UDOT Launches Winter Traction Law Quiz
A new online quiz helps Utah drivers determine which tires or traction devices they need for winter travel.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Car Maintenance
Live Poll
Have you checked whether your vehicle meets Utah's winter traction requirements?
The Utah Department of Transportation has launched a traction law quiz that gives drivers personalized guidance on the tires or traction devices they need. Local law enforcement is also conducting tire inspections in the Cottonwood Canyons.
Why it matters
Winter traction requirements can be difficult to understand, and the quiz is meant to make them easier to follow before drivers head into mountain roads. Traction restrictions in the Cottonwood Canyons can be activated before a winter storm arrives, so drivers need to prepare in advance.
The Roads to Recreation program now covers the Timpanogos Area, Cottonwood Canyons, Wasatch Back, Ogden Valley, and Zion Area, and the sticker program has been running for several years. Officials have not reported how many vehicles have been inspected or how many drivers have used the quiz.
The players
Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT)
The state agency responsible for Utah's highways, including the traction law requirements and the Roads to Recreation program in the Cottonwood Canyons and other mountain corridors.
The details
Drivers can find the traction law quiz on UDOT's website, which bases its recommendations on their vehicle and planned travel location. During tire inspections in the Cottonwood Canyons, officers check tire equipment and tread depth, and vehicles displaying a sticker are waved past checkpoints.
Timeline
Winter season: traction restrictions may be activated before storms arrive.
Current year: the traction law quiz launched as a new offering.
Season Trajectory
The launch of the traction law quiz extends Utah's Roads to Recreation program, which has expanded to cover the Timpanogos Area alongside the Cottonwood Canyons, Wasatch Back, Ogden Valley, and Zion Area. Winter traction enforcement in the canyons is becoming more structured as the program grows.
Drivers heading into the Cottonwood Canyons should check whether their tires meet the traction requirements before a storm, since restrictions can be activated quickly. Using the quiz beforehand helps determine whether a vehicle needs chains, snow tires, or another traction device.
The takeaway
Checking your tires and traction equipment before winter travel can help you avoid delays or fines when canyon restrictions take effect. The state quiz is a quick way to confirm what your specific vehicle needs.
Further reading
For more on keeping your vehicle ready for mountain conditions, see Car Maintenance coverage.
Live Poll
Have you checked whether your vehicle meets Utah's winter traction requirements?
