How to check truck tyres for safety

Tyres must be checked before every trip as part of your pre-trip inspection. Tyre failures on a steer axle can cause loss of control, while tyre failures on twin-tyred axles can wipe out suspension components and leave debris on the road.

1. Check tyre pressures

• Visually and audibly (by hitting them with a mallet or similar) check all steer, drive, and trailer tyres for signs of under-inflation.
• Periodically use a pressure gauge or tyre monitoring system where fitted.
• Ensure tyres on the same axle are evenly inflated.
• Recheck pressures if the vehicle has recently been off-road or on rough surfaces.
• If you need to inflate the tyres, you’ll need a specialist for this because they need to be in a cage when inflated.

2. Inspect tread condition and wear

• Confirm tread depth is above the legal minimum across the full tyre width.
• Look for uneven wear, feathering, or cupping, particularly on steer and drive axles.
• Inspect inner tyres on duals, including trailer axles.

3. Inspect sidewalls closely

• Check for cuts, splits, bulges, cracking, or exposed cords.
• Pay extra attention to sidewalls after site work, as kerbs, rubble, and debris can cause hidden damage.
• Any sidewall damage is a defect and must be reported.

4. Check for foreign objects and damage

• Look for nails, screws, stones, wire, or other debris lodged in the tread.
• Check between dual tyres for trapped material that could cause heat build-up, failure, or become a missile if it dislodges while the tyre is spinning.

5. Inspect wheels and rims

• Check for cracked or damaged rims, loose or missing wheel nuts, and rust streaks indicating the nuts are coming loose. If you use wheel nut indicators, this is more obvious.
• Ensure rims are free of excessive mud or debris, particularly after worksite access.

6. Check valves and valve caps

• Valves must be straight, undamaged, and fitted with caps.
• Listen for air leaks, especially on trailer axles.

7. Check trailer tyres and condition

• Do not focus only on the tractor unit — fully inspect all trailer tyres.
• Check for mismatched tyre sizes or significantly different tread depths, which can affect stability and braking.

8. Post-worksite check (if applicable)

• After leaving a worksite, recheck tyres for damage, debris, or pressure loss before continuing the journey at road speeds.

If in doubt — do not proceed

Any tyre defect, damage, or pressure issue must be reported and rectified before travel or site entry. Never enter or leave a worksite with a known tyre defect.