Studded Tires Must Be Removed By Monday

The shining sun isn’t the only sign that winter is over: It’s officially time to get winter tires removed.

The Idaho Transportation Department is reminding drivers that, according to Idaho law, studded winter tires need to be removed by April 30.

Using studded tires is illegal in Idaho from April 30 to October 1.

Studded tires have metal cleats in the tread to help promote traction on snow and ice, but in the summer, they can tear up the road and cause more damage than good.

At the Costco Tire Center in Pocatello, manager Brady Paulson said he sees an influx of business around this time, as people remember that they need to get their tires changed out.

While the law talks only about studded tires, it’s a good time to remove any winter tires that you have, whether they have cleats or not, Paulson said. He said the regular road can wear down the tread onwinter tires without cleats, too.

Despite the increase, Paulson said that Costco has time open on Monday for people who need to change out their wheels last minute.

“If you have studded tires on there it’s a good thing to take them off. Stud tires are meant for the icy, slick roads, and we are going into the dry season, so we don’t need them on there any more. Another thing, they tend to chew up the road a little so we want to make sure we get them off at a safe point when we can make that decision,” Paulson said.

Studded tires had to be off in Utah by March 31. In Montana, drivers have until May 31 to remove them, but in Wyoming, drivers can have them on all year.

Oregon’s deadline has been extended to April 9, and Washington’s has been extended until April 16 because of slick conditions.