From 1 February, 2021, Construction and Use Regulations in the UK will not allow tyres over 10 years old to be used on the front steered axles of HGVs, buses, coaches or on other single wheels fitted to a minibus.

It will also be a requirement for the manufacturer’s date code to be legible on all tyres fitted to HGVs, trailers over 3.5 tonnes, buses, coaches and minibuses. In the case of retreads, the date of manufacturer will be deemed to be the date the retread was carried out.

Vehicles found to be in contravention of the new rules, when inspected during a DVSA enforcement check, will be considered dangerous and attract an ‘S’ marked immediate prohibition notice.

The DVSA has updated its Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness to include the change in the Construction and Use Regulations for rules relating to tyres and manufacturers’ date codes.

Where tyres more than 10 years old are legally used in other wheel positions, their age should be recorded and a specific risk assessment completed, that considers the distance, speed and loading conditions that the vehicle will operate under.