OLD TYRE CONSULTATION LAUNCHED

Concerns have been raised about the safety of older tyres especially when used on heavier vehicles.

Earlier this year we reported that the Department for Transport was planning to consult on legislation to make it illegal for buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles and mini-buses to run with a tyre aged 10 years or over.

This consultation has now been launched. The Government is proposing to amend the Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 to ban the use of tyres 10 years or older on heavy goods vehicles  that fall in category N2 (over 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes) and N3 (over 12 tonnes), heavy trailers, including semi-trailers category O3 (over 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 10 tonnes) and O4 (over 10 tonnes)) and buses, coaches and minibuses categories M2 and M3.

They are also looking for views and opinions on extending the ban to include private hire vehicles and taxis although cars, motor caravans, trailers (3.5 tonnes and under) or caravans (3.5 tonnes and under) are not included in these proposals.

The consultation runs until 1^st September 2019. You can view the proposals and respond to the consultation through the Gov.UK website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/banning-tyres-aged-10-years-and-older