The law in Great Britain is very specific when it comes to
tyres. It's such an important part of car maintenance to ensure
that all tyres are in good condition that to drive with defective
tyres carries a high penalty; currently a fine of £2,500 and a 3
penalty point endorsement per defective tyre (that's £5,000 and 6
points for 2 defective tyres, and so on).
Many people are caught out every year for simply not knowing
that they are breaking the law in relation to the condition of
their tyres - but ignorance is not an excuse. It won't stop you
from being involved in an accident and it won't stop you from
ending up with a hefty fine and penalty points on your licence. As
set out in the Road Traffic Act 1988, as the driver of a vehicle it
is your responsibility to make sure that it is roadworthy and you
are liable to face legal action if you do not do so.
Worn or ‘bald’ tyres are so called because the tyre tread –
which helps you to stop quickly in an emergency – has been worn
down to an unacceptable level. Sometimes you can tell by looking,
that a vehicle has ‘bald’ tyres, but on the other hand, it can be
really hard to tell just by sight alone – especially if it’s a
close call. However, if you are stopped by a police officer and
your tyre tread is found to be below the legal limit, which for
cars in the UK is 1.6mm, then you will face punishment as laid out
in the first paragraph of this article. So it’s really
worth your while to bring your vehicle in for a free check by our
tyre specialist and make sure that they are road-worthy and
safe.
For a free no-obligation tyre quote, let us check your tyres free
of charge. If they are satisfactory, we will check and adjust the
pressures for you. To have your tyres checked, visit one of our
branches, or fill in our enquiry form for a tyre check
request.