Drivers can avoid fines of up to £2,500 and the risk of losing their licence by using the edge of a 20p coin to check their tyre tread depth, a simple trick that many motorists remain unaware of.
Tyres below the legal limit of 1.6mm can lead to a fine of up to £2,500 and up to 12 penalty points, which is enough to have a licence taken away. For new drivers, the penalty can be even more severe, as two worn tyres equate to six points, enough to lose a brand-new driving licence.
How the 20p coin trick works
The border of a 20p coin is slightly larger than the legal tread limit, making it an ideal tool for checking tyre depth at home. Comedian Judi Love has partnered with Halfords for Tyre Safety Month and released an informative video showing drivers how to check their tread using the coin.
Love said: "It's a simple check that takes seconds but could save you a pretty penny. Just by carrying a 20p coin in the car and checking it every now and again, or before long drives, you can help make sure your car tyres are not only legal but also safe."
She added: "I am not someone you'd call car-savvy, but even I can do that. Or I'll get my daughter to do it for me. It takes less than 30 seconds to check all four tyres and is definitely worthwhile when you consider the safety implications, let alone the cost of the fine or even losing your license."
Widespread lack of awareness
A poll of 2,000 motorists released during Tyre Safety Month found that nearly four in 10 (38%) did not know about this trick, rising to 59% among younger drivers, who run the greatest risk of losing their licence. Almost a third (30%) are unaware of the large fine they could face if caught driving with illegal tyres.
However, nearly half of Brits (48%) said they don't carry coins, so aren't able to do the check. The study also found that 60% check their tyres only every few months or less, while 23% don't check them at all because they assume they'll be fine.
More than a quarter (27%) admitted they aren't confident they could tell if their tyres were no longer road legal, and 64% didn't know about the 1.6mm legal tread limit.
Winter readiness and breakdowns
The OnePoll.com study found that six in 10 get their car winter-ready simply by putting de-icer or an ice scraper in the vehicle. Exactly half (50%) check their tyre pressure and 39% check their tyre's tread depth. Just 21% book their car into a garage for a check-up.
More than half (55%) have broken down at least once, with the average motorist left stranded for 76 minutes.
Halfords has worked with Love to urge Brits to keep a 20p coin in their car as a safety measure and released a limited number of 20p key chains for those who don't have a coin in their car.
Karen Bellairs, chief customer officer at Halfords, said: "Getting winter-ready is about more than putting an ice scraper in the car. When roads are wet or icy, the condition of your tyres matters to the safety of every journey.
"You don't have to be a car expert to check them. A 20p piece can help you spot when your tyre tread may be too low, giving you a chance to act before your next journey. And if you're unsure what you're looking for, our experts are here to help."
