Simple 20p coin check could stop drivers getting £10k fines

Research conducted by the RAC with charity TyreSafe has found drivers are putting themselves at risk of avoidable road collisions and hefty fines

Drivers are being urged to carry out a simple 20p check on their tyres to avoid hefty fines and putting themselves at risk of road collisions.

Research conducted by the RAC with charity TyreSafe has found drivers are putting themselves at risk of avoidable road collisions and hefty fines by not regularly checking the condition of their tyres and not knowing when a tyre becomes illegal and unsafe.

The RAC says that only 39 percent of drivers know that the minimum tyre tread allowed by law is 1.6mm, meaning a majority 61 percent may be driving on one or more dangerous, illegal tyres which would put them at risk of being given three penalty points and fined £2,500 - per tyre.

Now RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis has encouraged drivers "to start 2025 on the right note" and get into the habit of checking their tyres at least once a month, and recommended a tip using a 20p coin which could let you know whether your tyres are safe or not. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

He said: “Driving on tyres that aren’t sufficiently inflated is incredibly dangerous because tyres are the only connection between a vehicle and the road. The safety risk spikes during the winter when wet and potentially snowy roads mean tyres have to work harder than ever to retain grip.

“The latest official data shows 185 people were killed or seriously injured as a direct result of a vehicle having illegal, defective or underinflated tyres in 2023 – an increase of more than a quarter (26%) on the previous year. Add on those serious collisions where drivers have lost control, or where a slippery road has been a factor, and the number runs into the thousands.

“Checking tyre tread takes just moments yet doing so has the potential to save lives on the roads. 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. Tyre tread depth gauges are cheap and easy to use, but an even lower cost alternative is to take a 20p piece and place it into the main grooves of each tyre in several different places. If the outer band of the coin is visible, then there’s a very good chance the tyres are unsafe, illegal or both, and it’s time to get them checked them out. Having your car serviced by an RAC mobile mechanic would also ensure any tyre issues were picked up.

“Ensuring tyres are inflated to the correct pressures is just as important as checking the tread. Those pumped up too much can cause tread in the centre of tyres to wear down faster, while those underinflated is likely to lead to uneven wear around the edges. Always check the vehicle handbook for the right pressures based on the load being carried in the vehicle.

“It’s worth remembering these are often also printed on a sticker either on the inside of the driver’s door, in the fuel filler cap, or next to an electric vehicle’s charging socket and can vary between front and back, and vary when carrying lighter or heavier loads.”

Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. See our Privacy Notice.