New collaborative research from The AA and TyreSafe, surveying more than 22,000 UK drivers in May and July 2025, reveals widespread confusion about basic tyre law and infrequent maintenance checks. While most respondents recognise safety risks from worn tyres, many could not identify legal tread depth or penalties, and self-reported checking habits were inconsistent. The findings raise concerns for road safety, enforcement, and the retail and fleet sectors.
The study found 61% of drivers were unaware the maximum fine for an illegal tyre is £2,500 per tyre, and 45% did not know each illegal tyre carries three penalty points, meaning four defective tyres can trigger a driving ban. Official guidance confirms a £2,500 fine and three points per illegal tyre, and sets the legal minimum tread depth at 1.6mm.
Only 65% correctly identified the driver as legally responsible for tyre condition; 34% wrongly chose the car owner. Just 57% knew the UK minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm, with 28% giving incorrect answers and 15% unsure. For context, recent industry analysis has also reported elevated risk from “barely legal” tread depths close to the 1.6mm threshold.
Although 96% said they know how to check tyre pressure, only 30% had done so in the last week. Just 19% reported weekly tread checks, and 15% check less than every six months or never. Those gaps echo themes raised at the recent TyreSafe Briefing 2025 about turning awareness into on-road action.
Across most measures, men reported better knowledge and more frequent checks than women, and older drivers outperformed younger motorists. For example, 71% of men knew the driver is responsible for tyre legality versus 55% of women; only 43% of 18–24s answered correctly compared with 68% of 55–64s. The skew underlines the need for targeted campaigns, aligning with TyreSafe’s broader education work recognised at its 2025 Awards and youth-focused initiatives.
“The findings from our joint research are a stark reminder that while drivers understand the dangers of worn tyres in principle, a significant proportion are completely unaware of the precise legal requirements and the severe financial and licensing consequences they face for non-compliance,” said Greg Carter, AA Technical Specialist. “It’s alarming that so many drivers are risking not just their own safety and that of others, but also potentially crippling fines and driving bans, simply due to a lack of knowledge and inconsistent maintenance.”
Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, added: “Our partnership with The AA on this vital research has unveiled critical knowledge gaps that we, as an industry, must address. Tyres are the only contact points a vehicle has with the road, and their condition directly impacts braking, steering, and overall vehicle control.”
The findings reinforce the case for simple, memorable checks embedded into driver routines and fleet policies. TyreSafe’s recent campaigns provide sector-ready toolkits, from equine mobility to young driver education, while industry events continue to focus on converting awareness into measurable behaviour change. Retailers and fleet providers can signpost legal basics and reinforce monthly pressure and tread checks at point-of-sale and service. See TyreSafe’s latest briefing coverage and award highlights, and our analysis of NTDA’s TyreCheck 2025 for evidence behind “barely legal” risk.
Tagged with: tyre safety, UK tyre law, 1.6mm tread depth, £2,500 fine per tyre, three penalty points, tyre pressure checks, AA research, TyreSafe campaigns, fleet safety, driver education, tyre maintenance, enforcement
Disclaimer: This content may include forward-looking statements. Views expressed are not verified or endorsed by Tyre News Media.
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