It could be argued that the lack of physical Police on the roads, plus poor enforcement by the DVSA in roadside checks, is creating an environment where tyres are neglected until MoT time arrives. Here’s the word;
New roadside data collected by TyreSafe and partners at major UK motorway service areas reveals a concerning divide in tyre compliance, with a low adoption rate of proactive technology and significant knowledge gaps among commercial drivers. The findings, released ahead of the Police’s “Commercial Vehicle Operation” (which runs across all Police forces from January 26th – February 8th), highlight the urgent need for systematic fleet management across all HGV operators.
The data was gathered from tyre checks conducted by International Tyres and Trading, with assistance from Truck Tyre Solutions and BTMA members Goodyear, and Michelin, at Exeter and Lymm motorway service areas in October, covering 186 vehicles and trailers and collecting over 1,320 individual tyre readings.
Key Findings Reveal Systemic Failures
The targeted checks exposed a stark contrast between policy-driven national fleets and smaller, owner-operated businesses, confirming that safety risk increases where formal management systems are absent.
The Compliance Gap
- Technology Lag – Only 11% of the 66 drivers surveyed confirmed they use an in-cab TPMS monitoring solution. This high reliance on reactive manual checks (or ineffective visual checks) exposes fleets to unnecessary downtime and safety risks.
- Worrying Method – 21% of drivers admitted to relying solely on visual checks to monitor tyre pressures—a method proven ineffective for identifying critical pressure loss or internal damage.
- Policy Success vs. Technical Risk – The data showed a high level of training among drivers from large fleets, who quoted their TOC-driven (Total Operating Cost) replacement policy rather than the 1mm legal minimum. However, observations of smaller, transient fleets revealed dangerous technical errors, including the fitting of steer tyres on trailers and a reliance on lower-quality casings, compromising the vehicle’s integrity.
Driver Knowledge Check
- While 100% of drivers were aware of their daily legal obligation to check their vehicle, the survey highlighted knowledge deficiencies that contribute to non-compliance;
- 38% of drivers were unaware of their fleet’s formal tyre fitment policy.
- 38% of drivers did not know the legal minimum tread depth for an HGV tyre in the UK (1mm)—a crucial compliance benchmark.
Industry Leaders Call for Action
Industry partners emphasised that the findings underline the necessity of moving beyond basic compliance to adopting a Total Operating Cost (TOC) approach that prioritises casing integrity and safety systems.
Rich Allen, Commercial Director, International Tyres and Trading
“What we saw on the ground at Lymm provided immediate, visible proof of the risk disparity. Where we saw policy in action, we saw quality fitment and trained drivers. But among the smaller fleets and owner-operators, we found a high degree of technical complacency—mixed brands, cheaper rubber, and errors like using steer tyres on trailers. For these operators, their lack of policy is likely to lead to mismatching of tread depths or load ratings and an overall reduction in handling capability. It is likely that tyres are being purchased directly on price for immediate savings, however there is a growing correlation between that trend and an increase in Total Cost of Ownership with higher rolling resistance (increased fuel consumption) during a reduced lifespan (lower mileage capability).”
Lisa Scott, Regional Road Safety Programme Manager (North West) at National Highways
“Safety is our top priority. While it’s encouraging to see high average tread depths on vehicles on our roads, the knowledge gaps and the low adoption of in-cab monitoring are concerning. A vehicle that is prohibited at the roadside due to a defective tyre is not only a danger but is causing avoidable disruption to the network.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and we fully support TyreSafe’s call for all operators to treat tyre maintenance as a critical, non-negotiable part of their operational safety culture.”
Recommendations for All Operators
TyreSafe and its partners urge all operators—particularly owner-drivers and smaller regional fleets—to move beyond a “pass or fail” mind-set. To improve safety and reduce operating costs, we recommend the following focus areas:
- Move Beyond the “Quick Look” – A simple walk-around is the legal baseline, but it often misses critical internal damage. Drivers should be trained to specifically look for cuts to cords and sidewall bulges—defects that lead to catastrophic blowouts regardless of how much tread is left.
- Ensuring Fitness for Purpose – Compliance isn’t just about tread depth; it’s about fitness for purpose. Operators must ensure tyres are correctly matched for the vehicle’s specific load requirements and operating speeds to prevent premature fatigue and heat-related failure. Drivers must be aware that tyres marked ‘FRT’ are designed specifically for trailer or non-steering axles. Fitting an FRT tyre to a front steering or drive axle is a serious safety risk and a common cause of roadside prohibitions. Always match the tyre to the axle as intended by the manufacturer.
- Prioritise Damage Prevention over Replacement – Smaller fleets can significantly reduce costs by identifying minor injuries early. Understanding the difference between a minor repairable puncture and a major internal failure prevents the “false economy” of running a damaged tyre until it fails.
- Bridge the Knowledge Gap – Every driver should understand that the 1mm legal limit is a “minimum,” not a “safety target.” We encourage operators to adopt a “safety margin” (replacing at a higher threshold than the legal minimum) to maintain handling and braking performance, particularly in wet or urban conditions. Crucially, removing a tyre before it reaches the legal limit preserves the integrity of the casing. A healthy casing can be regrooved or retreaded (remanufactured), allowing the operator to get a “second or third life” out of the same tyre. This “multi-life” approach is the most effective way to lower the total cost of ownership without sacrificing safety.
- Evaluate Monitoring Solutions – While manual pressure gauges are a vital first step, we encourage operators to explore how monitoring technology (like TPMS) can provide a “safety net” against slow punctures and overheating—issues that are impossible to detect through visual inspection alone.
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