Motoring experts have said drivers may need to do it every 2 weeks
Drivers across the UK could be handed a shocking £10,000 fine and slapped with 12 penalty points on their licence. That’s according to motoring experts at RAC Drive.
The experts reveal that we need to meet certain criteria over a car’s tread depth. And they say that if all four tyres fail the test, it puts drivers at risk of a fine of up to £2,500 and three points on their licence per wheel.
They stress: “That is per tyre, so four illegal tyres could mean a fine of £10,000 and 12 penalty points.”
The Highway Code states: “Cars, light vans and light trailers MUST have a tread depth of at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference.”
20p test
With this in mind, RAC Drive urge motorists to try a 20p test to see if you could be breaking these rules. The group explains: “Tyre tread depth of your car must to be above 1.6mm to be safe and legal. The 1.6 minimum tyre tread depth must be the case for the middle three-quarters of the tyre.”
If you don’t know whether the tyres on your car meet the legal minimum standard, try the 20p method. RAC Drive say: “The 20p test is a simple, quick and easy way of checking the tyre tread of your car’s wheels.
“Just take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread grooves on the tyre. If you can’t see the outer band on the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit.
“However, if you can see the band and that section of the coin is still visible, your tyres could be unsafe and require professional inspection by a mechanic. We suggest drivers conduct the 20p test around every two weeks and before long journeys.”
Fine and points
Drivers could face serious consequences if they are not careful. RAC add: “Driving with tyres that have a tread below the legal limit – or even worse, are bald – is dangerous.
“It can put you and other motorists at risk. If you are involved in an accident and the car you are driving has illegal or bald tyres, you should be aware of the consequences.
“Any insurance claim as a result of an accident could be invalidated, so potentially your insurer won’t pay out any money any repairs needed to your vehicle.”
Touching on the hefty fine and penalty points, they also urge drivers to buy a tyre tread gauge to help people assess the tread depth of their tyre.
It further notes: “You can also get more basic colour-coded tools that let you know if a tyre is legal or not at a glance.”
