TyreSafe has announced a formal collaboration with the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA), bringing together the UK’s tyre safety charity and the trade body representing more than 300 companies and 2,000 retail sites. The partnership aims to align campaigns, research and resources to improve tyre care, influence driver behaviour and support higher standards across the retail and aftercare network.
The agreement unites TyreSafe’s public-facing education with the NTDA’s nationwide distributor and retailer reach. TyreSafe Chair Stuart Lovatt said the move “unites every part of the tyre supply chain behind one clear message – safe tyres save lives,” adding that a consistent message will strengthen outcomes at the roadside and in workshops.
NTDA’s TyreCheck 2025 study of more than 58,000 vehicles points to a sharp rise in tyres that are legal yet dangerously worn at 1.6–2.0mm tread. The association says delayed replacement has pushed many tyres into “barely legal” territory, reinforcing TyreSafe’s call for renewed consumer education on roadworthiness.
Both organisations will coordinate joint campaigns, share research and co-develop training and customer-facing materials for retailers, fitters and technicians. NTDA CEO Ian Andrew said the collaboration “ensures that retailers, fitters and technicians play a central role in improving driver understanding and road safety outcomes,” describing it as a platform for cultural as well as practical change across the trade.
For workshops, the partnership promises clearer guidance to support conversations with motorists about tread depth, pressure and condition. For fleets, it aligns safety messaging with procurement expectations and audit needs. The initiative also builds on recent TyreSafe activities that broaden public engagement, including its stakeholder briefing and targeted awareness work.
The UK legal minimum tread depth for cars, light vans and light trailers is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the full circumference. Official guidance also notes fines and penalty points for illegal tyres, a key reference point for consumer-facing advice produced under the new partnership.
The collaboration lands as NTDA activity (from industry awards to member engagement) keeps standards and professionalism in the spotlight.
Tagged with: TyreSafe, NTDA, tyre safety, tread depth 1.6mm, tyre retail, driver behaviour, workshop standards, UK road safety, fleet compliance, tyre checks
Disclaimer: This content may include forward-looking statements. Views expressed are not verified or endorsed by Tyre News Media.
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