PDFWAC 204-24-030
Standards for studded tires.
Studded tires must meet the following specifications:
(1) Studs must be metal, tipped with tungsten carbide.
(2) Metal studs must be inserted only in a new tire or a newly-recapped tire which has molded in the tread the "pin-holes" into which metal studs are to be inserted. Studs must not be inserted in any new tire or newly-recapped tire after it has been driven on a vehicle.
(3) Metal studs may be installed only by the tire manufacturer, or by a tire dealer or tire jobber who shall install the metal studs in conformance with the manufacturer's specifications.
(4) When a tire is sold or offered for sale as a studded tire or when studs are installed in a new tire or a newly recapped tire, there must be a minimum of seventy metal studs evenly spaced around the tread of the tire.
(5) A tire must contain a minimum of fifty-six metal studs at all times in order to qualify as a "studded tire" or as an approved traction device.
(6) Metal studs must not be installed in any tire of a vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight of ten thousand pounds or over.
(7) School buses and fire department equipment tires are exempt from subsection (6) of this section.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.005 and 46.37.420. WSR 08-24-030, § 204-24-030, filed 11/24/08, effective 12/25/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.420, 46.12.330, 46.37.005. WSR 02-19-055, § 204-24-030, filed 9/12/02, effective 10/13/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.12.330. WSR 00-15-009, § 204-24-030, filed 7/10/00, effective 8/10/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.37.420. WSR 92-05-016, § 204-24-030, filed 2/10/92, effective 3/12/92; WSR 83-21-080 (Order 83-10-01), § 204-24-030, filed 10/19/83; Order 7607, § 204-24-030, filed 9/14/76; Order 6902, § 204-24-030, filed 2/17/70.]