Illegal tyres could cost new drivers their licence, TyreSafe warns

TyreSafe is urging young drivers to take tyre safety seriously as it reissues its flagship Young Driver Campaign, and the message is stark. Just two illegal tyres are enough to trigger automatic licence revocation for anyone in their first two years on the road. With the Government’s new Road Safety Strategy placing a sharper focus on reducing killed and seriously injured (KSI) casualties among young people, the road safety charity says tyre condition is one of the simplest and most overlooked ways to prevent avoidable collisions.

The TyreSafe campaign lands alongside the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Operation Spotlight, a nationwide enforcement push targeting young drivers between 22 September and 5 October.

TyreSafe says the timing is deliberate. Unsafe tyres remain a persistent issue, and many new drivers don’t realise how quickly points can stack up. Each illegal tyre carries three penalty points and a fine of up to £2,500, meaning two defective tyres equal six points, enough to immediately lose a licence under new-driver rules. It has also produced an information hub for young drivers.

Worryingly, TyreSafe’s research also shows that 52% of drivers aged 17–24 don’t know they’re legally responsible for the tyres on any vehicle they drive, even if it’s borrowed or shared. That knowledge gap is a major concern, especially as young drivers remain disproportionately represented in serious collision statistics. TyreSafe’s ACT message — Air pressure, Condition, Tread — is designed to give new drivers a simple, memorable way to check tyres regularly and stay compliant.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, says the consequences of ignoring tyre condition can be severe: “Young and new drivers remain one of the highest-risk groups on UK roads, not only due to inexperience, but also because of the tighter restrictions placed on their licence. Tyres are one of the most critical safety factors on any vehicle, and the repercussions of driving on unsafe tyres can be extremely punitive when it comes to penalty points, financial penalties and operating costs.”

With enforcement increasing and national road-safety efforts intensifying, TyreSafe’s message is clear: a few minutes spent checking tyres could prevent fines, points or something far worse. For new drivers, it’s one of the simplest ways to stay safe, legal and on the road.

And although the campaign focuses on new drivers, the same rules obviously apply to everyone.

Illegal tyres carry the same fines, and the same penalty points no matter how long you’ve held a licence. More experienced drivers may not face automatic revocation at six points, but the consequences are still serious in the form of higher insurance costs, potential court action, and a much greater risk of being involved in a collision.

“For young drivers, leasing a new car is one way to ensure they are driving a car that features all the latest safety equipment,” adds Rob Marshall, Operations Director at Gateway2Lease. “But checking tyre condition is something we should all do on a regular basis.”

TyreSafe’s message is clear: tyre checks aren’t just for new drivers but a basic safety habit every driver should build into their routine.