or road operations support.
All agencies need to respond to in-canyon incidents, have coverage areas beyond the canyons, and are actively assisting travelers throughout the day.
Law enforcement agencies have to balance available resources with operational needs and cannot guarantee strict enforcement at all times as part of their regularly staffed duties.
The extra funding through the partnership has increased Traction Law enforcement without taking officers away from their other public safety responsibilities in the canyons and their surrounding coverage areas.

Enforcement will focus on the morning uphill commute and the evening downhill commute as needed.
Traction enforcement officers are deployed when the traction lights are activated during the winter season while resorts are open. The duration of enforcement varies based on storm severity, holidays, and when high traffic volumes are expected.
On avalanche closure days, officers will have the option to check tires while vehicles are staged to help traffic flow better when the road opens.

All vehicles should have the proper traction devices installed before getting to the checkpoint to help keep traffic moving, people needing to install traction devices will need to exit the line and install them at designated chain up areas, refer to this map for locations.
Both the Little Cottonwood Canyon and Big Cottonwood Canyon enforcement/turnaround checkpoint areas are at the canyon entrances.
Officers and their vehicles will be located in designated areas so please drive alert for their safety and watch for their parked vehicles.
It is recommended that all travelers review this map, which shows enforcement/turnaround checkpoints and chain-up areas before heading to the canyons.

Traffic delays are influenced by the number of vehicles in the canyons, road conditions like snow, ice or low visibility, poorly equipped vehicles, and driver skill.
More enforcement will reduce the number of underprepared vehicles entering the canyons, but that is not the only factor affecting traffic flow. On some days, drivers may experience extended delays.
More vehicles having stickers will speed up the inspection process.
Better prepared vehicles and more informed drivers will help improve road safety for all canyons users.

Have your traction devices on by the time you get to the checkpoint.
Get a sticker so officers can verify compliance without needing to inspect your tires. Stickers are only issued to vehicles with a tread depth of at least 5/32 inch.
Carpool with someone who has a sticker or wait for the next available bus, especially if you’re not skilled or experienced with winter driving in the mountains.
Don’t drive distracted or too fast for conditions, the right traction devices can’t prevent crashes or slide offs if you’re doing either of those things.
Be alert, watch for parked law enforcement vehicles and officers on the road, and give them a safe space to inspect tires.
If you need to put on traction devices, please exit the line and install them at designated chain up areas, refer to this map for locations.

WINTER DRIVING TIPS

UDOT wants you to stay safe on the roads this winter. By following these tips and advice, you’ll be ready for winter driving. And don’t forget: Ice and Snow, Take it Slow!

An English language flyer about driving on Utah roads in the winter. Snowy scenes of cars driving in the canyon, and helpful summary of the Utah traction laws and winter driving tips.

Winter Driving Brochure

Winter Driving Brochure

Winter Driving Tips

RENTING A VEHICLE FOR WINTER WEATHER DRIVING

Winter weather driving is challenging, especially in the Cottonwood Canyons (SR-190, SR-210). If you are visiting from out-of-town and renting a vehicle, check with the rental company to verify that your vehicle is equipped with four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) and the correct tires.

UDOT has partnered with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Alamo, National and Budget out of the Salt Lake City Airport as well as Rugged Rental and Go Rentals for the UDOT Cottonwood Canyons Sticker Program to pre-inspect rental vehicle tires for the 2025/26 season.

If you choose one of these companies to rent a vehicle during your visit to Utah, look for a vehicle with a sticker on the inside of the front windshield – this is a vehicle that has been pre-inspected and meets Utah’s traction law requirements.

Go-Rentals:

For reserving vehicles at the airport, contact Go-Rentals At Your Service at 1-800-464-8267 to get prequalified and you will be given steps on how and where to retrieve your rental vehicle at the SLC International Airport.

If you are arriving via private aircraft at any of the surrounding FBO’s, you can contact the Go-Rentals direct line at 801-893-9263, where they will enter the reservation in-house and meet your planeside upon arrival with your rental vehicle.

Budget:

If you reserve any class of SUV or pickup truck at a Budget of Utah location, customer service will help you identify a vehicle with the sticker at the time of rental.

Enterprise, Alamo, National:

Enterprise, Alamo and National provide the ability to reserve “Guaranteed AWD” car classes on their websites. If “Guaranteed AWD” vehicles are all reserved, this option will disappear from the available vehicle list. If it is not showing as available, then all cars with stickers are already reserved.

Rugged Rental:

All Rugged Rental SUV and truck-type vehicles are within the Utah winter regulations. In addition, anything that has *4WD* or *AWD* on the Rugged Rental website also meets the requirements of the sticker program and Utah’s traction law.

UDOT Traction Law

BE READY FOR WINTER DRIVING