What Are The Legal Requirements For Tyres In The UK?

The legal requirements for tyres in the UK don’t just focus on the tread on your tyres. It is a legal requirement that your vehicle is fitted with the right tyre type and size for the use of the vehicle.

Tyre Pressure

Tyre pressure is also covered by the law. Inflating your tyres to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure isn’t just a sensible thing to do before you go on a long journey; it’s a legal safety requirement. Having your tyres inflated to the correct pressure will also extend the life of your tyres by ensuring that the tyre tread wears evenly.

Tyre Tread

The legal minimum depth for your tread on the tyre is 1.6 millimetres across the central ¾ of the tread around the whole tyre. Lots of tyres come with indicators on tyres to help you see how close they are to the legal limit, but you can also easily measure your tyre depth with a small ruler. Taking your vehicle for tyre checks is advisable if you don’t feel confident in checking yourself.

Penalties and Fines

For having worn tyres below the legal limit on your vehicle, you can receive three penalty points and a fine of £2,500.