Car ownership, no matter where you are in the world, comes with its own unique set of challenges, although unsafe and illegal tyres can often catch you completely off-guard.
Excessive wear on the tread of your tyre, damage, or incorrect pressure, can all lead to some serious road safety risks. This is why it is really important for UK drivers to always be aware of proper tyre maintenance and get their cars checked regularly for any telltale signs of illegal and potentially unsafe tyres.
How to tell if my tyre is ‘illegal’?
Well, let’s start with what a ‘legal’ or roadworthy tyre in the UK actually is:
- Tyre tread depth – The minimal legal tyre tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the full circumference. Even though some experts say to replace tyres as they approach the legal limit, we say you get them changed at 3mm for optimal safety.
- Tyre condition – Your tyre must always be free of cuts, bulges, or any form of damage which might compromise the structural integrity and, thus, make them unsafe.
- Tyre approval – Your tyre also needs to be of the right type, along with the correct speed and load ratings, as per your vehicle’s manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Run-flat tyres – Some cars are equipped with run-flat tyres, so these must be functioning correctly and in good condition.
- Mixing different tyres – It is strongly recommended not to mix different tyre types on the same car; e.g. cross-ply and radial tyres across the vehicle or on the same axle, until and unless the manufacturer specifically recommends it.
- TPMS – Some vehicles are equipped with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System; if yours is too, then you must ensure that it is in 100% working order.
- Winter tyres – Winter tyres are not legally required in the UK in order to drive in the winter seasons but if you want to use them, they need to meet specific standards, including the ‘snowflake’ symbol or “M+S” on the tyre sidewall which stands for mud and snow.
These requirements may change from time to time, so it’s a good idea to check with the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) to get the latest information on legal tyre requirements.
Are there tyre laws in the UK and any penalty for non-compliance?
Yes, there are.
UK laws require you to fit the correct tyre type and size on your car and according to the purpose it is being used for.
So, this means fitting only the right tyres as recommended by the manufacturer and setting the tyre pressure according to the same.
We already mentioned the minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the middle ¾ of the entire circumference of your tyre although we’d, again, recommend replacing them at 3mm.
If your tyres do not meet the road legal and safety requirements, you could get up to three penalty points along with a fine of £2,500, and that’s per tyre! So, ensure that your tyres are not worn below the legal minimum limit for your specific vehicle.
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How to ensure your tyre is safe at all times
Here are a few checks you can run to ensure that your tyres are always safe and legal to use on the road:
Inspecting the Tread
As discussed above, replace your tyre if it reaches around 3mm; don’t wait for the 1.6mm tread depth as that is the minimum limit.
You can do a simple test to determine this: insert a 20p coin into the tread. If the coin’s outer band is not visible, that means you’re all set and there’s no need to replace the tyre. It’s a good idea to test this on each one of your tyres at least once a month.
Setting the right pressure and checking pressure valves
Your car’s owner’s manual will have the correct tyre pressure according to weather conditions. Although you can get this information online too, including this online source.
It’s very important to have the right pressure in your tyres as this will mean optimal handling and prolong the tyres’ life as well.
If you notice more tyre wear in the middle, then that’s a sign that they are overinflated. If the outer edges are more worn out than the middle, then they are under-inflated.
It’s always a good idea to check your tyre pressure when the car hasn’t been running as that’s when the tyres are cold. Running tyres reach a specific temperature and expand naturally to do so when setting your tyre pressure, always account for the increase in pressure.
In addition, you can adjust the tyre pressure according to the overall weight of the vehicle. If it’s just you and another passenger or two, then the normal manufacturer’s recommendation would do fine. If you’re travelling with the entire brigade of family members or have a lot of luggage and equipment, then you can increase pressure on all four tyres by a few psi.
Finally, you should inspect the tyre pressure valves to make sure they are not leaking. You could squeeze some water mixed in detergent from a foam – if you see bubbles forming around the tyre pressure valve, then those need to be replaced.
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What other tyre checks can I do to ensure road safety and legality?
Apart from the minimum tread depth requirement, you should also inspect your tyre to ensure it has no defects.
For example, tyres with bumps, lumps, and bulges indicate structural damage so they are not safe for driving. Additionally, a cut or tear that is larger than 25mm or 10% of your tyre’s width can also indicate that it is not fit for purpose, so that makes it illegal. The same rule applies if any part of your tyre’s ply/cord is exposed.
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