Check the applicable requirements
The original regulatory sources in this guide concern Norway. Check current requirements with Statens vegvesen when driving there and the local authority elsewhere. A legal minimum is not a guarantee of adequate grip in every condition.
Measure in several places
Use a tread-depth gauge and follow the tyre manufacturer's instructions. Measure around the tyre and across its tread. A single good reading can conceal uneven wear. Record the results for each wheel.
Look for damage
Check for visible cracks, bulges, embedded objects and uneven wear. Ask a workshop to assess suspected damage. Tread depth alone does not describe the whole tyre or prove that continued driving is safe.
Plan replacement ahead
Compare readings over time and arrange tyres or an inspection before a long journey. Do not wait for the legal limit if conditions require more margin. Follow the car and tyre manufacturers' recommendations.
Keep a simple wheel record
Record the date, wheel position, depth and visible concerns. Photos help a workshop understand changes. Check inflation and vehicle loading too; a tyre's condition is more than its tread measurement.
Sources and further reading
Original sources checked 26 September 2026. Follow current guidance for your vehicle.
Heading somewhere?
Take MileHalo along.
Find stations, compare reported prices and see road reports. Check current prices and conditions before choosing a stop.
See MileHalo in the App StoreEnglish edition, 15 October 2026. Norwegian regulatory sources apply to Norway. Check local rules and your vehicle handbook. Figures are examples, not live prices.