25 February 20254 min readBristol, UK
You don't need specialist tools to check your tyre tread depth. A 20p coin is all it takes — and it could be the difference between safety and a £2,500 fine.
The tread on your tyres is what channels water away from the contact patch, maintaining grip in wet conditions. As tread wears down, stopping distances increase dramatically. The famous 20p test is endorsed by tyre safety organisations across the UK: insert a 20p coin into the main tread groove — if you can see the outer band of the coin, your tread is below 3mm and likely close to the legal limit of 1.6mm.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Insert a 20p into the tread groove to check depth
- Check multiple grooves across the tyre width
- Carry out checks monthly and before long journeys
- Check all four tyres, not just the front ones
- Uneven tread depth across the tyre width suggests misalignment
#Tread Depth#DIY Tyre Check#Safety