Tyre Safety Rules — Tread, Pressure, and Standards
Tyres must have minimum 1.6 mm tread depth. Bald, cut, or mismatched tyres are illegal.
CMVR Rule 95 requires tyres to be in good condition with adequate tread. The recommended minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm. Retreaded tyres on the front axle of commercial vehicles are prohibited. Mismatched tyre sizes on the same axle are illegal.
Penalty Under Law
₹500–₹1,000 (Sec. 177/190). Accident caused by tyre failure: Sec. 184 + criminal liability.
Legal Source
CMVR Rule 95; MV Act Sec. 190
What the Law Says
CMVR Rule 95: Every motor vehicle must be fitted with pneumatic tyres in good and sound condition. Tyres must not have any cut, bulge, or tear that exposes the cord. The tread pattern must be visible. Retreaded tyres are not permitted on the front steering axle of heavy vehicles. The tyre rating must match the vehicle's gross weight.
💡 Why This Rule Exists
Tyres are the only contact between the vehicle and the road. A tyre with insufficient tread cannot channel water (causing aquaplaning), loses grip on braking, and is at risk of blowout at highway speeds. Tyre blowouts on Indian highways are a leading cause of truck and bus crashes — especially in summer when road temperatures exceed 50°C.
Key Facts
- 1
Minimum tread depth: 1.6 mm (use the ₹1 coin test — if the rim of the coin is visible, the tyre is too worn).
- 2
Check tyre pressure monthly — underinflation is the #1 cause of tyre blowouts.
- 3
No retreaded tyres on front (steering) axle of commercial vehicles.
- 4
Same-axle tyres must be the same size and type.
- 5
Replace tyres older than 5–6 years regardless of tread — rubber degrades.
- 6
Spare tyre must also be in serviceable condition.
⚠️ Common Violations
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Running on completely bald tyres to "save money."
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Mixing radial and bias-ply tyres on the same axle.
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Overloading trucks beyond tyre load rating.
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Ignoring tyre pressure — especially before long highway trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
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