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[Sign Up To Support](https://www.tyresafe.org/about-tyresafe/tyresafe-supporters/support-tyresafe/) - [Get involved](https://www.tyresafe.org/get-involved-with-tyre-safety/) - [Search](https://www.tyresafe.org/the-checks/tread-depth/20p-test/) [Open mobile menuClose mobile menu](https://www.tyresafe.org/the-checks/tread-depth/20p-test/) # How to check your tyre tread depth with a 20p coin [Home](https://www.tyresafe.org/) \&raquo [Simple Tyre Checks](https://www.tyresafe.org/the-checks/) \&raquo [Checking Tyre Tread Depth](https://www.tyresafe.org/the-checks/tread-depth/) \&raquo How to check your tyre tread depth with a 20p coin **Last updated:** December 11, 2025 Your tyres are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road, so ensuring that you check your tread depth regularly is vital for both driver safety and performance. Current UK law states that tyre tread on cars must be at a minimum of 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tread, around its entire circumference.  ## How much tread does a new tyre have? New car tyres generally start with a tread depth between **7-9mm**, but this can vary depending on the brand, model and whether the tyre was designed for summer, [winter](https://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-advice/tyre-types/winter-tyre-safety/) or all-seaon use. As your tyres start to [wear](https://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-testing/tread-wear/), this depth gradually reduces which affects braking distances, fuel efficiency and grip on the road, especially in wet conditions. ## The 20p test: how to measure with a coin A quick and easy way to see if your tyre tread exceeds the minimum legal tread depth is to take the 20p test. Here is a step by step guide: 1. Clean any stones or debris away from the tread 2. Insert a 20p coin into the main tread grooves – (These are the deepest and most continuous grooves in the tyre) 3. Check whether the outer band of the coin is visible 4. Repeat across several points on each tyre If the outer band of the 20p coin is obscured when it is inserted, then your tread is above the legal limit. If the outer band of the coin is visible, then your tyres may be illegal and unsafe and should be checked immediately by a qualified tyre professional. **Top tip:** When carrying out the test, remember to check at least three locations around each tyre. As the test is so quick and easy, stay safe by [checking your tyres](https://www.tyresafe.org/the-checks/) at least once a month or before any long journey. ## How to check tyres for MOT Along with checking your [vehicle tyre pressure](https://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-advice/pressure/), checking your tyre tread and doing the 20p coin test ahead of your next MOT is also a great way to help ensure your vehicle will pass first time and avoid a fail. If you can see the outer rim of the 20p coin when performing the test, you should replace your tyres before your MOT to stay safe and compliant. Regular tyre tread checks can not only help ensure you pass your MOT first time, but also help keep your overall car maintenance costs down by allowing you to choose a garage when you need to replace your tyres that falls within your price bracket.  [Checking Tyre Tread Depth In this guide we’ll show you how to check tyre tread and explain why it’s important, keeping you safe and legal on the road. ](https://www.tyresafe.org/the-checks/tread-depth/) [Tread Wear There are well over 25 different variables that can affect tread life: the tread compound, the alignment of the tyre, the road texture, the tread pattern, idiosyncrasies in an individual’s driving style, and more. ](https://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-testing/tread-wear/) [Checking the Condition of your Tyres Your tyres are in constant contact with the road and as such they suffer a lot of wear and tear, even if you drive carefully. This is why it's vital that you keep an eye on the condition of your tyres to help extend tyre life and improve handling in all weather conditions. ](https://www.tyresafe.org/the-checks/condition/) [Keeping the Correct Tyre Pressure To stay safe on the road your car needs to have the correct tyre pressure and should be checked regularly. If your tyres are under or over inflated then handling and grip will worsen, potentially causing irregular or unpredictable vehicle behaviour. ](https://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-advice/pressure/) TyreSafe. 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**Last updated:** December 11, 2025 Your tyres are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road, so ensuring that you check your tread depth regularly is vital for both driver safety and performance. Current UK law states that tyre tread on cars must be at a minimum of 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tread, around its entire circumference. ## How much tread does a new tyre have? New car tyres generally start with a tread depth between **7-9mm**, but this can vary depending on the brand, model and whether the tyre was designed for summer, [winter](https://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-advice/tyre-types/winter-tyre-safety/) or all-seaon use. As your tyres start to [wear](https://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-testing/tread-wear/), this depth gradually reduces which affects braking distances, fuel efficiency and grip on the road, especially in wet conditions. ## The 20p test: how to measure with a coin A quick and easy way to see if your tyre tread exceeds the minimum legal tread depth is to take the 20p test. Here is a step by step guide: 1. Clean any stones or debris away from the tread 2. Insert a 20p coin into the main tread grooves – (These are the deepest and most continuous grooves in the tyre) 3. Check whether the outer band of the coin is visible 4. Repeat across several points on each tyre If the outer band of the 20p coin is obscured when it is inserted, then your tread is above the legal limit. If the outer band of the coin is visible, then your tyres may be illegal and unsafe and should be checked immediately by a qualified tyre professional. **Top tip:** When carrying out the test, remember to check at least three locations around each tyre. As the test is so quick and easy, stay safe by [checking your tyres](https://www.tyresafe.org/the-checks/) at least once a month or before any long journey. ## How to check tyres for MOT Along with checking your [vehicle tyre pressure](https://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-advice/pressure/), checking your tyre tread and doing the 20p coin test ahead of your next MOT is also a great way to help ensure your vehicle will pass first time and avoid a fail. If you can see the outer rim of the 20p coin when performing the test, you should replace your tyres before your MOT to stay safe and compliant. Regular tyre tread checks can not only help ensure you pass your MOT first time, but also help keep your overall car maintenance costs down by allowing you to choose a garage when you need to replace your tyres that falls within your price bracket.