TAXI TYRE SAFETY: Essential tips from The Taxi Centre to help cabbies avoid penalties and ensure safety

Maintaining your taxi is essential for the safety of both you and your passengers. A critical aspect of this upkeep is tyre maintenance, particularly given that tyre-related issues account for over a quarter of crashes involving vehicle defects.

The Taxi Centre has highlighted a significant rise in searches on how to replace tyres, with a 221% surge in the past month. Here’s what taxi drivers need to know to keep their tyres in top condition and avoid hefty fines.

1. Inspect the Tyre's Condition

Start with a thorough inspection of your tyres for any visible damage such as cuts or bulges. Turn your steering wheel to full lock on each side to get a clear view of the tread on your front tyres. This process can be more efficient with someone assisting you by turning the wheel while you inspect.

Running your hand along the tread can help you detect any foreign objects or punctures. Identifying damage early can save you from potential fines and the need for new tyres.

2. Check Your Inflation and Pressure

Regularly check that your tyres are inflated to the recommended pressure as specified in your vehicle's manual. Most modern cars come equipped with a tyre inflation kit and pressure gauge, eliminating the need to visit a garage.

Don’t forget to check your spare tyre's pressure as well. However, be aware that many electric vehicles lack a spare tyre due to battery space constraints and instead carry a puncture repair and inflation kit. Ensure you have a fresh sealant or spares if you've used the repair kit previously.

Incorrect tyre pressure can negatively impact handling, control, and fuel consumption, leading to unnecessary expenses.

3. Assess the Tread Depth

Ensure your tyres meet the legal requirement of at least 1.6mm tread depth across the breadth. A simple way to check this is using a 20p coin: insert it into the tyre grooves. If the coin’s outer band is obscured, your tyres are legal; if visible, consider replacing them.

Substandard tyres affect your vehicle’s traction and control and can result in a £2,500 fine per tyre and three penalty points on your licence if they don’t meet legal standards.

Stephen Porter, Branch Manager at The Taxi Centre, shared what you should be looking out for when it comes to your wheels: “By not ignoring your tyre pressure warning light or spending just a few minutes checking your tyres could be the difference between saving a tyre, and keeping you on the road to complete your shift.

“A puncture late at night could see a driver stuck waiting for their car to be recovered and even keep them off the road the following day.”