In the UK, driving with bad tyres can lead to significant fines and penalties. The key issues typically involve insufficient tread depth, incorrect tyre pressure, or general tyre condition. Here’s a breakdown:
- Insufficient Tread Depth:
- The legal minimum tread depth for passenger vehicles is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre’s width and around the entire circumference.
- If you are caught driving with tyres below this legal limit, you can face fines of up to £2,500 per tyre. This means that if all your tyres are below the minimum depth, the fines could be substantial.
- Additionally, you could receive three penalty points on your driving licence for each offending tyre.
- Other Tyre Conditions:
- If tyres are damaged, such as having sidewall bulges or visible damage, or if there are issues like incorrect tyre pressure leading to unsafe driving conditions, you may also face fines and penalty points.
- The specific fines can vary, but generally, driving with tyres that are deemed unfit for use due to such conditions can result in fines and points similar to those for tread depth issues.
- General Penalties:
- If a vehicle is deemed unsafe due to tyre conditions, it could be subject to an MOT failure, which could result in a vehicle being prohibited from driving until repairs are made.
It’s crucial to regularly check and maintain your tyres to avoid these fines and ensure safe driving conditions. Regular tyre maintenance and compliance with legal requirements can help prevent these costly penalties and enhance road safety. To ensure your tyres are always optimal, contact us today.
