French Tyre Law

[OvalOwl]

OK folks, the law on tread depth is the same as ours (1.6 mm min) but I thought my fronts were getting a bit close at between 2 and 3 mm so I got a new set of boots fitted yesterday. Whilst chatting with the spanner monkey he mentioned that les frogs require you to have the same tyre of similar wear on a single axle. I can find lots of forum chatter confirming this but also some saying that cars with different tyres each side have passed the CT (equivalent of our MOT) so what is the truth?

Yep you've guessed it. I have different tyres each side on the back and the spare is different again. Do I need to shell out for another pair of boots, or can I wing it?

[Vette_1978]

As long as you give them no reason to pull you over I doubt their going to spot different tyres. If they spot you drinking a Stella, doing burnouts or drive bys at 120mph then expect them to give you a grilling.

[shaun442k]

OvalOwl said:

OK folks, the law on tread depth is the same as ours (1.6 mm min) but I thought my fronts were getting a bit close at between 2 and 3 mm so I got a new set of boots fitted yesterday. Whilst chatting with the spanner monkey he mentioned that les frogs require you to have the same tyre of similar wear on a single axle. I can find lots of forum chatter confirming this but also some saying that cars with different tyres each side have passed the CT (equivalent of our MOT) so what is the truth?

Yep you've guessed it. I have different tyres each side on the back and the spare is different again. Do I need to shell out for another pair of boots, or can I wing it?

So you'd need all 4 tyres to be the same?

I can't see that being true. All I can find is the same requirements as the UK, ie 1.6mm all round and same size on each axle.

nb, My rear right is different to my other tyres so i'd be in the same boat as you.

[JamesBryan88]

Sounds like the guy was trying to get more money out of you i think.

[mrmr96]

I'm pretty sure there's an EU wide agreement whereby "If it's legal in the country of origin then it's legal across the EU."

[Davwlk]

You should be OK providing you've got one on each corner. :-)

[putzie]

tbh , i think there is a lot of B/S on whats legal and not ect , i think the 3mm tread minimum thing has come from countries that use winter tyres by law as these tyres performance goes after they are half worn yet if you take a uk registered car to one of these countries on holiday with normal tyres its perfectly fine , bit like you need to have 2 breatalyslers by law , what a load of bks that was just to scare you into buying them and some one got rich quick !

[OvalOwl]

putzie said:

tbh , i think there is a lot of B/S on whats legal and not ect , i think the 3mm tread minimum thing has come from countries that use winter tyres by law as these tyres performance goes after they are half worn yet if you take a uk registered car to one of these countries on holiday with normal tyres its perfectly fine , bit like you need to have 2 breatalyslers by law , what a load of bks that was just to scare you into buying them and some one got rich quick !

Eggsackerly. I was trying to find out if it was bullst. If it is the garages and tyre places are in on it in la belle France, they often won't sell you a single tyre! The place here in Blighty I got my new fronts from wasn't trying to make an extra sale, it just cropped up in conversation. They had a look at my brakes whilst I was there and didn't mention the fact that the disks are getting a bit lipped and could do with replacing "soon" either. I had no qualms about replacing the tyres since they were down to less tread above the wear indicators than below it and they weren't exacty stellar in the handling, grip and noise departments. The new ones are much nicer!

As for the breathalysers you only need one, but if you use it you need another. However, you won't be fined for not having one because they made a horlicks of the relevant regulations. It is illegal not to have one, but they can't impose sanctions if you don't have one.

[lowdrag]

I think you lot over the water worry too much about coming to France. I really do. The BiB here are army people with a gun on their hip and a tough reputation, but don't you think that during Le Mans week they have other things to do? I've been living here 13 years now and in all that time I have NEVER had them look at my tyres, my spare bulb kit, the fluorescent jacket or any such gubbins. Papers in order sir? On you way, and have a nice day. And if you see just how many cars around here have one light out, be it headlight or whatever, and aren't stopped, how many drivers don't have a licence, nor insurance, and shockingly just how many can't even read or write you will, as I have done, come to understand that some things are way down the list of priorities of the BiB.

[leyorkie]

Agree with Lowdrag.
Is your car on French plates if not then forget it.
There are so many regulations here that are not applicable to non residents, number plates have to be fixed with pop rivets for example. The Police don't check these things, papers, licence, insurance yes but not the rest.