Checking That Your Vehicle Is Safe To Drive
Friday, 27. March 2020
The following information is guidance provided by the Government. During the MOT 6 month exemption period you must ensure that the vehicle is still roadworthy and safe to drive.
You’re responsible for making sure your vehicle is always safe to drive (‘roadworthy’). It can be unsafe even if you have a current MOT certificate.
You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
Checks you should carry out
Every time you drive you should check:
- the windscreen, windows and mirrors are clean
- all lights work
- the brakes work
Your vehicle’s handbook will tell you how often to check the:
- engine oil
- water level in the radiator or expansion tank
- brake fluid level
- battery
- windscreen and rear window washer bottles – top up with windscreen washer fluid if necessary
- tyres – they must have the correct tread depth and be free of cuts and defects
The handbook will also tell you when your vehicle needs to be serviced.
Tyre tread
Tread must be a certain depth depending on the type of vehicle:
- cars, light vans and light trailers – 1.6 millimetres (mm)
- motorcycles, large vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles – 1mm
Mopeds only need to have visible tread.
There must be tread across the middle three-quarters and around the entire tyre.
By Graham Hill – reprinted from Government website
