§ 1006c. Chain requirements for vehicles with weight ratings of more than 26,000 pounds

(a) As used in this section, "chains" means link chains, cable chains, or another device that attaches to a vehicle's tire or wheel or to the vehicle itself and is designed to augment the traction of the vehicle under conditions of snow or ice.

(b) The Secretary of Transportation, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or the Commissioner of Public Safety, or their designees, may require the use of tire chains on specified portions of State highways during periods of winter weather for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 pounds or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of more than 26,000 pounds.

(c) When tire chains are required, advance notice shall be given to the traveling public through signage and, whenever possible, through public service announcements. In areas where tire chains are required, there shall be an adequate area for vehicles to pull off the traveled way to affix any chains that might be required.

(d) Under 3 V.S.A. chapter 25, the Traffic Committee may adopt such rules as are necessary to administer this section and may delegate this authority to the Secretary.

(e) When signs are posted and chains required in accordance with this section, chains shall be affixed as follows on vehicles with a GVWR or a GCWR of more than 26,000 pounds:

(1) Solo vehicles. A vehicle not towing another vehicle:

(A) that has a single-drive axle shall have chains on one tire on each side of the drive axle; or

(B) that has a tandem-drive axle shall have chains on:

(i) two tires on each side of the primary drive axle; or

(ii) if both axles are powered by the drive line, on one tire on each side of each drive axle.

(2) Vehicles with semitrailers or trailers. Vehicles with semitrailers or trailers. A vehicle towing one or more semitrailers or trailers:

(A) that has a single-drive axle towing a trailer shall have chains on two tires on each side of the drive axle and on one tire on the front axle and on one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer;

(B) that has a single-drive axle towing a semitrailer shall have chains on two tires on each side of the drive axle and on two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the semitrailer;

(C) that has a tandem-drive axle towing a trailer shall have:

(i) chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle, or if both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, on one tire on each side of each drive axle; and

(ii) chains on one tire of the front axle and on one tire on one of the rear axles of the trailer;

(D) that has a tandem-drive axle towing a semitrailer shall have:

(i) chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle, or if both axles of the vehicle are powered by the drive line, on one tire on each side of each drive axle; and

(ii) chains on two tires, one on each side, of any axle of the semitrailer.

(f) Either the operator of a vehicle required to be chained under this section who fails to affix chains as required in this section, or the operator's employer, shall be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000.00. If the violation results in substantially impeding the flow of traffic on a highway, the penalty shall be $2,000.00. For a second or subsequent conviction within a three-year period, the penalty shall be doubled. (Added 2009, No. 50, § 71; amended 2015, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 69; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 153; 2017, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 10.)