{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1043.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1043.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1043.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1043.html"}],"law_id":62940,"edition_id":1,"section_id":62940,"structure_id":15545,"section_number":"46.2-1043","catch_line":"Tire tread depth","history":"1968, c. 145, \u00a7 46.1-295.3; 1973, c. 162; 1983, c. 281; 1984, c. 125; 1989, c. 727.","full_text":"A\n\nNo person shall operate a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer on any highway in the Commonwealth if it is equipped with one or more tires which:1\n\nWhen measured in any two adjacent major tread grooves where the tread is thinnest, at three equally spaced intervals around the circumference of the tire and exclusive of “tiebars” by a tread depth gauge calibrated in thirty-seconds of an inch, are found to have tread depth of less than two thirty-seconds of an inch at such locations; or2\n\nWhen equipped with tread wear indicators, are found to have such indicators in contact with pavement at any two adjacent grooves at three equally spaced intervals around the circumference of the tire.B\n\nNo motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer shall be issued a safety inspection approval sticker if equipped with any tire whose use is prohibited under the provisions of this section.C\n\nThis section shall not apply to tires mounted on dual wheels installed on motor vehicles which have seats for more than seven passengers and are (i) operated wholly within a municipality, or (ii) operated by urban and suburban bus lines. For purposes of this section, “urban and suburban bus lines” are defined as bus lines operating over regular scheduled routes the majority of whose passengers use the buses for traveling one-way distances not exceeding forty miles on the same day between their residence and their place of work, shopping areas, or schools.D\n\nThe foregoing exemptions shall not apply to buses owned or operated by any public school district, private school, or contract operator of school buses.E\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to any vehicle not required to be registered or licensed.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":229585,"text":"No person shall operate a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer on any highway in the Commonwealth if it is equipped with one or more tires which:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":229586,"text":"When measured in any two adjacent major tread grooves where the tread is thinnest, at three equally spaced intervals around the circumference of the tire and exclusive of “tiebars” by a tread depth gauge calibrated in thirty-seconds of an inch, are found to have tread depth of less than two thirty-seconds of an inch at such locations; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":229587,"text":"When equipped with tread wear indicators, are found to have such indicators in contact with pavement at any two adjacent grooves at three equally spaced intervals around the circumference of the tire.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"B"},"3":{"id":229588,"text":"No motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer shall be issued a safety inspection approval sticker if equipped with any tire whose use is prohibited under the provisions of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":229589,"text":"This section shall not apply to tires mounted on dual wheels installed on motor vehicles which have seats for more than seven passengers and are (i) operated wholly within a municipality, or (ii) operated by urban and suburban bus lines. For purposes of this section, “urban and suburban bus lines” are defined as bus lines operating over regular scheduled routes the majority of whose passengers use the buses for traveling one-way distances not exceeding forty miles on the same day between their residence and their place of work, shopping areas, or schools.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":229590,"text":"The foregoing exemptions shall not apply to buses owned or operated by any public school district, private school, or contract operator of school buses.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"6":{"id":229591,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to any vehicle not required to be registered or licensed.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15545,"edition_id":1,"name":"Tires","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12828,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:56:12","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:56:12","permalink":{"id":229563,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15545,"identifier":"4","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/4","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12828,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12828,"identifier":"10","token":"46.2\/III\/10","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59301,"structure_id":15545,"section_number":"46.2-1041","catch_line":"Restrictions as to solid rubber tires","url":"\/46.2-1041\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/4\/46.2-1041","metadata":false},{"id":86506,"structure_id":15545,"section_number":"46.2-1042","catch_line":"Standard for vehicle tire; sale of certain tires prohibited; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1042\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/4\/46.2-1042","metadata":false},{"id":62940,"structure_id":15545,"section_number":"46.2-1043","catch_line":"Tire tread depth","url":"\/46.2-1043\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/4\/46.2-1043","metadata":false},{"id":83278,"structure_id":15545,"section_number":"46.2-1043.1","catch_line":"Tire loading","url":"\/46.2-1043.