SPACE SAVERS AND THE LAW

[TATTOO26]

Hey im new here got directed over from E38 i need a question answered quite quickly so

need some advice please...

friday coming back from holiday we got a puncture so put on the space saver which has never been used and is in perfect condition.

saturday morning coming back from my ma's not speeding not doing anyhting illegal and the police (undercover) pull me.

so they ask when i put the space saver on.. i say friday, they asked why i aint got a new tire put on yet so i say (its the missus focus) that she is getting a new one on tuesday but they had to order it in which is the truth.

they then say that it is totally illegal to drive around at all with a space saver on (apart from the place where u got the flat and ur home) and proceed to give me a £60 fine and 3 points!!!!!!!

so i werent very pleased at all as u can guess.

anyway spoke to the missus uncle who is a copper in south london and he says its total bollards and i should appeal against it......

........so the question is does anyone know what the law acutally is on using space savers????? any help is good help

cheers toby

[BigotOut]

Was there an offence code on the ticket?

[TATTOO26]

yeah mate it looks like rc 86994

[TheMighty]

The AA recently told me to drive a hire car 300 miles on a round trip on a space saver (at 50mph max) as the hire company didn't have a contact on a weekend that could authorize a new tyre. When I said I thought the police would look on it as driving the car in an unsuitable condition for the roads on which I needed to travel for the rest of the weekend, I was told not to be stupid and that cars wouldn't be supplied with space savers if they were unsuitable. I did show him the section in the handbook that said "for a maximum of 50 miles" which he said was rubbish.

I would dig out your handbook and see what it says on space saver use. If you are within the manufacturers recommendations then I would fight it all the way.

What offence exactly did he charge you with?

[Dave^]

(I think) there should be a two letters followed be two numbers code...

IE

CU20	Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of use of unsuitable vehicle or using a vehicle with parts or accessories (excluding brakes, steering or tyres) in a dangerous condition
CU30	Using a vehicle with defective tyre(s)

[GreigM]

were you going over 50mph?

[siscar]

Space savers are only authorised for use 'in an emergency situation' up to a maximum of 50mph.

[TheMighty]

Thats:

Use a wheeled mv / trailer with tyre unsuitable for use to which vehicle put.

According to what I found you need to refer to R27(1)(a) ) RV (Con & Use) 86 s 41A RTA 88 & Sch 2 RTOA 88

[Fish981]

FWIW it'll fail an MOT with a space saver on.

[alephnull]

They are just worried about budget cuts from the gov't. Gotta supplement that from somewhere! I've reported 3 crimes (someone drove into my car on the motorway at 70 mph, someone robbed my house and the builders next door put a brick through my windscreen) , and got f*** all help every time. I think the paperwork saps their energy to care any more lol.

Not impressed by the BiB. Wish they would solve real crimes rather than taxing motorists. The paperwork is probably easier for a 3 points and a cheeky fine.

[bimsb6]

someone ought to tell the africans in luton about this as they drive around permanently with a space saver on .

[MonkeyHanger]

siscar said:

Space savers are only authorised for use 'in an emergency situation' up to a maximum of 50mph.

The space saver is there to get you home or to somewhere to have your full size tyre repaired / replaced, not to drive around on for days afterwards.

[Rich_W]

Appeal it. You'll probably lose but you might win.

I suspect you must have been doing SOMETHING though to warrant getting pulled. Or maybe you were especially gobby. Does your car stand out?

[TATTOO26]

lol im not a chav.

bog standard 1.4 focus had my son in the car as well just drove along the pulled out a side road about half mile later they pulled me.

[dh2009]

TheMighty said:

The AA recently told me to drive a hire car 300 miles on a round trip on a space saver (at 50mph max) as the hire company didn't have a contact on a weekend that could authorize a new tyre. When I said I thought the police would look on it as driving the car in an unsuitable condition for the roads on which I needed to travel for the rest of the weekend, I was told not to be stupid and that cars wouldn't be supplied with space savers if they were unsuitable. I did show him the section in the handbook that said "for a maximum of 50 miles" which he said was rubbish.

I would dig out your handbook and see what it says on space saver use. If you are within the manufacturers recommendations then I would fight it all the way.

What offence exactly did he charge you with?

Hi there, I work for the AA and I happen to have seen this thread. The information you received is incorrect and I am sorry this has lead to some confusion. I hope this helps.

The correct policy is, a vehicle fitted with a space-saver wheel and tyre is limited to a speed of 50mph, but there are no distance restrictions. It is generally understood that this is a ‘finish-your-journey’ arrangement and you are expected to fit the correct wheel and tyre as soon as possible. However, there is now a huge range of tyre makes, sizes, speed ratings and it would be impossible for any tyre dealer to stock the entire range. Often a suitable tyre must be ordered, which may take several days to arrive. In the meantime the owner has no alternative but to use the space-saver, making sure that it continues to comply with the law in terms of tread depth and pressure.

[Derek Smith]

On the assumption that you have been reported for using an illegal tyre and not that you exceeded the speed limits of the tyre:

Might I suggest writing to the prosecutions department of the relevant force and ask them if they could clarify:

Council Directive 92/23/EEC of 31 March 1992 relating to tyres for motor vehicles and their trailers and to their fitting

as it states that it is perfectly legal to use the 'space-saver' tyre on a vehicle as it complies with the above directive.

YHM

[Jo Bo]

i did 10 k miles on one on my audi, the tyre man said he had never seen one run to bald before

i understood the 50 limit only applies if you leave the 50 sticker on the wheel

[Jo Bo]

not Africa mate

darkest Manchester, it never made it to the top of my important things to do list

[Mr2Mike]

Jo Bo said:

i did 10 k miles on one on my audi, the tyre man said he had never seen one run to bald before

i understood the 50 limit only applies if you leave the 50 sticker on the wheel

I laughed at this until I saw the second post. Now I'm not sure if you are making a joke, being a troll or are a blatantly irresponsible driver? Please say it's the first.

[Jo Bo]

Mr2Mike said:

Jo Bo said:

i did 10 k miles on one on my audi, the tyre man said he had never seen one run to bald before

i understood the 50 limit only applies if you leave the 50 sticker on the wheel

I laughed at this until I saw the second post. Now I'm not sure if you are making a joke, being a troll or are a blatantly irresponsible driver? Please say it's the first.

A and C