Drivers told to carry out 20p tyre test before travelling

Drivers are being urged to check their tyres before travelling to avoid facing fines up to £10,000 and points on their licence.

The motoring experts at LeaseLoco.com are encouraging motorists to check their tyres using the 20p coin trick to ensure they are driving safely and legally.

Tyre tread depth is essential for ensuring stability and grip on the roads and is particularly important when it comes to braking. Tyres with a low tread depth run the risk of increasing stopping distance and causing accidents.

The tread depth of a tyre should be a minimum of 1.6 mm, this requirement applies to the central three-quarters of the tyre’s width and must be consistent around the entire circumference of the tyre.

It is illegal to drive with the incorrect tyre tread depth under The Road Traffic Act and drivers caught with illegal tyres could face a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre. 

Motorists with four tyres below the recommended tread depth could face fines up to £10,000 and 12 points on their licence. 

To avoid this, the experts advise taking a 20p coin to see if their tyres meet the legal requirement.

Simply place a 20p coin in the groove of the tyre; if you can’t see the outer ring of the coin, it means the tyres meet the 1.6 mm requirement.

If you can see the outer ring, then the tyres will need replacing before making any journeys.

John Wilmot, CEO of car leasing comparison site LeaseLoco.com said: “Tyre tread depth is important because it is what helps your tyres grip to the road properly and provides stability. If it is low, it can increase stopping distance which can ultimately lead to road accidents.

“A quick and easy way to check your tyres is by using the 20p hack. Simply place a 20p coin into the grooves of the tyre, if the outer ring on the coin disappears then your tyres meet the requirement of being 1.6mm.

“However, if you can see the ring, you’ll need to get these replaced before hitting the road.”

John continues: “Driving with tyres that do not meet the 1.6mm requirement is actually illegal. You’ll face a fine of £2,500 per tyre and 3 points on your licence.

“To avoid this and ensure you’ll have a safe journey, carry out the 20p hack on all four of your tyres as soon as you can.”