Managing your fleet is just as much about vehicle standards as it is about internal day-to-day operations.

As a leading supplier of corporate vehicle hire, we understand how important it is to keep both our fleet customers, and the general public, safe whilst our vehicles are on the road.

When running a fleet you have a duty of care to both your drivers and the wider community, especially when it comes to the upkeep of your vehicles. Poorly maintained tyres can cause a host of problems should their condition deteriorate.

If an accident occurs due to illegal tyre conditions, the company who owns the vehicle can be charged a maximum possible fine of £2,500 per tyre. The best way to avoid this is check the condition of your fleet’s tyres at least once per month.

A recent survey completed by TyreSafe found that over 10 million vehicles in the UK could be driven with tyres in an illegal condition in 2016. How many of those tyres could be in your fleet?

Not only that, they found that more than 27% of tyres are considered to be illegal at the point of their replacement. This highlights just how important it is to keep regular checks on your fleet so you can avoid accidents or fines.

How to check your fleet’s tyre condition:

• The tyre depth should ideally be checked at least once per month. At the same time, it’s advisable to check the pressure of the tyres too.
• The 20p test: Insert the 20p coin into the main tyre grooves around the circumference of the tyre. Do this in several places. If the outer rim of the coin is visible, then your tyres could be illegal, and should be checked by a qualified professional.
• Calibrated Tread Depth Gauge: Place the depth gauge in several places around the circumference of the tyre. If the reading is less than 1.6mm, then your tyres may be illegal and should be checked by a qualified professional.
• Give all tyres a visual inspection throughout the process. Make sure there aren’t any bulges, cuts or embedded objects that could compromise the condition of the tyres.

Ensuring you tyres are in legal condition means that all checks can be logged and shared as part of your fleet maintenance schedule, whilst still being compliant with Health and Safety regulations.

Always remember, the condition of your fleet is your responsibility. Completing regular checks on the state of the tyres is one way to ensure your drivers are safe whilst on the road.

What do you think? Do you regularly check the condition of your fleet tyres, or do you notice tyres on the road that could be classed as illegal. We’d love to hear you thoughts, and you can get in touch by Liking our Facebook page here.

For more information on the corporate vehicle hire service that Fourways Vehicle Solutions provide, then get in touch with one of our dedicated team here.