French tyre laws

[MrKipling43]

I'm off to France at the end of the Summer. Hurrah.

We've driving. Double hurrah.

My tyres are going to be legal when I leave, but they are certainly in to the twilight of their lives. In a way I'd prefer to change them before I go, but also I'd rather finish the current tyres off with that trip then fit new ones.

They might be borderline by the time I get back to Calais though.

Does anyone know how strict les porcs français are with tread depths?

Ta.

[cuprabob]

To be perfectly honest i would change them before you go. Do you really want to do a trip like that with marginally legal tyres?

[Robb F]

Surely you would be more concerned about the fact you have almost no tread left on the tyres than the fact you may get caught by the police for having very little tread on your tyres?

[MrKipling43]

Sorry, should have been clearer. When I say marginal, I mean marginal as in close to the wear-markers rather than close to being dangerous. But yeah, probably might be wiser to change them.

[Robb F]

MrKipling43 said:

Sorry, should have been clearer. When I say marginal, I mean marginal as in close to the wear-markers rather than close to being dangerous. But yeah, probably might be wiser to change them.

Ah ok. Personally I would change them and be done with it. One less thing to worry about on your holiday and full confidence to give it some stick if you find a nice road along your way

[Roo]

Having just got back I would say change them before you go as well.

Some of their roads are a bit shocking at the moment. Just had to get my tracking and balancing done.

[MrKipling43]

Hmmm. Good shouts all round chaps. Looks like a big pre-holiday bill. Not so hurrah.

As for finding a decent road, highly likely. But four-up in a stacked diesel Vulva Estate does not good hoonage make.

[Lotus Notes]

I had a quick look, the main points:

The law is a minimum of 1.6 mm depth measured on one single point of the entire width of the tyre.

Also - Maximum of 5 mm depth measured difference between two tyres on one axle.

[MrKipling43]

Thanks for that.