Five million drivers at risk of £10,000 fine this October

More than five million road users are under threat of being slapped with a £10,000 fine for breaking a simple rule this October. According to new research from Confused.com, one in 8 UK drivers admit to never checking their tyre tread, despite the major safety risks.

Even 11% of UK drivers admit to knowingly getting behind the wheel of vehicles with bald or dangerously worn tyres. The survey found that just 7% check them ahead of their MOT test in a desperate bid to pass the annual exam. DfT data shows that there are 42,629,310 full licence holders in the UK, meaning 5,115,517 Brits could be at risk.

Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com car insurance stressed that individuals can be issued fines of up to £2,500 per tyre for breaking the rules.

He said: “Checking your tyres should be something you do regularly, especially if you spend a lot of time on the road. Having a tyre tread below the legal limit of 1.6mm can lead to fines of up to £10,000.

“Failure to maintain safe tyres can be incredibly dangerous for both yourself and other road users. A low tyre tread can increase the risk of skidding, especially in slippery conditions, and increase your stopping distance, putting you more at risk of an accident.”

The study found that only 1 in 5 (22%) of UK drivers are likely to check their tyres at all over the winter. Meanwhile, just 14% said they checked their tyres during rain or poor weather conditions, which could be an issue heading into the Autumn.

The research was carried out by One Poll on behalf of Confused.com with 2,000 UK drivers surveyed between 27 May and 2 June 2025.

Specialists stressed that low tyre tread can have an impact on the amount of grip road users enjoy on the road, with individuals at risk of losing control of their vehicle.

Rhydian added: “It’s common for people to check their tyres during the winter or when it’s raining, because it can be harder to drive with low tread during these conditions.

“If you’re unsure of how best to check your tyre tread, the 20p tyre trick is quick and easy. Simply place the coin in the main grooves of your tyre. If you can’t see the coin’s outer rim, then you’re above the legal limit. If you can - it’s likely your tread is too low.”