**Sweeping Reforms to Driving Laws and Tyre Regulations Loom for UK Motorists**
Motorists across the United Kingdom may soon face the most significant overhaul of driving laws in recent years, as government departments consider tightening the rules around the sale and regulation of second-hand, or part-worn, tyres. These changes are expected to have a broad impact, with calls for swifter action now landing on the desks of the Transport Secretary and the Business and Trade Secretary.
Campaigns led by motoring associations and consumer groups are urging the government to improve standards among retailers dealing in part-worn tyres. There is a push for an official accreditation scheme for businesses selling such products, in a bid to ensure the safety and reliability of used tyres available to the public. Supporters of the scheme argue it could lead to a modest rise in prices, but say that it would deliver far greater assurance to motorists when it comes to their safety.
The spotlight on the issue has grown brighter as industry watchdogs, including the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), are being asked to collaborate more closely with Trading Standards officers and road safety experts. The concern is that existing rules are insufficient, and that stricter oversight is required to root out dangerous or substandard tyres from the market. At the heart of the drive for reform is a belief that drivers must not be put at risk through the sale of inferior or unsafe automotive products.
Auto Express, a respected motoring magazine, has been vocal in its support for tougher regulation. The publication warns that while customers may see some additional costs, the benefit in terms of improved quality and peace of mind cannot be underestimated. They point to recurring cases where substandard tyres have slipped through current checks and ended up on UK roads, with potentially tragic consequences for drivers and pedestrians alike.
Recent data have underscored the urgency of the issue. According to Ruth Cadbury, who chairs the Transport Select Committee, tyre-related problems have contributed to a growing number of traffic incidents on British roads. Department for Transport statistics indicate that 384 incidents linked to defective tyres were recorded in 2023— the highest total in four years. Saddest of all, 13 people lost their lives in these incidents in the past year alone.
Ms Cadbury has called for immediate action to clamp down on traders who sell unsafe second-hand tyres. She underlined the need for local Trading Standards teams to be better equipped— both in terms of expertise and resources— to enforce rules and protect public safety. Robust intervention, she suggests, could play a pivotal role in bringing down the toll of accidents, injuries, and fatalities we see each year.
Whilst some consumer advocates have noted that complaints about second-hand tyres remain fewer than for some other goods, officials at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) acknowledge that the issue should not be overlooked. They point out that part-worn tyres, if not properly inspected and regulated, pose serious risks, and have called for increased vigilance and improved communication between agencies.
The DVSA has reiterated its commitment to maintaining high standards of road safety. In a recent statement, officials said that they work closely with local Trading Standards to carry out targeted investigations where intelligence suggests breaches of the law. Tyre checks also remain a key component of the MOT test and roadside inspections, emphasising their continued vigilance.
Echoing broader parliamentary concern, Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen and chair of the all-party parliamentary group for transport safety (PACTS), has argued that as long as a market exists for part-worn tyres, measures must be in place to ensure these products meet stringent safety standards. He urged the government to take the issue seriously as it develops its forthcoming Road Safety Strategy, warning that public trust and lives depend on robust protections.
With the prospect of reforms on the horizon, drivers are being encouraged to remain alert to developments and to pay attention to the quality and provenance of replacement tyres. As the debate continues, it is clear that the future shape of driving law in the UK could look markedly different— all in the name of safeguarding the nation’s motorists.