Waving them off to uni? Help your undergraduate prepare for their longest drive
17th September 2026
Over 2 million students are set to travel to university in the UK this autumn*, with some embarking on their longest drive yet of up to 200 miles.**
If your young adult is among the many taking to the road over the next few days, it’s critical to educate them on the key tyre safety checks that could save them hours of time and thousands of pounds…
They’re probably feeling the pressure, but so is the car
Leaving home for the first time often means filling the car to the brim with kitchen appliances, bathroom essentials and maybe the odd piece of furniture or two. All of this extra weight on a vehicle can put unnecessary strain on the tyres, which is a safety risk.
Increase the tyre pressures in line with the additional load – the recommended tyre pressures can be found either in the vehicle handbook or on a sticker on the inside of the car door.
Show this to your son or daughter so they are prepared to adjust the pressures themselves when away from home. The pressures should be checked on a monthly basis, or more regularly when doing multiple long journeys.
Insufficient tread = penalty points and a fine of up to £10,000
Tread depth is the key to a confident, controlled, safe drive. Travelling hundreds of miles in the changeable autumn weather can be challenging, but add to the mix worn tyres and it becomes a risk. The deeper the tread depth on the tyres, the better the grip and handling, and the sharper the braking.
Here’s a simple, quick check you can teach them:
Take a 20p coin and insert it into the main groove of the tyre. If the outer band of the coin is hidden, the tread depth is sufficient. If it’s visible, then the tread is dangerously low and the tyre should be replaced as soon as possible. It’s important to check the whole circumference of the tyre too, to ensure the tread is wearing evenly.
The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm – anything below that could result in a fine of up to £2,500 and 3 penalty points per tyre.
Don’t forget damage control
Tyre damage may have gone unnoticed if they haven’t been looked over in a while, and things like potholes encountered during daily driving can impact the rubber more than you might think. Encourage your uni goer to have a thorough look over all tyres. If they see any cuts, bumps or bulges, these need immediate attention. Unsure what to look out for? Contact your local garage for further advice, they may even suggest you take the vehicle to them so they can carry out a thorough check themselves, giving you peace of mind.
Waving them off to start a brand new chapter away from home can feel daunting enough for you and them, so don’t let poorly maintained tyres add to the stress. Help them take control, so you can feel more at ease.
