RCW 46.37.420
Tires—Restrictions.
(1) It is unlawful to operate a vehicle upon the public highways of this state unless it is completely equipped with pneumatic rubber tires except vehicles equipped with temporary-use spare tires that meet federal standards that are installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
(2) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway may have on its periphery any block, flange, cleat, or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it is permissible to use farm machinery equipped with pneumatic tires or solid rubber tracks having protuberances that will not injure the highway, and except also that it is permissible to use tire chains, alternative traction devices, or metal studs imbedded within the tire of reasonable proportions and of a type conforming to rules adopted by the state patrol, upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. It is unlawful to use metal studs imbedded within the tire between April 1st and November 1st, except that a vehicle may be equipped year-round with tires that have retractable studs if: (a) The studs retract pneumatically or mechanically to below the wear bar of the tire when not in use; and (b) the retractable studs are engaged only between November 1st and April 1st. Retractable studs may be made of metal or other material and are not subject to the lightweight stud weight requirements under RCW 46.04.272. The state department of transportation may, from time to time, determine additional periods in which the use of tires with metal studs imbedded therein is lawful.
(3) The state department of transportation and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may issue special permits authorizing the operation upon a highway of traction engines or tractors having movable tracks with transverse corrugations upon the periphery of the movable tracks or farm tractors or other farm machinery, the operation of which upon a highway would otherwise be prohibited under this section.
(4) Tires with metal studs imbedded therein may be used between November 1st and April 1st upon school buses and fire department vehicles, any law or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding.
[ 2012 c 75 § 1; 2007 c 140 § 2; 1999 c 208 § 1; 1990 c 105 § 1; 1987 c 330 § 721; 1986 c 113 § 4; 1984 c 7 § 50; 1971 ex.s. c 32 § 1; 1969 ex.s. c 7 § 1; 1961 c 12 § 46.37.420. Prior: 1955 c 269 § 42; prior: (i) 1937 c 189 § 41; RRS § 6360-41; RCW 46.36.100. (ii) 1937 c 189 § 42; RRS § 6360-42; RCW 46.36.120; 1929 c 180 § 7; 1927 c 309 § 46; RRS § 6362-46.]
NOTES:
Construction—Application of rules—Severability—1987 c 330: See notes following RCW 28B.12.050.
Dangerous road conditions requiring special tires, chains, metal studs: RCW 47.36.250.
Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—Additional requirements and limitations: RCW 46.37.539.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 46.37 - Vehicle Lighting and Other Equipment.
46.37.005 - State patrol—Additional powers and duties.
46.37.010 - Scope and effect of regulations—General penalty.
46.37.020 - When lighted lamps and signaling devices are required.
46.37.030 - Visibility distance and mounted height of lamps.
46.37.040 - Head lamps on motor vehicles.
46.37.070 - Stop lamps and electric turn signals required.
46.37.080 - Application of succeeding sections.
46.37.090 - Additional equipment required on certain vehicles.
46.37.100 - Color of clearance lamps, side marker lamps, backup lamps, and reflectors.
46.37.110 - Mounting of reflectors, clearance lamps, identification lamps, and side marker lamps.
46.37.120 - Visibility of reflectors, clearance lamps, identification lamps, and side marker lamps.
46.37.130 - Obstructed lights not required.
46.37.140 - Lamps, reflectors, and flags on projecting load.
46.37.150 - Lamps on vehicles—Parked or stopped vehicles, lighting requirements.
46.37.160 - Hazard warning lights and reflectors on farm equipment—Slow-moving vehicle emblem.
46.37.180 - Spot lamps and auxiliary lamps.
46.37.184 - Red flashing lights on fire department vehicles—Rear-facing blue lights—Combination.
46.37.185 - Green light on firefighters' private cars.
46.37.186 - Fire department sign or plate on private car.
46.37.187 - Green light, sign or plate—Identification card required.
46.37.188 - Penalty for violation of RCW 46.37.184 through 46.37.188.
46.37.190 - Warning devices on vehicles—Other drivers yield and stop.
46.37.191 - Implementing rules.
46.37.196 - Red lights on emergency tow trucks.
46.37.200 - Stop lamps and electric turn signals displayed.
46.37.210 - Additional lighting equipment.
46.37.215 - Hazard warning lamps.
46.37.220 - Multiple-beam road-lighting equipment.
46.37.230 - Use of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment.
46.37.240 - Single-beam road-lighting equipment.
