Six in 10 British drivers are unaware of the legal minimum tyre tread depth, putting themselves at risk of dangerous accidents and substantial fines, new research has found.
Only 39 per cent of motorists correctly identified the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, according to data from the RAC and TyreSafe.
Those caught driving with illegal tyres face penalties of up to £2,500 per tyre and three penalty points on their licence, potentially leading to them being slapped with a £10,000 fine.
Despite 70 per cent of drivers claiming to know the penalties for illegal tyres, just 16 per cent correctly identified the maximum fine of £2,500 per tyre.
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Drivers could face enormous fines if they do not take care of their vehicle tyres
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The findings highlight a concerning knowledge gap that could prove costly – both financially and in terms of road safety.
The frequency of tyre checks among UK drivers presents an alarming picture, with a quarter only checking their tread when they remember or before an MOT.
Even more concerning, five per cent of drivers never check their tyres at all, waiting for an MOT failure before taking action. Just one-third of motorists conduct monthly tyre checks, as recommended by safety experts.
A further 17 per cent check every other month, while 15 per cent only inspect their tyres approximately twice a year.
These findings come as the RAC reported around 340,000 tyre-related breakdowns in 2024, highlighting the scale of the problem on British roads.
Recent data shows cost of living pressures may be worsening the situation, with a fifth of drivers delaying necessary repairs to save money. Half of drivers who don’t check their tyres regularly say it simply doesn’t cross their mind to do so.
Four in 10 rely on garages or mechanics for tyre checks, a practice the RAC warns could be risky given infrequent servicing intervals.
A quarter of motorists acknowledge the importance but admit they don’t get around to it, while 15 per cent continue driving because they haven’t yet experienced tyre problems.
Almost half of drivers say they would check more frequently if prompted by regular in-car display reminders. However, a third of motorists claim nothing would change their behaviour, suggesting some drivers believe their tyres will never become unsafe or illegal.
RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis warns that driving on poorly inflated tyres is “incredibly dangerous” as tyres are the sole connection between vehicle and road.
Official data reveals 185 people were killed or seriously injured due to illegal, defective or underinflated tyres in 2023. This represents a concerning 26 per cent increase from the previous year.
Dennis added: “Checking tyre tread takes just moments yet doing so has the potential to save lives on the roads.
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“We’re encouraging every driver to start 2025 on the right note and get into the habit of doing so as often as possible, and at least once a month.”
He recommends using a 20p piece to check tread depth by inserting it into the main grooves – if the outer band is visible, the tyres may be unsafe or illegal.
TyreSafe Chair Stuart Lovatt added: “It’s concerning to see some drivers don’t consider the importance of regular tyre checks.
“Despite the high number of tyre-related breakdowns and the very real risk of incidents, some motorists leave it to their MOT to take action or don’t check at all.”
