CHAPTER 18. TIRES
IC 9-19-18
Chapter 18. Tires
IC 9-19-18-1
Solid rubber tires
Sec. 1. A solid tire made of rubber on a vehicle must have rubber
on the tire's entire traction surface at least one (1) inch thick above
the edge of the flange of the entire periphery.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 9-19-18-2
Metal tires
Sec. 2. A person may not operate or move on a highway a motor
vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer having a metal tire in contact with the
roadway.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 9-19-18-3
Protuberances on tires
Sec. 3. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) through (e), a tire
on a vehicle moved on a highway may not have on the tire's
periphery a block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or any other
protuberance of any material other than rubber that projects beyond
the tread of the traction surface of the tire.
(b) Implements of agriculture may use tires having protuberances
that will not injure the highway.
(c) Tire chains of reasonable proportions may be used upon a
vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other
conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.
(d) From October 1 to the following May 1, a vehicle may use
tires in which have been inserted ice grips or tire studs, including
retractable tire studs, that:
(1) are of wear-resisting material;
(2) are installed in a manner that provides resiliency upon
contact with the road;
(3) have projections that do not exceed three thirty-seconds
(3/32) of an inch beyond the tread of the traction surface of the
tire; and
(4) are constructed to prevent any appreciable damage to the
road surface.
(e) Notwithstanding subsection (d), a vehicle may be equipped
year-round with tires that have retractable tire studs if the tire studs
remain retracted from May 2 to September 30 of each year.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.210-2005, SEC.30;
P.L.35-2008, SEC.2.
IC 9-19-18-4
Special permits
Sec. 4. The Indiana department of transportation and local
authorities in their respective jurisdictions may in their discretion
issue special permits authorizing the operation upon a highway of:
(1) traction engines;
(2) tractors having movable tracks with transverse corrugations
upon the periphery of movable tracks; or
(3) farm tractors or implements of agriculture designed to be
operated primarily in a farm field or on farm premises;
the operation of which upon a highway would otherwise be
prohibited under this chapter.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.210-2005, SEC.31.
IC 9-19-18-5
United States Department of Transportation regulations;
classification of violations
Sec. 5. (a) This section does not apply to a person who owns or
operates a vehicle or combination of vehicles that:
(1) contains parts and accessories; and
(2) is equipped;
as required under regulations of the United States Department of
Transportation.
(b) A person who violates this chapter commits a Class C
infraction.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.