Enquiry regarding the use of non e-marked tyres in the UK - cars
Dear Sir or Madam,
I would like to confirm that it is legal to use non e-marked tyres on the UK roads, and be fully compliant with 'Construction and Use' regulations and the Road Traffic Act.
The supply of tyres is clearly governed by the Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994, under which any UK tyre retailer must fulfil their legal obligations by not selling non e-marked tyres intended for road use.
Non e-marked tyres however can become present on the UK roads via imported cars, or via direct overseas purchases, or sourced from a UK retailer selling tyres for non-road use.
Once a non e-marked tyre is fitted to a car, irrespective of how sourced, the tyre obligations of the vehicle user fall firmly under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.
I am unaware of any references within Construction and Use regulations which stipulate ECE regulation adherence (specifically to UN/ECE Regulation
30).
The tyre in question is a non e-marked USA road legal 'DOT' (USA Dept of Transport) stamped tyre*, with UK road legal tread depth, tread wear markers, and in all respects, complies with the Construction and Use regulations.
This is simply to understand a position which has occurred in the past, and may or may not be repeated in the future.
Yours faithfully,
Chris Eyre