What are the truck tyre regulations in the UK?

Regulation permits the fitting of regrooved tyres on all axles of commercial vehicles, including for the transport of persons or hazardous materials, provided certain other criteria are met in relation to the dimension of the tyre and the regrooving pattern and method.

Possible mounting for regrooved truck tyres

For more information, read our article on regrooved tyres.

Uniform fitment on an axle

According to the legislation, the mounting must be uniform on an axle fitted only with retreaded tyres. In addition, the following technical characteristics of the retreaded tyres must be the same: 

• retread brand, 

• tyre size, 

• tyre structure, 

• speed rating and load index,

• tyre use category. 

  
  

It is not recommended to mount retreaded tyres from different retreaders on the same axle, regardless of the casing brand. 

It is PERMITTED to mount retreaded tyres from the same retreader, regardless of the casing brand. 

The difference between the depths of the main grooves on two tyres fitted on the same axle must not exceed 5mm.

For more information, read our article about HGV tyre legal tread depth.

Tyres are made from various types of material and components, the properties of which change over time. This change depends on the storage conditions (temperature, moisture levels, position, etc.) and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, wheel condition, etc.) that tyres are exposed to. 

For safety reasons, UK legislation stipulates that it is not permitted to use tyres which are more than 10 years old for the front axle or axles of goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tonnes, buses and coaches.  
The same applies to retreaded tyres. The date of retreading, rather than the date of first manufacture, is used to determine the age of the tyre. ⁽²⁾

According to UK law, the grooves of the tread pattern must have a depth of at least 1.0 mm throughout a continuous band across at least 3/4 of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference.

In addition:

• the original tread pattern must be visible in the remaining quarter. 

• no fabric must be visible either on the surface or at the bottom of tread patterns, 

• there must be no deep tears on the sidewalls of tyres. 

  
  

If the legal or technical wear limit is reached, the tyre must be removed and replaced. A professional must be consulted in the event of abnormal wear or if there is a difference in wear rates between tyres on the same axle. 

[Link to R4A9 - What can cause uneven truck tyre wear?] 

Note that the tread depth limit varies from country to country in Europe. We discuss this in detail in our article in our article on European legislation.

During its life, a tyre is subjected to a series of stresses and strains and may be damaged in various ways. It is dangerous to ignore tyre damage. By design, Michelin tyres can, in some circumstances, be repaired. 

However, not all kinds of damage can be repaired.

Repairing a tyre is a job for trained and qualified professionals. The tyre repairer always has sole responsibility for the accuracy and quality of the tyre repair. Before being repaired, tyres must always be removed and inspected thoroughly inside and out by the professional. 

Tyres must be repaired in accordance with British Standard 159G.