‘Easiest’ 20p drive method to avoid £2,500 fine this October

Motorists can dodge a £2,500 fine this October by taking advantage of a simple 20p trick anyone can do on their driveway or outside their home. Vehicles have a minimum tyre tread depth of 1.6mm, meaning tyres cannot be any lower than this on UK roads. Judging tread depth can be difficult, with ordinary road users unlikely to know exactly when their tyre is on its last legs. Motorists could use a dedicated tyre tread gauge for an accurate reading, but most homeowners are likely to have one to hand.

However, diving into your wallet or purse is all you really need, with experts suggesting that a 20p coin was more than enough for a quick check. Speaking exclusively to the Express, James Harding, tyre expert at BlackCircles, said: “Checking tyre tread regularly is one of the simplest things drivers can do to protect their safety on the road.

“Tread depth has a direct impact on how effectively a tyre can grip the road and how quickly a vehicle can stop, particularly in wet conditions. As tyres wear down, their ability to disperse water reduces, increasing braking distances and the risk of aquaplaning.

“One of the easiest ways to check tread at home is with a 20p coin. Insert the coin into the main tread grooves at several points around each tyre. If the outer band of the coin is hidden, the tread is above the legal minimum at that point.

“If the outer band is visible, the tyre may be at or below the legal limit and should be checked more accurately.” Driving around with a bald tyre under the legal 1.6mm limit is risky due to the extent of the hefty fines.

Road users could be slapped with a £2,500 bill for every individual tyre below the legal limit, meaning four tyres under would leave motorists facing a £10,000 penalty. There are also fears that drivers may not even be aware of the rules.

Blackcircles 2026 Tyre Knowledge Report found that around three-quarters of road users described themselves as somewhat or very confident in their tyre knowledge. However, when asked, only 49% correctly identified 1.6mm as the legal minimum tread depth. Almost a third of drivers polled (32%) incorrectly thought the minimum depth was 2.5mm, while 19% said they didn’t know.