ARE YOU READY FOR THE TRACTION LAW?
Do you have a 4WD or AWD vehicle?*
*Even if your car is a 4WD or AWD vehicle, CDOT
recommends that all vehicles have adequate tires:
• Tires with a mud and snow designation (M+S icon)
• Winter tires (mountain-snowflake icon)

YES
Is your tire tread depth
at least 3/16"?

YES
YOU’RE PREPARED!
You meet the
Traction Law
requirements!

NO

• Tires with an all-weather rating by the manufacturer

Do you have snow tires or tires with
a mud/snow (M/S) designation?

NO

YES

Do you have
tire chains or
an AutoSock?

NO

Is your tire tread
depth at least
3/16"?

YES
YES
YOU MEET THE
TRACTION LAW
REQUIREMENTS!
Consider investing in
new tires with more
than 3/16" tread depth.

NO

Learn more at codot.gov/tractionlaw

YES

YOU’RE PREPARED!
You meet the
Traction Law
requirements!

UH OH!
Your vehicle
is good, but you’ll
need to invest in new
tires with at least 3/16"
tread or tire chains
to meet the Traction
Law requirements.

Do you have
tire chains or
an AutoSock?

NO

YOU MEET THE
TRACTION LAW
REQUIREMENTS!
Consider investing in
new tires with more
than 3/16" tread depth.

YOUR TIRE TREAD
IS TOO SHALLOW.
Your tires won’t perform
well in winter conditions.
You’ll need to invest
in tires with better
tread depth.

NO
YOU DO NOT MEET
THE TRACTION LAW
REQUIREMENTS.
Invest in new tires
or a traction control
device like tire chains
or an AutoSock to meet
Traction Law requirements.

If you don’t meet the Traction Law requirements and you cause a crash,
you’ll be subject to a $130 citation. The fine jumps to $650 if the
Traction Law violation results in the closure of traffic lanes.