Car Maintenance Checks for New Drivers: Tyres, Oil, Lights (GB)

Photo: Sebastian Schuster / Unsplash. Illustrative photograph.

The basic car maintenance checks every new driver in Great Britain should do are tyres, fluids, lights and warning lights. Highway Code Annex 6 sets the legal tyre tread minimum for cars at 1.6 mm, and illegal tyres can cost a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre. This checklist shows what to check, how often, and what the law requires.

Key facts

• Tyre tread: at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, all the way round.
• Tyre pressures: check weekly, when tyres are cold.
• Fluid levels: check at least weekly.
• Illegal tyres: £2,500 fine and 3 points per tyre if stopped by police (THINK!).
• Warning lights: should go out once the engine starts, apart from the handbrake light.

Weekly checklist

Many of these are also show me, tell me questions on the driving test.

Tyres: the law in Great Britain

• Cars, light vans and light trailers need at least 1.6 mm tread across the central three-quarters of the tread width and around the whole circumference.
• Tyres must be inflated to the manufacturer’s figure for the load. Under- or over-inflated tyres affect braking, steering, fuel use and tyre life.
• Check pressures when tyres are cold. Warm tyres give a misleading reading.
• If the car pulls to one side when braking, have it checked by a garage straight away.
• Tyres must also be free of certain cuts and other defects. Look for cuts, bulges, objects stuck in the tread and uneven wear, and measure the tread in several places with a gauge; one good reading does not prove the whole tyre is legal.
• Use the pressure figure in the handbook or on the car’s label, not the maximum printed on the tyre wall. If you are carrying passengers and luggage, use the loaded figure.
• A tyre that keeps losing pressure needs a garage to find the cause. Topping it up or resetting the pressure warning light does not fix it.

Flat tyre or tyre burst

• Burst while driving: grip the steering wheel firmly, try to keep control and let the car roll to a stop at the side of the road. Avoid sudden braking or steering.
• Flat tyre: stop as soon as it is safe. Only change the wheel if you can do it without putting yourself or anyone else at risk; otherwise call a breakdown service. Having a jack and a spare does not make a roadside next to fast traffic a safe place to work.
• On a motorway: never change a wheel yourself. Follow the motorway steps in what to do if your car breaks down.
• Spare wheels and repair kits: space-saver spares and sealant kits come with speed and distance limits set by the maker. Find out which your car has, and read its limits in the handbook, while you are parked at home.
• Afterwards: have the tyre and wheel checked so the cause is found, rather than just putting air back in.

Penalty: if police stop you with illegal tyres, you could get a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre. Two bad tyres could mean 6 points, which is enough for a new driver to lose their licence under the New Drivers Act.

Warning lights on the dashboard

• When you start the engine, the warning lights should go out, except the handbrake light. If one stays on, or comes on while driving, stop safely and find out why.
• A battery (charge) warning light while driving may mean the battery is not charging. Get it checked as soon as possible.
• Learn what your car’s low fluid warning lights mean. The handbook shows every symbol.

Before winter

• Have the battery checked.
• Add anti-freeze to the radiator and the windscreen washer bottle.
• Check demisters, wipers and lights. Clear all windows before driving: see driving in bad weather.

If the engine overheats or catches fire

• Overheating: let the engine cool naturally before you take off the coolant filler cap and add water or coolant.
• Fire: get everyone out to a safe place and call the fire brigade. Do not try to tackle a fire in the engine compartment: opening the bonnet can make it flare up.

Fuel and security

• Do not overfill the tank. Check the cap is secure and its seal is not damaged.
• Do not smoke or use a mobile phone on a petrol station forecourt.
• When you leave the car: take the key, engage the steering lock, lock it even for a short time and close the windows fully.
• Never leave children or pets in an unventilated car.
• Do not leave the car’s documents inside it.

What else the law expects

Brakes, steering, exhaust, seat belts, demisters, wipers, washers and horn must all work, and exhaust emissions must stay within legal levels. Some vehicle defects can bring penalty points. Over-dark tints on the windscreen and front side windows are not allowed: see modifying your first car. Your car will also need an MOT, tax and insurance: see car documents explained.

Common questions

What is the minimum legal tyre tread in the UK?

1.6 mm for cars, across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the whole tyre.

How often should I check tyre pressures?

The Highway Code says weekly, before a journey, with the tyres cold.

Can I get points for bald tyres?

Yes. Police can issue a £2,500 fine and 3 points for each illegal tyre.

A warning light came on while I was driving. What should I do?

Stop when it is safe and check the handbook. Annex 6 says if a warning light comes on while driving, stop and investigate.

Can I be fined for running out of fuel?

THINK! says a fixed penalty can be issued in some places for a breakdown you could have foreseen, such as running out of fuel.

Related: before you drive: vehicle checks, if your car breaks down and safety and your vehicle (theory test). Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Annex 6. Vehicle maintenance, safety and security” (gov.uk)
• THINK!, “Vehicle safety checks” (think.gov.uk)