Just two out of five drivers know legal minimum tyre tread

Most drivers do not know if their tyres are illegal, according to new research conducted by the RAC and the charity TyreSafe. 

Only 39% of drivers knew that the minimum tyre tread allowed by law is 1.6mm, leaving the majority (61%) potentially driving on one or more illegal tyres, which would put them at risk of being given three penalty points and fined £2,500 per tyre. 

Just a third (33%) said they check tyre tread at least every month, with 17% saying they do so every other month and a similar proportion – 15% – only checking them about every six months.

Of those who don’t check their tyres regularly, half (50%) say it is because doing so simply ‘doesn’t cross their mind’, while four-in-10 (40%) say they rely on a garage or mechanic to do it for them. 

A quarter (25%) of this group say they know checking their tyres is important but ‘just don’t get round to doing it very often’, while 15% run the gauntlet because they have not (yet) experienced a tyre-related problem while driving.

When asked what would encourage them to check their tyres more often, almost half (48%) of these drivers said a regular reminder on the in-car display would nudge them into action.

In 2024, the RAC logged in the region of 340,000 tyre-related breakdowns.

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “The latest official data shows 185 people were killed or seriously injured as a direct result of a vehicle having illegal, defective or underinflated tyres in 2023 – an increase of more than a quarter (26%) on the previous year.

“Add on those serious collisions where drivers have lost control, or where a slippery road has been a factor, and the number runs into the thousands.

“Checking tyre tread takes just moments yet doing so has the potential to save lives on the roads.” 

He added: “Ensuring tyres are inflated to the correct pressures is just as important as checking the tread. Those pumped up too much can cause tread in the centre of tyres to wear down faster, while those underinflated is likely to lead to uneven wear around the edges. 

“Always check the vehicle handbook for the right pressures based on the load being carried in the vehicle.

“It’s worth remembering these are often also printed on a sticker either on the inside of the driver’s door, in the fuel filler cap, or next to an electric vehicle’s charging socket and can vary between front and back, and vary when carrying lighter or heavier loads.”

Chair of TyreSafe Stuart Lovatt said: “We urge all drivers to make tyre safety a habit by remembering our simple acronym ‘ACT’. 

“By checking your tyres’ Air pressure, Condition, and Tread at least once a month – and before any long journey – you can significantly improve your safety on the road and avoid costly incidents.” 

For more on tyres, read ‘Cost, technology and management: a look at the evolving tyre landscape’ from Fleet News.