Snow chains and hire cars in NSW
In NSW, every 2WD vehicle entering Kosciuszko National Park between the June and October long weekends must carry snow chains; 4WD and AWD vehicles are not required to, though it is recommended. Rental cars do not come with chains: Hertz says it does not supply them, and Avis says it is your responsibility to have suitable equipment. So you buy or hire chains on the way, in Cooma, Berridale or Jindabyne. The mistake to avoid is fitting chains without checking your rental agreement, because under Hertz's terms getting it wrong voids your damage waiver.
Updated
Key facts
- Who must carry chains
- All 2WD vehicles entering Kosciuszko National Park between the June and October long weekends
- AWD and 4WD
- Not required to carry chains, but carrying them is recommended
- Winter tyres
- Vehicles with snow or winter tyres must still carry chains and fit them when directed
- Where fitting is compulsory
- Kosciuszko Road from the park boundary at Thredbo River to Perisher Valley, the Alpine Way between Thredbo and Tom Groggin, and the full length of Island Bend/Guthega Road
- Speed limit with chains
- Cars with radial tyres should not exceed 40 km/h with chains fitted
- Where chains are sold
- Ski and snowboard shops and service stations in Cooma, Berridale and Jindabyne; a BP in Thredbo stocks them as a backup
- Rental supply
- Hertz says it does not supply snow chains; Avis says you are responsible for suitable equipment
- Check on the day
- Variable message signs and traffic officers say when chains must go on; Live Traffic NSW shows alpine conditions
Do you need snow chains in NSW?
If your car is 2WD, yes: all 2WD vehicles entering Kosciuszko National Park between the June and October long weekends must carry chains. That is the rule that catches most hire car renters, because a standard hatch or sedan is 2WD.
4WD and AWD vehicles are not legally required to carry chains, though the NSW Government and Thredbo both recommend it for extreme weather. Winter or snow tyres do not replace chains: a car with them must still carry chains and fit them when directed.
Where and when do you have to fit them?
Fitting is compulsory on Kosciuszko Road from the park boundary at Thredbo River to Perisher Valley, on the Alpine Way between Thredbo and Tom Groggin, and on the full length of Island Bend/Guthega Road. Chains are recommended, not compulsory, on the Alpine Way between Jindabyne and Thredbo and on the Snowy Mountains Highway.
Variable message signs or an authorised traffic officer will tell you when chains are required. Drive to the next chain bay and fit them there. Police can inspect for chains, and driving in snowy areas without them can bring a fine.
Do rental cars come with snow chains?
No. Hertz says on its alpine driving page that it does not supply snow chains and you need to source your own before entering alpine regions. Avis says it does not provide advice on fitting them and that it is your responsibility to have suitable equipment fitted as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Other companies set their own terms, so ask the rental company about alpine travel when you book.
Can you put snow chains on a rental car?
Usually yes, but the agreement controls how. For example, Hertz's terms say you must check with the location that the car is fit for purpose and whether chains are required. Fitting them incorrectly, or not fitting legally required chains, is a prohibited use, you are fully liable for damage and the liability waiver you bought does not apply.
The same terms tell you to remove plastic hub caps before fitting chains, to tighten them after 50 m and to put the hub caps back afterwards. NSW guidance says to stop and check the tension after about 200 m, so tighten early and check again. Your car handbook or the chain supplier will say which chains suit your wheel and tyre size.
Where to hire snow chains near Jindabyne
Buy or hire chains before you leave home or on the way up. Cooma, Berridale and Jindabyne all have ski and snowboard shops and service stations that stock them, and the Thredbo BP has some as a backup. NSW guidance says the supplier should show you how to fit them, and to practise before you reach the snow.
Choose chains for your exact tyre size, which is printed on the tyre sidewall. Diesel cars also need alpine diesel from a station near the snowfields.
Which hire car to pick up for the snow?
An AWD hire car saves the legal requirement to carry chains, but the rental agreement's alpine terms still apply to it. A standard 2WD hatch or sedan needs chains on board.
The Perisher and Thredbo guide covers park fees and parking, and the Victorian snow chains guide covers the resorts across the border.
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Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Check the pickup point and what the agreement allows on the roads in this guide before you book.
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Questions people ask
Do AWD cars need snow chains in NSW?
Not by law: only 2WD vehicles must carry chains in Kosciuszko National Park between the June and October long weekends. Carrying them is still recommended.
Do rental cars come with snow chains?
No. Hertz says it does not supply chains and Avis says you are responsible for suitable equipment, so you arrange your own in Cooma, Berridale or Jindabyne.
Can you put snow chains on a rental car?
Usually, but follow the agreement. Under Hertz's terms, not fitting legally required chains correctly is a prohibited use and leaves you liable for damage.
Where can I hire snow chains near Jindabyne?
Ski and snowboard hire shops and service stations in Cooma, Berridale and Jindabyne stock chains. Get them before you reach the mountain.
Do you need chains for Perisher or Thredbo?
A 2WD car must carry them during the June to October long weekend period, and fit them when signs or officers direct on Kosciuszko Road and the Alpine Way.
How fast can you drive with snow chains on?
NSW guidance says cars with radial tyres should not go faster than 40 km/h with chains fitted.