Tyres

Tyre Tread Depth — Legal Limits and Safety Checks

The legal minimum tread depth for vans is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Lower tread increases stopping distances and risk of aquaplaning.

Tread depth directly affects grip, braking, and handling — especially in wet conditions. The legal minimum for cars and vans is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. At 3 mm of tread, stopping distances increase noticeably in the wet. At 1.6 mm, a van travelling at 50 mph in the wet needs significantly more distance to stop compared to one with 3 mm of tread. Checking tread depth with a simple gauge or the 20p coin test (the outer band of the coin should be visible at the legal limit) should be part of every driver's weekly routine.