What Are The Laws On Tyres Poking Outside The Arch?

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

does anybody know the rules on how much tyre can be poking outside the arch on a road legal car?

 

is there a particular section of the law that covers it?

 

and also if there is some tyre poking out, are there regulations on what material should be covering it? E.g: metal, fibreglass?

 

bit of a strange question but help would be appreciated

[niagra 3]

I think, that no tread should be visible from outside the arch, when looking from above.

 

I stand to be corrected, however.

[S@m 156]

According to a couple of MOT testers i know there is no legislation regarding this, in the MOT test at least. Seems to be one of those urban myths because i was convinced it wasn't allowed - also i've seen a few veedubs with ridculously wide wheels go through the MOT, and the testers aren't the sort of guys to risk their licences. Maybe its covered on the SVA test or somesuch, either way thats what (i think) i know.

 

Sam

[pugdamo 111 2 Cars]

Police definatly dont allow it because a friend of mine had a landrover defender and he got 3 points for his tyres sticking out slightly past the arches. Also im an mot tester and im 90% sure i have seen it on the mot computer just cant remember if it was a fail or advisory,i will look tomorrow if i remember and let you know

[welshpug 1,657]

they are part of the constrction and use regs, vosa are very hot on it on hgvs, no part of the wheel can protrude past a vertical line.

 

if its a 205 id be concerned about the arch cutting into the tyre if they stick out that far, 205 width tyres popped the trims off on a friends 205 on standard wheels+wishbones

[S@m 156]

Police definatly dont allow it because a friend of mine had a landrover defender and he got 3 points for his tyres sticking out slightly past the arches. Also im an mot tester and im 90% sure i have seen it on the mot computer just cant remember if it was a fail or advisory,i will look tomorrow if i remember and let you know

 

Would be nice if you could find it just so i can do the "I told you so..." to the testers in work after they corrected me saying it wasn't allowed...i did have a look in the testers manual and couldnt find it though. Did they do your friends Defender under "Construction and Use" regs, because the police will try anything under that, i had to defend myself in court once for having a non standard exhaust because the copper had misinterpreted the regs. He was none to happy when i got away scot free...so don't believe what the police tell you without checking.

 

Sam

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

thanks for the help so far, some confirmation would be great, the car in question is a 205 but i'm likely to be fitting some arches, but (because i've always gotta do things the hard way) there will be a degree of trial fitting, removal, adjusting, refiting, etc. etc all will be revealed at some point!

[kyepan 291]

Where in the regs should I be looking as I can't find it

[MiniGibbo 142]

I thought rule of thumb as not tread showing from above..?

 

My cars regularly pass with negative camber..

[BlueBolt 156]

Again it's only what I've been told, do cant point in the direction of regs, but I always thought it was a case of no tread being on show, so as not to flick up any debris from the roads??

[Ryan 99]

It's nothing to do with the MOT. Just because the car passes an MOT doesn't mean it's legal. There are plenty of things that would pass an MOT but still fall foul of other rules - e.g. a loose battery.

 

Construction and Use Regs (1986):

 

"63. ...heavy motor cars, motor cars and motor cycles, not being agricultural motor vehicles or pedestrian-controlled vehicles shall be equipped with wings or other similar fittings to catch, so far as practicable, mud or water thrown up by the rotation of its wheels or tracks unless adequate protection is afforded by the body of the vehicle."

 

There is legal guidance (which I can't find right now) saying that this is to be interpreted as meaning the tread of the tyre must be covered from above.

[kyepan 291]

Construction and Use Regs (1986):

 

"63. ...heavy motor cars, motor cars and motor cycles, not being agricultural motor vehicles or pedestrian-controlled vehicles shall be equipped with wings or other similar fittings to catch, so far as practicable, mud or water thrown up by the rotation of its wheels or tracks unless adequate protection is afforded by the body of the vehicle."

 

Ah yes i did read that, if you can find the legal guidance that would also be interesting to look at.

 

Thanks!

[allye 530 3 Cars]

The S2 rallye wheels poke out of base model arches slightly, but it really is only slightly. I've only been stopped once by the po po and they didn't mention it. It doesnt really worry me!

[S@m 156]

Whilst that is correct, it is also overruled by EU community Directive 78/549/EEC, which is similar but A LOT more specific - basically its a construction and use minefield that is all open to various interpretation - also there is a clear loophole if you are on your way to a garage! Either way, better off not doing it imho.

[pugdamo 111 2 Cars]

Had a look today its only an advisory,but as already said,just because its an MOT pass doesnt mean the police wont try and stitch you up.

Im not sure on the exact law my mate got done on,all i know is the policeman had an attitude problem and was looking around the car for ages untill he found something to do him on.

 

 

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

Random one. How much protrusion are you talking?

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

Random one. How much protrusion are you talking?

 

I would put a picture up, but I cant be arsed with the flaming I'll get from the purists! lets say its much more than standard, I will do some sort of build thread when its nearer completion, but its very much halfway through the build, and its a daily driver so progress is slow.

[kyepan 291]

 

 

I would put a picture up, but I cant be arsed with the flaming I'll get from the purists! lets say its much more than standard, I will do some sort of build thread when its nearer completion, but its very much halfway through the build, and its a daily driver so progress is slow.

Go on, what harm would it do...;-)

[Cameron 16]

You're a brave man if you do.. either be very sure that you're right or very thick skinned. Anything pertaining to even the slightest legal deviation will be met with strong opinions and / or threats of reporting you to the authorities, trust me.

[kyepan 291]

i'm hoping for something a little bit rat look, no one's really done a rat look 205 on here (that i know of). Granted many steer near it with steelies, but they are generally shiny.

 

i want to see filthy stretched tyres over banded steels, and rust, lots of rust.

[allye 530 3 Cars]

i'm hoping for something a little bit rat look, no one's really done a rat look 205 on here (that i know of). Granted many steer near it with steelies, but they are generally shiny.

 

i want to see filthy stretched tyres over banded steels, and rust, lots of rust.

 

Why? Ratting a car is THE gayest thing in the world! Ruining decent cars for years.

Edited March 29, 2012 by allye

[Cameron 16]

Oooh let's all hang a toy of our rear towing eye.. how alternative!

[welshpug 1,657]

funny how most of the dangly smurfs I've seen were in scrapyards

Edited March 29, 2012 by welshpug

[kyepan 291]

Why? Ratting a car is THE gayest thing in the world! Ruining decent cars for years.

What's more is the rat crew absolutely love it too, i think it adds spice to what would otherwise be a fairly linear scene. Standard at one end - performance at the other, with a collection of slightly dense lost souls being barry somewhere in between. It's a bit left field, not quite about making it fast, or pristine, or perfect, or loud etc, no doubt the appeal is not for everyone.

 

I like the concept, junk on the outside, very personal, tidy on the inside and underneath.

 

funny how most of the dangly smurfs I've seen were in scrapyards

that's where smurfs go to die.

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

i'm hoping for something a little bit rat look, no one's really done a rat look 205 on here (that i know of). Granted many steer near it with steelies, but they are generally shiny.

 

i want to see filthy stretched tyres over banded steels, and rust, lots of rust.

you're almost bang on to be honest! but id like to say, this isn't a car that I've deliberately made ratty, it just is a ratty car to begin with.

but regardless Im sure everyone will cry home to mummy cos its not the 'norm' in 205 world.

and it also commits the cardinal sin of being a 5 door!!

pic to follow when i can be arsed to get outa bed!