UK Tyre Laws
The rules for tread depth, pressure and tyre condition, and the fines.
What an illegal tyre can cost
An illegal tyre on your vehicle can bring a fine of up to £2,500 and 3 penalty points for each tyre. With four illegal tyres you can lose your licence. The driver is responsible for the tyres, also when the vehicle belongs to another person.
The rules are in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986:
- Regulation 24: the types of vehicle covered, and temporary use spares
- Regulation 25: tyre loads and speed ratings
- Regulation 26: the mixing of tyre types
- Regulation 27: the condition and maintenance of tyres
What the regulations say
Tyre tread depth
The tread of a car or van tyre must be at least 1.6mm deep across the central three quarters of the tread, around the complete circumference of the tyre.
Tyre pressure
Each tyre must be inflated to a pressure that makes it fit for the use of the vehicle.
Tyre mixing
A vehicle must not have radial tyres on the front wheels and cross ply tyres on the rear wheels. It is also illegal to have a cross ply tyre on one side of an axle and a radial tyre on the other.
Cuts, lumps and bulges
A tyre is illegal if it has a cut that is longer than 25mm or 10% of the width of the tyre, whichever is greater, and deep enough to reach the ply or cord. A lump or a bulge caused by a failure of the structure, and any damage that exposes the ply or cord, also makes a tyre illegal.
Load and speed
A vehicle must be used within the load index and the speed rating of its tyres.
Temporary tyres
A tyre that is marked for temporary use is restricted to 50mph.
Are your tyres legal?
Call in and ask for a free tyre safety check.