Legal Tread Requirement Uk

Our qualified technicians will perform a complete inspection of your tires to check the overall condition of the tires and ensure that tread depths meet minimum legal requirements. They also check if tire pressure is maintained – as recommended by your manufacturer. The results of your tire inspection will be detailed in a written report for your convenience. The legal limit for tread depth is 1.6mm, so if your tread depth is lower, your car will not pass its technical inspection. You can get a recommendation at your roadworthiness test if your tires have a tread depth of less than 3mm, as they will need to be replaced shortly before they lose grip. If you are not sure if the depth of your tread is at a safe level, you can use a handy tread depth indicator. These devices give you an accurate measurement for added peace of mind. While UK Tyre Law states that a wheel must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, most automotive experts would recommend replacing a tyre once the tread reaches 2-3mm. This is confirmed by the RoSPA study, which showed that the braking distance on smooth concrete increases by 44.6% to the legal minimum tread depth. The right tread depth not only prevents aquaplaning, but also helps reduce braking distance on dry and wet roads. This is an important safety feature because the shorter your braking distance, the less likely you are to be affected by an incident on the road. That`s per tyre, so four illegal tyres could mean a £10,000 fine and 12 penalty points.

Tires with shallow tread depths also lose air pressure faster and are therefore even more dangerous on the road. Even if you make it a point to regularly check and adjust your tire pressure if you have a shallow tread depth, you may find that they drain faster than you can keep up. With this in mind, it`s important to make sure your tread depth meets regulatory requirements. Here`s everything you need to know about checking your tread depth. The tread shall meet this minimum requirement over its entire circumference. If you are involved in an accident and the car you are driving has illegal or bald tires, you need to be aware of the consequences. You can also use a 20p tread depth test to determine the tread of the tire. Place a 20p piece in one of your tire`s grooves. If the outer strip of the 20p is visible, your tire may be below the legal limit. If you can`t see the outer strip of the 20p, the depth of your tread is within the legal limit. You need to make sure you check each tire. Although 1.6 mm is required by law, most manufacturers recommend that tires be changed as soon as the tread remains at 3 mm.

Everything else affects the performance of the tire, especially in adverse weather conditions. An independent study conducted by MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association) found that it can take up to 10 car lengths for a car to stop on a highway in wet weather when a tire has reached its legal limit. The tread depth must be greater than 1.6 mm to be legal. This must be the case for three-quarters of the middle of the tyre. A deep tread also quickly diverts water from the rubber so that contact with the road is not lost. This makes tire tread depth essential when roads become wet and dangerous, as hydroplaning is prevented. If you cannot see the outer strip on the part, your tires will be above the legal limit. A tire tread check begins with a thorough visual inspection. Start by turning the steering wheel to see the entire surface of the tread. They look for signs of irregular wear that could affect one area of the tread more than another.

If the tires wear evenly, you need to determine if you have enough tread on your tire. Book a free tire check A quick visual check of your tread depth can be done by simply looking at the wear indicators you find in the grooves of the tread pattern. However, a more accurate and reliable way is to use a depth gauge. It is small enough to fit in the glove compartment and gives an accurate measurement of the tread depth of your tires. Use a profile depth gauge – a tool that gives you a quick and easy-to-read measurement. For safety reasons, it is recommended to replace the tires of your car before the legal limit is reached. Many car manufacturers recommend replacement at 3 millimeters, since the braking distance increases significantly below this depth. At 1.6 millimeters in wet weather, it takes two extra car lengths (8 meters) to stop at 50 miles per hour, compared to a tread of 3 millimeters. Remember: – Check the tread depth of all four tires – Check the interior, center and exterior tires. The condition of your tires should be checked regularly.

They should be inspected visually for signs of damage such as cuts, fractures and abrasions. If treads have been penetrated by an object, they can often be repaired safely and inexpensively. When checking tires, look for stones or other objects stuck in the treads and check for damage. One aspect of tire safety that is often overlooked but crucial is tread depth. At least, the minimum tread depth prescribed by law is important to ensure good grip on the road, especially in wet conditions. As a result, drivers with illegal tread depth could experience longer braking distances, poor handling and risk of aquaplaning, as well as reduced fuel efficiency. There are many reasons why tires can wear out quickly, but simple changes in the way you drive can change that. Tires often wear out quickly due to poor maintenance. For example, too many or too many tires can cause the tire to wear faster because the weight is not evenly distributed. Misalignment or balancing of the wheels can also lead to bald spots in the profile. Even rapid braking or acceleration can lead to uneven tire wear.

While a new car tire starts its life with a tread of about 8 mm, the minimum permissible tread depth is 1.6 mm. However, most automotive organizations recommend changing your tires before the tread reaches this level. One of the main purposes of the tire tread is to prevent aquaplaning or aquaplaning. Water on the road surface can reduce tire grip, but with the right tread depth, water won`t act as a barrier between your tire and the road. Instead, it escapes through the grooves of the tire. Just take a 20p piece and stick it into the grooves of the tire`s tread. Tire treads are designed to provide good grip on wet roads, but wet grip usually decreases as tread depth approaches the legal minimum. Motorists should take this into account and reduce speed when driving in the wet. For the same reason, motorists may consider replacing tires before the tread depth reaches the legal minimum. There are a number of risks associated with tread being close to or below the legal limit, and all of them mean you`re exposing yourself to risks on the road. Some of the most important are: The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm. This means that a tread depth must measure at least 1.6 mm at 3 points in the middle of the tire and also around the circumference.

If the tyres do not meet this legal requirement, you can be fined £2,500 and 3 points on your driving licence per illegal tyre. An independent study by the Motoring Industry Research Association (MIRA) showed that tyres with 3mm tread have on average 25% better performance than those with 1.6mm – which equates to an additional 8m braking distance in wet conditions! You can buy tread gauges to help you assess the depth of the tire`s tread, and you can also get basic color-coded tools that let you know at a glance whether a tire is legal or not. A regular check of your car`s tyres can help you avoid 3 penalty points and £2,500 in fines if the tyres are worn beyond your vehicle`s legal minimum limit.