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Written question asked by Graham Leadbitter (Scottish National Party) on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 29 January 2026. It was answered by Lilian Greenwood (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 February 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.


Tyres: Standards

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact on road safety, the environment and consumers of requiring vehicle manufacturers to offer all-season or winter-rated tyres as a standard or selectable factory-fit option on new vehicles sold in the UK, particularly for use in colder and rural regions; and whether he plans to review current regulations or guidance in this area.

Answer

Manufacturers are free to offer any tyre they choose but all new tyres, before they are permitted for sale in the UK, must demonstrate that they achieve a minimum wet grip performance. They are also required to display certain performance attributes at the point of sale to enable the consumer to make an informed choice.

The government’s view is that the relatively low frequency of heavy snow and ice experienced in the UK and the known disadvantages of using winter tyres - and to some extent all-season tyres - in warmer temperatures does not support a detailed assessment being conducted at this time.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
108977
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Standards Snow and ice Tyres
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk