It’s the law!
The laws and penalties for each state differ. Here we’ve compiled a list of the most current State snow laws for 2023.
State Snow laws differ greatly between states and provinces and it is crucial for both fleet managers and drivers to be aware of the regulations in their operational areas to ensure the safe operation of trucks and buses following snowstorms. Staying updated on legislation in the states and provinces relevant to your incoming and outgoing vehicles is essential to prevent disruptions, violations, accidents, and to meet customer expectations.
Removing snow and ice buildup from vehicle roofs is always the smartest thing to do to keep our highways clean, and more importantly preserve lives.
| State | Law |
| Alabama | None |
| Alaska | Special regulations applies to all vehicles: Public Safety Part 1 Division of Alaska State Troopers Chapter 04 Motor Vehicle and Driving Offenses: Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Article 4 Brakes and Other Equipment 13 AAC 04.225. Windshields and wipers: (b) No person may drive a motor vehicle with a sign, poster or other nontransparent material on the front windshield or window of the vehicle which obstructs, obscures, or impairs the driver’s view; nor may a person drive a motor vehicle when there is an accumulation of snow, ice or frost on the windshield or windows which obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver’s view. (c) The windshield on a motor vehicle must be equipped with devices for cleaning rain, snow and other moisture from both sides of the windshield; the device must be constructed to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle, and must be maintained in good working order. (d) A motor vehicle required to have a windshield, except vehicles which do not have enclosed passenger compartments, must be equipped with a defrosting device to remove snow, ice, frost, or internal moisture from the windshield; this defrosting device must be maintained in good working order. |
| Arizona | None |
| Arkansas | None |
| California | None |
| Colorado | No specific laws. Excess snow may produce a high alert, which would preclude a truck entering Eisenhower Tunnel. |
| Connecticut | Section 1. (a) The operator of any motor vehicle, as defined in section 14- 1 of the general statutes, shall remove any accumulated ice or snow from such motor vehicle, including the hood, trunk and roof of such motor vehicle, so that any ice or snow accumulated on such vehicle does not pose a threat to persons or property while the vehicle is being operated on any street or highway of this state. (b) If the operator of a noncommercial motor vehicle violates the provisions of this section and snow or ice is dislodged from such vehicle and causes personal injury or property damage, the operator shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars but not more than one thousand dollars for each offense. If the operator of a commercial motor vehicle violates the provisions of this section and snow or ice is dislodged from such vehicle and causes personal injury or property damage, the operator shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars but not more than twelve hundred fifty dollars for each offense. (c) This section shall not apply to (1) any operator of a motor vehicle during a period of snow, sleet or freezing rain if such period began and continued during the period of the motor vehicle’s operation, or (2) any operator of a motor vehicle during the time such vehicle is parked. |
| Delaware | None |
| District of Columbia | Will stop tucks that have large amounts of snow/ice accumulation No citations issued |
| Florida | None |
| Florida | None |
| Georgia | No specific laws. However it the snow/ice accumulation on any vehicle presents a “danger” to other drivers, then the CVM driver could be cited under Georgia Code 40-8-7. |
| Hawaii | None |
| Idaho | None |
| Illinois | None |
| Indiana | No specific laws. Indiana Turnpike will deny use unless snow is removed. |
| Iowa | None |
| Kansas | None |
| Kentucky | None |
| Louisiana | None |
| Maine | None |
| Maryland | None |
| Massachusetts | officers can issue a $40 fine for impeded operation if a driver has obstructed windows and a $200 fine for driving with an unsecured load, which can include heavy sheets of snow or ice on a car’s roof.” |
| Michigan | Michigan has no law that addresses snow/ice in particular. It falls under the general operations requirement. |
| Minnesota | None |
| Mississippi | None |
| Missouri | None |
| Montana | None |
| Nebraska | None |
| Nevada | None |
| New Hampshire | Under New Hampshire State law, a driver can be cited for driving a vehicle in a manner that “endangers” or “is likely to endanger any person or property.” Large amounts of snow accumulating on a vehicle or trailer often melts and refreezes over time causing build-up of ice that can often damage vehicles when falling from a vehicle. Early removal of the snow after a snowstorm is the best way to prevent such ice from accumulating. It is also very important for drivers of all vehicles to leave sufficient space when following large trucks to give themselves enough time to react and be able to avoid any snow/ice in the event that it does fall from a large truck or trailer. 265:79-b Negligent Driving. – Whoever upon any way drives a vehicle negligently or causes a vehicle to be driven negligently, as defined in RSA 626:2, I(d), or in a mann |
| New Jersey | New Jersey has the following law that applies to all motor vehicles: Title 39:4-77.1 states that when snow or ice is dislodged from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing injury or property damage. Any vehicle with a “dangerous accumulation” of snow must have it removed before entering a public road. |
| New Mexico | None |
| New York | Legal but must not obstruct windows |
| North Carolina | None |
| North Dakota | None |
| Ohio | None |
| Oklahoma | None |
| Oregon | No specific laws, “Rules of the Road” would apply if there is an accident |
| Pennsylvania | 3720 (motor vehicle code Title 75): When snow or ice is dislodged or falls from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious bodily injury as defined in section 3742 (relating to accidents involving death or serious bodily injury), the operator of the vehicle from which the snow or ice is dislodged or falls shall be subject to a fine of not less than $ 200.00 and not more than $1,000.00 for each offense. |
| Rhode Island | None |
| South Carolina | None, however, if ice or snow falls off a driver’s unit and cause damage to another vehicle then we could be sited for improper load securement |
| South Dakota | None |
| Tennessee | None, however, leniency is given in the events of over weights due to ice and snow |
| Texas | None |
| Utah | None |
| Vermont | None |
| Virginia | None |
| Washington | None |
| West Virginia | W.VA. has no laws regarding the removal of accumulated snow on commercial vehicles or any other motor vehicle. A motorist striking another vehicle with falling snow/ice is considered a road hazard in 99% of cases. In the remaining 1% of cases that reach the court level, they have been ruled as unsecured equipment. |
| Wisconsin | No specific laws. However, if snow and/or ice were to fall from the vehicle and create a hazard, it could be cited under s. 348.10(2). More specifically, the statute reads: (2) No person shall operate a vehicle on a highway unless such vehicle is so constructed and loaded as to prevent its contents from dropping, sifting, leaking or otherwise escaping therefrom. |
| Wyoming | Windshields only |