At Dorking Service Centre we carry a comprehensive stock of tyres ready to fit to customers vehicles but we can also supply and fit specific makes and sizes of tyre as per your request or to meet the requirements set out by your vehicles manufacturer.
What is legal?
*Please note that this information is provided in good faith and as such this information should not be solely relied upon for assessing the condition of your tyres. We recommend that you visit DSC with your vehicle so that a professional opinion may be provided.
It is illegal to have a tyre on the road if the grooves of the tread pattern of every tyre fitted to the wheel of the vehicle do not have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising the central three quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre. (Breadth of tread means the width of that part of the tyre which is in contact with the road surface under normal conditions).
This applies to tyres on cars, light vans (not exceeding 3,500kg gross weight) and light trailers.
t is also illegal to have a tyre on the road if the tyre:
Is not suitable for the chosen use of the vehicle or trailer
The tyre is not suitable relative to the other types of tyre fitted
Is not properly inflated
Has a cut or break in the rubber in excess of 25mm or 10% of the section width in length which exposes the casing cords
Has a lump or bulge caused by separation or partial failure of it's structure
It is illegal to drive if:
Tyres of a different structure. (i.e diagonal (cross)ply, radial or belted radius) are fitted on the same axle
Radial tyres are fitted on the front axle with diagonal(cross) ply tyres on the rear axle
A temporary spare is being used outside it's stated limitation
Failure to comply with the above:
Could lead to prosecution, a heavy fine and a driving licence penalty
Will lead to failure in a legal inspection
Undermines the safety of all road use
Legal requirements - care and condition
It is a legal requirement to keep tyres in good condition.
The following regulations apply:
All tyres must be suitable (i.e.the correct type and size) to the vehicle
All tyres must be inflated to the vehicle or tyre manufacturers' recommended pressures
Radial-ply tyres must not be fitted to a wheel on the same axle as wheels already fitted with cross-ply tyres and vice versa
A two-axle vehicle with single rear wheels must not have radial ply tyres on the front axle if cross ply tyres are fitted to the rear axle
No tyre must have a break in its fabric or a cut deep enough to reach the body cords. No cut must be more than 25mm or 10% of the tyre's section width in length, (whichever is the greater)
There must be no lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial fracture of a tyre's structure
No portion of the ply or cord structure should be exposed
Run flat and temporary use spare tyres
Regulations permit the legal use of "run flat" tyres and what are described as temporary use spares (provided they are identified as such) in a partially inflated or flat condition.
The following conditions apply:
The vehicle speed must not exceed 50mph
The temporary use spare tyre or the wheel to which it is fitted must be a different colour to the other wheels on the vehicle
A label must be attached giving clear instructions about the precautions to be observed when it is being used
If you do not comply with the above, the legal provision that allows their use ceases to apply.
