The legal minimum tyre tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Driving on tyres below this limit can result in a £2,500 fine and three penalty points — per tyre. That is potentially a £10,000 fine and 12 points if all four tyres are worn.
The easiest way to check tread depth at home is the 20p coin test. Insert a 20 pence coin into the main tread grooves of your tyre. If the outer band of the coin is hidden when inserted, your tread is above the legal limit. If you can see the outer band, your tyre is likely worn below 1.6mm and should be replaced immediately.
Most new tyres come with tread wear indicators — small raised bars moulded into the tread grooves at 1.6mm depth. When the tyre surface is level with these bars, the tyre has reached its minimum legal depth.
However, safety experts — including Michelin and Continental — recommend replacing tyres at 3mm, not 1.6mm. Tests show that at 3mm, wet braking distances are significantly shorter than at 1.6mm. In West Yorkshire, where rainfall is frequent, this advice is especially relevant for Huddersfield drivers.
Check all four tyres monthly, and always check before long journeys. Also look for uneven wear patterns: wear on one edge suggests incorrect wheel alignment, while wear in the centre suggests chronic overinflation.
If you find any tyre at or near the legal limit, call Huddersfield Mobile Tyres. We can come to your home or office and replace the worn tyres quickly and affordably, with no need to visit a garage.