Current tread depth legislation requires that car tyres must have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread in a continuous band throughout the central ¾ of the tread width and over the whole circumference of the tyre. The lawnmower needs an MOT and road tax to go on the road. I expect tyre tread depth will be the same Steve

Ride on mowers do not come under the Construction and Use Regs as they are deemed as plant and therefore are not required to have an MOT or comply with the tread depth requirements. The tread depth requirement for vehicles is to ensure braking capability in wet conditions when travelling at speed, which ride on mowers don't, so yes they need some grip from the tyres but not to the extent of motor vehicles hence they are fitted with 'grass tyres' designed to grip on grass whilst they are cutting.

If memory serves me correctly the deciding factor is how often and for how far it travels on the public highway. And the first people to pull you up on that will be the IR if you're running them on red diesel! The same rules should apply to verge mowing as to agricultural machinery

I maybe wrong but I've never seen a tax disc on dumper truck, tele-handler, 360, etc and according to this arguement I should have done.

Hi It may be worth looking at the information on the BAGMA website regarding the vehicle health scheme. http://www.bagma.com/veh..._health_check_scheme.htm In there code of practice (available as a free download) it states "Agricultural motor vehicles, agricultural trailers and agricultural trailed appliances are exempt from the normal MOT or plating and testing requirement applied to many other types of road vehicles." Hope this helps Jeni