Don’t loose your licence over tyres
TyreSafe warns young drivers: two illegal tyres could cost you your licence
TyreSafe is relaunching its Young Driver Campaign this September, highlighting an important message for new motorists: just two illegal tyres could be enough to cost you your driving licence.
The campaign aims to improve young drivers’ understanding of their legal responsibility for tyre safety and provide straightforward advice to help them stay safe, avoid penalties and keep their vehicles roadworthy.
Remember ACT: Air pressure, Condition and Tread
At the centre of the campaign is TyreSafe’s ACT message, encouraging young drivers to make regular tyre checks part of their driving routine:
- Air pressure – check your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure.
- Condition – look for cuts, cracks, bulges or other visible damage.
- Tread – make sure your tyres have sufficient tread and meet legal requirements.
Taking a few minutes to check your tyres can help identify problems before they become a serious safety issue.
Two illegal tyres could mean six penalty points
Driving with unsafe or illegal tyres can have serious consequences. Drivers can receive a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.
For new drivers, the consequences can be even more severe.
Under the rules for drivers in their first two years on the road, reaching six penalty points results in automatic licence revocation. This means that having just two illegal tyres could potentially result in a new driver losing their licence.
Many young drivers don’t know they’re responsible
TyreSafe research has highlighted a significant gap in young drivers’ understanding of tyre safety.
More than half (52%) of UK drivers aged 17–24 are unaware that they are legally responsible for the condition of the tyres on any vehicle they drive — even if they do not own the vehicle.
The campaign is therefore designed to make one thing clear: if you’re driving the vehicle, tyre safety is your responsibility, regardless of who owns it.
