Drivers are just realising the simple check they can do to avoid a £10,000 fine & 12 points – and it only takes seconds
DRIVERS are only just realising the simple check they can do to avoid a £10,000 fine and 12 points on their licence.
The simple hack takes just seconds to do and could even save you from breaking the law.
According to the Road Traffic Act, it is illegal for drivers to have the incorrect tyre tread depth.
It must be at least 1.6 mm around the central three-quarters of the tyre breadth and the entire outer circumference, the law states.
The tread depth acts as the grooves of the tyre, ensuring that your car is able to grip to the road properly at all times, and is essential for the safety of you and other road users.
Experts have now revealed a simple hack that you can use to check the tread of your tyres.
In what is one of the oldest tricks in the book, placing a 20p coin between the grooves of the tyre could help you avoid landing yourself in unwanted trouble.
That’s because the piece of loose change is perfect for measuring the correct legal limit of at least 1.6mm.
If you can’t see the engraved words “twenty pence”, your tyre tread depth is at the required level.
But if you can still read the writing on the coin, you need to take action immediately.
Your tyres are likely to have insufficient and illegal tread depth, so it’s best to take your vehicle to a garage as soon as possible.
It should be remembered, though, that this is a rough guide to the minimum standard, not a recommended level.
If caught driving with illegal tyres, however, then you could be at risk of receiving a fine of £2,500.
To make matters worse, three penalty points are given for every tyre that’s not up to scratch
If all four tyres are defective, you could potentially face a fine of £10,000 and 12 penalty points.
With summer just around the corner, many people will be gearing up for long road trips and days out across the next few months, so it’s more important than ever to carry out the correct checks.
Motor expert Tim Alcock, from LeaseCar.uk, has even encouraged motorists to check the tread depth of their spare tyres.
“The 20p check takes a minute to carry out, but could quickly save you from being slapped with hefty fines and penalty points,” he said.
“You should also remember to check the spare tyre as well in case these ever need to be used as they’re not checked as part of a standard MOT.”
Alcock also added that having the correct tread depth allows your car to travel smoothly and safely, the Mirror report.
“Without the correct tread depth your vehicle is more likely to start aquaplaning as it cannot grip to the road properly,” the expert continued.
“Having the correct tread depth also means the tyre can travel smoothly and safely on the road surface, and that the drive is stable.
“This extortionate fine is life-changing for many people, so it’s always important to check all tyres regularly to make sure you aren’t driving illegally without knowing.”
Another easy tyre trick could even save you £10 a month on fuel and help avoid a £10,000 fine.
An expert has urged drivers to change their tyres for the summer season, with many not even considering to check that their car is fitted with the correct tyres for the time of year.
Almost a fifth of motorists have driven with potentially unsafe tyres after ignoring MOT advisories, according to research.
A poll of 2,000 drivers found 27 per cent of those who’ve have failed to act on such warnings following the mandatory safety check have waited ‘months’ to replace them.