Snow By State

From Arctic Air Snow:

“Snow Laws by State”

The laws and penalties for each state differ. We can help you find out what you need to know.

Alabama: No specific laws. Citations may be issued if snow or ice accumulation obscures vision.

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. If cited, $50.00/0 points.

Arizona: No specific laws.

Arkansas: No specific laws. No additional tolerance or allowance for snow/ice when weighing trucks.

California: None.

Colorado: Unknown.

Connecticut: Section 1. (a) The operator of any motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1 of the general statues, 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.

Delaware: No specific laws.

District Of Columbia: Will stop large trucks that have large amounts of snow/ice accumulation.

Florida: Unknown.

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. It is believed that 392.9 could be used to deal with loose or falling snow/ice. This could result in out-of-service. A traffic citation would be at the officer's discretion. If a vehicle has snow/ice acclamation that weight would be included, with the vehicle's owner potentially cited for overweight.

Hawaii: No specific laws.

Idaho: No specific laws.

Illinois:  No specific laws.

Indiana: No specific laws but Indiana Turnpike will deny use unless snow is removed.

Iowa: None. Snow that would put a vehicle over height generally would be overlooked. Ice coming off a roof could be cited by an officer's discretion and cited under a general regulation.

Kansas: Unknown.

Kentucky: None.

Louisiana: None.

Maine: Unknown.

Maryland: Unknown.

Massachusetts: Pending state legislation: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/House/H3162 Failure to remove snow from the top of a vehicle could result in a $35 citation from an officer, and in some cases, if shards of hardened snow and debris lead to an accident, or damage another vehicle, criminal charges could apply. Trucks have been stopped for snow and ice fall off causing property damage to another vehicle, but stop is for tort hazard.

Michigan: Michigan has no law that addresses snow/ice in particular. It falls under the general operations requirement. Snow/ice accumulation could result in an overweight situation if near limits. There could be a citation if excessive amounts of falling snow/ice interfered with traffic, which would be applicable to all motor vehicles.

Minnesota: None.

Mississippi: None.

Missouri: None.

Montana: None.

Nebraska: Warning ticket is issued for a truck that is 5% or less over gross weight. Minimum ticket is $25 plus court costs of $45. In active storm, enforcement officers will allow driver to clear snow/ice buildup prior to weighing.

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 manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property. Guilty of a violation and shall be fined not less than $250 nor more than $500 for a first offense and not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense

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. The operator of a non-commercial motor vehicle shall be subject to a fine of not less than $200 or more than $1,000 for each offense. The operator, owner, lessee, bailee or any one of the aforesaid of a commercial motor vehicle shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,500 for each offense. No motor vehicle points or automobile insurance eligibility points shall be assessed for this offense, however, any violation of this law requires an appearance in Court. Fines for not removing “dangerous accumulations” of snow will be from $25 to $75.

New Mexico: None.

New York: Unknown.

North Carolina: None.

North Dakota: There is requirement that snow/ice accumulation that causes the vehicle to be overweight must be removed immediately.

Ohio: No specific laws. Law enforcement would use state laws applicable to all motor vehicles. Ohio Turnpike will deny use until snow is removed. No additional tolerance or allowance for snow/ice when weighing trucks. Ice falling producing an accident would be charged as insecure load.

Oklahoma: None.

Oregon:  No specific laws, "Rules of the Road" would apply if there is an accident. Driver given an opportunity to remove snow/ice accumulation if overweight.

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. Fines of $200-$1,000 per 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. Load securement possible.

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: Unknown.

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. Citation for a violation of this nature is rare, but can be fined at $181.

Wyoming: None.

^ Whether there is a law or not basic common sense tells you to completely clear ALL snow and ice off you car or truck. ^

https://www.arcticairsnowremoval.com/laws