Washington State law typically requires studded tires be removed by March 31st but this year the deadline has been extended to April 30th. Officials at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) said in an announcement,
Washington is experiencing some extraordinary challenges with COVID-19 right now and we recognize this is not a time for ‘business as usual.’ People are dealing with a lot of concerns – trying to get tires changed by the end of the month doesn’t need to be one of them.WSDOT Maintenance Operations Branch Manager James Morin (March 20, 2020)
The WSDOT announcement also pointed out that many tire removal services are among businesses sending employees home to help stop the spread of the virus and this could make it difficult to meet the deadline.
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Click for more informationWSDOT encourages drivers to remove studded tires prior to the deadline when possible. Studded tires are known to damage pavement, so removing them promptly after winter has passed helps preserve state roadways.
Tire removal services can get crowded near the removal deadline, so scheduling early is often the best advice.
Driving with studded tires after the deadline will be a traffic infraction that could result in a $136 ticket. The Washington law applies to all drivers in the state, even visitors. No personal exemptions or waivers are issued.