46.37.260 - Alternate road lighting equipment.
46.37.270 - Number of lamps required—Number of additional lamps permitted.
46.37.280 - Special restrictions on lamps.
46.37.290 - Special lighting equipment on school buses and private carrier buses.
46.37.300 - Standards for lights on snow-removal or highway maintenance and service equipment.
46.37.310 - Selling or using lamps or equipment.
46.37.320 - Authority of state patrol regarding lighting devices or other safety equipment.
46.37.330 - Revocation of certificate of approval on devices—Reapproval, conditions.
46.37.340 - Braking equipment required.
46.37.351 - Performance ability of brakes.
46.37.360 - Maintenance of brakes—Brake system failure indicator.
46.37.365 - Hydraulic brake fluid—Defined—Standards and specifications.
46.37.369 - Wheels and front suspension.
46.37.375 - Steering and suspension systems.
46.37.380 - Horns, warning devices, and theft alarms.
46.37.390 - Mufflers required—Smoke and air contaminant standards—Definitions—Penalty, exception.
46.37.395 - Compression brakes (Jake brakes).
46.37.400 - Mirrors, backup devices.
46.37.410 - Windshields required, exception—Must be unobstructed and equipped with wipers.
46.37.420 - Tires—Restrictions.
46.37.4215 - Lightweight and retractable studs—Certification by sellers.
46.37.4216 - Lightweight and retractable studs—Sale of tires containing.
46.37.423 - Pneumatic passenger car tires—Standards—Exception for off-highway use—Penalty.
46.37.424 - Regrooved tires—Standards—Exception for off-highway use—Penalty.
46.37.425 - Tires—Unsafe—State patrol's authority—Penalty.
46.37.430 - Safety glazing—Sunscreening or coloring.
46.37.440 - Flares or other warning devices required on certain vehicles.
46.37.450 - Disabled vehicle—Display of warning devices.
46.37.467 - Alternative fuel source—Placard required.
46.37.470 - Air conditioning equipment.
46.37.480 - Headsets, earphones.
46.37.490 - Safety load chains and devices required.
46.37.495 - Safety chains for towing.
46.37.500 - Fenders or splash aprons.
46.37.505 - Child passenger restraint systems.
46.37.510 - Seat belts and shoulder harnesses.
46.37.517 - Body and body hardware.
46.37.518 - Street rod, custom, and kit vehicles—Optional and required equipment.
46.37.5185 - Street rod and custom vehicles—Blue dot taillights.
46.37.520 - Beach vehicles with soft tires—"Dune buggies"—Inspection and approval required—Fee.
46.37.522 - Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—When head lamps and tail lamps to be lighted.
46.37.523 - Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—Head lamps.
46.37.524 - Motor-driven cycles—Head lamps.
46.37.525 - Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—Tail lamps, reflectors, and stop lamps.
46.37.527 - Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—Brake requirements.
46.37.528 - Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—Performance ability of brakes.
46.37.529 - Motor-driven cycles—Braking system inspection.
46.37.535 - Motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, or mopeds—Helmet requirements when rented.
46.37.537 - Motorcycles—Exhaust system.
46.37.539 - Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles—Additional requirements and limitations.
46.37.540 - Odometers—Disconnecting, resetting, or turning back prohibited.
46.37.550 - Odometers—Selling motor vehicle knowing odometer turned back unlawful.
46.37.560 - Odometers—Selling motor vehicle knowing odometer replaced unlawful.
46.37.570 - Odometers—Selling, advertising, using, or installing device registering false mileage.
46.37.590 - Odometers—Purchaser plaintiff to recover costs and attorney's fee, when.
46.37.600 - Liability of operator, owner, lessee for violations.
46.37.610 - Wheelchair conveyance standards.
46.37.620 - School buses—Crossing arms.
46.37.630 - Private school buses.
46.37.640 - Air bags—Definitions.
46.37.660 - Air bags—Replacement requirements, diagnostic system—Penalties.
46.37.670 - Signal preemption devices—Prohibited—Exceptions.
46.37.671 - Signal preemption device—Possession—Penalty.
46.37.672 - Signal preemption device—Use, sale, purchase—Penalty.
46.37.674 - Signal preemption device—Accident—Substantial bodily harm—Penalty.
46.37.675 - Signal preemption device—Accident—Death—Penalty.
46.37.680 - Sound system attachment.
46.37.685 - License plate flipping device—Unlawful use, display, sale—Penalty.