Young drivers are being warned that just two illegal tyres could cost them their driving licence.

The warning comes as TyreSafe’s annual Tyre Safety Month campaign highlights the importance of understanding tyre condition, legal responsibilities and basic safety checks – preparation is key to safety.

The campaign, which officially launches on 1 September, is supported by organisations across the driver-training professions, road safety groups, and the emergency services.

No age of innocence

Tyre Safety Month’s message is for all motorists, but particularly relevant to newly qualified drivers.

Driving on unsafe or illegal tyres can result in three penalty points and a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre.

Two illegal tyres could therefore mean six penalty points, and that’s enough for a new driver to have their licence revoked automatically under the New Drivers Act if the offences occur within the first two years of passing their test.

Unaware irresponsible

TyreSafe research has identified a significant knowledge gap among young motorists, with 52% of UK drivers aged 17–24 unaware that they are legally responsible for the condition of the tyres on any vehicle they drive – even if they do not own it.

That could be particularly significant for young people borrowing a parent’s car or driving a friend’s or employer’s vehicle.

The campaign aims to close that knowledge gap through practical advice built around TyreSafe’s simple ACT message:

A – Air pressure: Check tyres are inflated to the pressures recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Incorrect pressures can affect handling, braking, fuel consumption and tyre wear.

C – Condition: Inspect tyres for cuts, cracks, bulges, embedded objects and other visible damage, including damage to the sidewalls.

T – Tread: Check that tyres have sufficient tread and are not worn below the legal limit.

The checks are simple, but become particularly important as autumn and winter approach.

 

Dare to prepare

Every journey is full of the unexpected; a sudden stop, heavy rain, a driver pulling out without warning, an obstacle in the road.

While we can’t predict every situation we face behind the wheel, the important message is that we can prepare for them; hence this year’s Tyre Safety Month – ‘Act Before You REact’.

Taking just a few minutes to check your tyres before setting off, you can help reduce the risk of tyre-related incidents, improve your vehicle’s performance and keep yourself, your passengers and other road users safe.

New TyreSafe research has revealed a worrying gap between driver confidence and real-world vehicle readiness.

Many road users believe they are prepared for an emergency—but the reality tells a different story.

Our research found:

• 83% believe they are in full control of stopping distance.
• Only 6% correctly identify stopping distance in wet conditions at motorway speeds.
• 94% underestimate stopping distance risk.
• 42% believe they are better than average at handling emergencies.
• 38% experienced a near-miss in the last 12 months.
• Only 11% checked their tyres afterwards.
• 22% admitted they did nothing after a near miss.

Watch the video here.

Seasonal safety

Wet roads, standing water, fallen leaves, mud, frost and ice can all reduce available grip.

Tyres already suffering from excessive wear, damage or incorrect pressures may perform even less effectively when conditions deteriorate.

But this issue is not simply about avoiding a fine.

Tyres are the only part of a vehicle in direct contact with the road, so their condition directly influences steering, braking and stability.

TyreSafe has previously highlighted the scale of tyre-related road safety problems, with defective tyres continuing to feature among the reasons vehicles fail their MOT and contributing to collisions and casualties.

For driving instructors, the campaign also provides an opportunity to reinforce a lesson that can sometimes be overshadowed by the practical skills needed to pass the driving test: learning to drive also means learning to look after the vehicle.

New drivers should understand not only how to identify an illegal or damaged tyre, but also recognise that responsibility remains with them when they get behind the wheel of somebody else’s car.

 

 

Turning knowledge into action

TyreSafe says its campaign is designed to give young drivers practical knowledge they can use, while making clear the legal and safety consequences of getting tyre checks wrong.

That message could be particularly important for young drivers who may have limited experience of checking a car themselves.

With autumn and winter approaching, spending a few minutes checking air pressure, condition and tread could prevent a much bigger problem – whether that is a breakdown, a loss of control or six penalty points that could end a new driver’s licence.

The simple message is ACT now before it’s too late.