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/4\/46.2-1043.1","metadata":false},{"id":79904,"structure_id":15545,"section_number":"46.2-1044","catch_line":"Cleats, etc., on tires; chains; tires with studs","url":"\/46.2-1044\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/4\/46.2-1044","metadata":false},{"id":81589,"structure_id":15545,"section_number":"46.2-1045","catch_line":"Sale of tires having cleats, etc., prohibited; studded tires excepted","url":"\/46.2-1045\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/4\/46.2-1045","metadata":false},{"id":67796,"structure_id":15545,"section_number":"46.2-1046","catch_line":"Traction engines and tractors","url":"\/46.2-1046\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/4\/46.2-1046","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":86506,"structure_id":15545,"section_number":"46.2-1042","catch_line":"Standard for vehicle tire; sale of certain tires prohibited; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1042\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/4\/46.2-1042","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":83278,"structure_id":15545,"section_number":"46.2-1043.1","catch_line":"Tire loading","url":"\/46.2-1043.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/4\/46.2-1043.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1043\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1968. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 145 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1968 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1973, chapter 162; in 1983, chapter 281; in 1984, chapter 125; in 1989, chapter 727.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":229573,"object_type":"law","relational_id":62940,"identifier":"46.2-1043","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/4\/46.2-1043","url":"\/46.2-1043\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1043\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/4\/46.2-1043","dublin_core":{"Title":"Tire tread depth","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1043","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No person shall operate a motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> on any highway<\/span> in the Commonwealth if it is equipped with one or more tires which: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> When measured in any two adjacent major tread grooves where the tread is thinnest, at three equally spaced intervals around the circumference of the tire and exclusive of “tiebars” by a tread depth gauge calibrated in thirty-seconds of an inch, are found to have tread depth of less than two thirty-seconds of an inch at such locations; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> When equipped with tread wear indicators, are found to have such indicators in contact with pavement at any two adjacent grooves at three equally spaced intervals around the circumference of the tire. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> shall be issued a safety inspection approval sticker if equipped with any tire whose use is prohibited under the provisions of this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> This section shall not apply to tires mounted on dual wheels installed on motor vehicles<\/span> which have seats for more than seven passengers and are (i) operated wholly within a municipality, or (ii) operated by urban and suburban bus lines. For purposes of this section, “urban and suburban bus lines” are defined as bus lines operating over regular scheduled routes the majority of whose passengers use the buses for traveling one-way distances not exceeding forty miles on the same day between their residence and their place of work, shopping areas, or schools. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The foregoing exemptions shall not apply to buses owned or operated by any public school district, private school, or contract<\/span> operator<\/span> of school buses. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to any vehicle not required to be registered or licensed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nTIRE TREAD DEPTH (\u00a7 46.2-1043)\n\nA. No person shall operate a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer on any\nhighway in the Commonwealth if it is equipped with one or more tires which:\n\n 1. When measured in any two adjacent major tread grooves where the tread is\n thinnest, at three equally spaced intervals around the circumference of the\n tire and exclusive of “tiebars” by a tread depth gauge calibrated\n in thirty-seconds of an inch, are found to have tread depth of less than two\n thirty-seconds of an inch at such locations; or\n\n 2. When equipped with tread wear indicators, are found to have such indicators\n in contact with pavement at any two adjacent grooves at three equally spaced\n intervals around the circumference of the tire.\n\nB. No motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer shall be issued a safety inspection\napproval sticker if equipped with any tire whose use is prohibited under the\nprovisions of this section.\n\nC. This section shall not apply to tires mounted on dual wheels installed on\nmotor vehicles which have seats for more than seven passengers and are (i)\noperated wholly within a municipality, or (ii) operated by urban and suburban\nbus lines. For purposes of this section, “urban and suburban bus\nlines” are defined as bus lines operating over regular scheduled routes\nthe majority of whose passengers use the buses for traveling one-way distances\nnot exceeding forty miles on the same day between their residence and their\nplace of work, shopping areas, or schools.\n\nD. The foregoing exemptions shall not apply to buses owned or operated by any\npublic school district, private school, or contract operator of school buses.\n\nE. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any vehicle not required to\nbe registered or licensed.\n\nHISTORY: 1968, c. 145, \u00a7 46.1-295.3; 1973, c. 162; 1983, c. 281; 1984, c. 125;\n1989, c. 727.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}