MOTORISTS are being urged to check their tyres with a simple test ahead of winter.
The 20p trick is simple, effective – and could save you a £10,000 fine and your licence.
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Tyres are some of the most important components on a car.
Keeping them in good condition is an essential part of maintaining the safety of a vehicle – and at no point in the year is this more important than winter.
Marc Porcar, the chief executive of QR Code Generator, is warning British drivers they could face a £2,500 fine and up to three penalty points if their tyres are worn below the legal limit.
As the fine and points are for each tyre, any driver flouting the law could be forced to pay out £10,000 – and face immediate disqualification.
Legal limit
“The legal tread depth limit for car tyres in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its entire circumference,” said Marc.
“This applies to cars, vans, and light trailers.”
There is a very good reason for the law.
Tyres with low tread depth are less effective at gripping the road, especially in wet conditions and the tyre’s ability to channel water away is compromised, increasing the risk of losing control.
Worn tyres also increase braking distances, increasing the risk of accidents.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that if you are involved in an accident and your tyres are found to be under the legal requirement, your insurance claim may be denied.
This could leave you liable for damages, added Marc.
Simple trick
Yet many motorists don’t know about a simple trick that can help you keep yourself and your family safe in the colder months, by making sure your tyres are still legal.
You can use a simple 20p coin to check that your car’s tyres aren’t too worn.
That’s because the outer band of the 20p – where the words “twenty pence” are written – is almost TWICE the width of 1.6mm.
The 20p test works by placing the coin in a groove of your tyre and if the outer band is obscured your tyres are safe.
The general belief has been that if the band is visible, you need to get your tyres changed.
The outer band actually measures 2.7mm, well above the 1.6mm legal requirement and with almost a quarter of a tyre’s life left.
The minimum legal tyre tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and it must meet this requirement around its complete circumference.
Instead of using the 20p test, drivers could also use a tyre depth gauge which can cost as little as £2.50.
When should I change my tyres?
Tim Shallcross, head of technical policy and Advice at IAM Roadsmart, said: “These days most tyres have wear bars, although it’s not a legal requirement.
“They do make it a very easy check where they’re fitted: if the tyre’s worn down to the bars, change it.
“What price a life – changing your tyres early based on the 20p coin test will keep you safer by allowing you to stop quicker in the wet.”
An AA spokesman added: “The 20p tip is intended as an indicator of when the tyre will soon need changing.
“The argument is that tyres often wear unevenly, particularly if the tracking is out. It’s generally understood 3mm is the point when drivers need to start planning their next tyre change, especially in the winter.
“At £80 to £100-plus for many tyres, that 2.7mm to 1.6mm gives the owner time to figure out how they are going to pay for them in the near future and not be caught out.”
