HOW DO I KNOW IF MY TYRES ARE LEGAL?

The law

Tyres on cars, light vans (not exceeding gross weight) and light trailers must have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth and in a continuous band around the entire circumference of the tyre.

Tyres must be suitable (ie of the correct specification and size) for the use to which the vehicle is being put and must be inflated to the manufacturers' recommended pressures.

Tyres of different types must not be fitted to opposite wheels of the vehicle (for example, radial-ply tyres must not be fitted to a wheel on the same axle as wheels already fitted with cross-ply tyres and vice versa, and a two-axle vehicle must not have radial ply tyres on the front axle if cross ply tyres are fitted to the rear axle)

No tyre must have a break in its fabric or a cut deep enough to reach the body cords. No cut must be more than 25mm or 10% of the tyre's section width in length, whichever is greater.

There must be no lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial fracture of its structure, neither must any portion of the ply or cord structure be exposed.

Tread Depth

The present British legal limit for car tread depth is 1.6mm, across 75% of the tyre.

The punishment of illegal tyres is very severe, For each illegal tyre you face a fine of up to £2,500 and the chance of three penalty points on your driving license.