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Tyre bulge, cracks or low tread: is it safe to drive?

A five-minute UAE tyre check: the 1.6 mm legal tread minimum, wear bars, sidewall bulges, cracks and cuts, uneven wear, and when to stop driving on it.

Short answer

  • The legal minimum tread for cars in the UAE is 1.6 mm, shown by small wear bars in the tread grooves.
  • A bulge, deep crack or cut in the sidewall is a warning sign; get the tyre checked by a professional straight away.
  • Badly worn or cut tyres fail the RTA technical test and can bring a Dh500 fine and four black points.
  • Uneven wear usually points to a pressure or alignment problem, not just an old tyre.
  • Some UAE advice is to replace tyres well before 1.6 mm, at around 4 mm.
In this guide (9 sections)
  1. Is it safe to drive with a bulge in my tyre?
  2. What is the legal tread depth in the UAE?
  3. How do I check tread depth?
  4. The five-minute tyre check
  5. Are cracks in tyres normal in UAE heat?
  6. What does uneven tyre wear mean?
  7. Will my car fail the RTA test for worn tyres?
  8. Do I need to replace all four tyres?
  9. What to check before you act

A car tyre in the UAE is legally worn out at 1.6 mm of tread. A bulge, a deep crack or a cut in the sidewall is a different kind of problem: it can mean the tyre's structure is damaged, and UAE tyre advice is to get it checked by a professional straight away. Either one can fail your car at the RTA test and bring a Dh500 fine.

This guide is a five-minute check you can do on your driveway. It does not replace an inspection by a tyre professional.

uaetyre.com is an independent guide. We are not affiliated with any government authority, tyre brand or retailer, and we don't sell tyres. If a tyre fails while you are driving, see our guide on what to do after a tyre blowout, and call 999 in an emergency.

Is it safe to drive with a bulge in my tyre?

Treat it as urgent. A 2023 Gulf News checklist, based on advice from a tyre distributor, says bulges, cracks and cuts on the sidewall are warning signs that should be checked by an expert immediately. Abu Dhabi Police told drivers in July 2022 to check for cracks or unusual bulges. The National reported in August 2026 that sidewall damage from kerbs or potholes adds to blowout risk.

A bulge is not something to watch and wait on. Practical steps:

  • Don't take the car on a highway or a long trip.
  • If the shop is close, drive there slowly and directly.
  • If not, fit the spare (if it is safe to do so) or call roadside assistance.
  • Don't let anyone talk you into a sidewall patch; ask for a proper inspection.

The 2012 ESMA tyre rules, as reported by Gulf News, set these minimums:

Vehicle type Minimum tread
Light vehicles (cars, SUVs) 1.6 mm
Medium vehicles 2.4 mm
Buses and heavy trucks 3.2 mm
Motorbikes 0.8 mm

The same report says tyres past these limits cannot be repaired.

1.6 mm is a legal floor, not a safety target. In 2018, Khaleej Times quoted dubizzle's motors team advising drivers to change tyres when the tread drops under 4 mm. The October 2026 rain warnings from Abu Dhabi Police about wet, slippery roads are a reminder of why: shallow tread clears water less well.

How do I check tread depth?

You have three options.

1. Tread wear indicators. Look in the main grooves for small raised bars running across the bottom. Their position is often marked by a small triangle on the tyre's shoulder. The 2023 Gulf News checklist notes these show the 1.6 mm limit. If the tread surface is level with the bars, the tyre is at the legal minimum.

2. A tread depth gauge. A simple gauge gives a reading in millimetres. Check the inner, middle and outer parts of the tread on each tyre.

3. Ask at a service. Most garages will measure tread as part of a service or a free check. Dubai Police's July 2026 summer campaign included free 10-point checks, tyres among them, at ENOC AutoPro centres.

The five-minute tyre check

Do this once a month, and before long drives. Park on level ground, turn the steering to one side to see the front tyres, and go round each wheel.

Check What to look for What it means What to do
Tread depth Tread level with wear bars At or below 1.6 mm Replace before driving far
Sidewall A bulge or bubble Possible internal damage Get it inspected now
Sidewall Deep cracks or a cut Damage or ageing Get it inspected; cuts fail the RTA test
Tread pattern One edge worn more than the other Likely alignment or pressure problem Check alignment and pressure
Tread surface Nails, screws, glass Puncture risk Have it inspected and repaired if within limits
Date code Last four digits Age; 5-year limit See our date code guide
Pressure Gauge reading, cold Under- or over-inflated Set to placard pressure
Spare All of the above You'll need it one day Check it too

The age check is covered in how to read a tyre date code, and pressure in tyre pressure in UAE heat.

Are cracks in tyres normal in UAE heat?

Some surface cracking happens as rubber ages, and the sun speeds it up. The National reported in August 2026 that sun exposure can crack tyre rubber.

The line we'd draw, based on the advice above:

  • Fine surface lines on an older tyre are a sign of ageing. Check the date code and plan a replacement.
  • Deeper cracks, cracks in the grooves, or anything that opens up when you squeeze the sidewall need a professional look.
  • Any cut through the rubber should be inspected. The RTA said in 2020 that cut tyres fail the technical test.

Abu Dhabi Police said in July 2022 that damaged tyres with breakage or cracks should be replaced.

What does uneven tyre wear mean?

Uneven wear is a symptom, not just a worn tyre. A September 2026 Gulf News piece (tagged as native content and Michelin-linked) says uneven wear usually points to an alignment or pressure fault.

Common patterns, in general terms:

  • Both edges worn, centre fine: often linked to running under-inflated.
  • Centre worn, edges fine: often linked to running over-inflated.
  • One edge worn: often an alignment issue.

If you replace the tyres without fixing the cause, the new ones will wear the same way. The 2023 Gulf News checklist suggests a wheel alignment every time tyres are changed, and rotating tyres about every 10,000 km.

Will my car fail the RTA test for worn tyres?

Yes, if they are bad enough. The RTA said in October 2020 that a vehicle fails the technical test if its tyres are more than five years old, badly worn or cut. Tyre condition was the top reason cars failed the Enoc Tasjeel test in 2017, according to Khaleej Times in 2018.

On the road, driving on worn or damaged tyres has been fined at Dh500, four black points and seven days' impoundment. See our tyre fines guide for the details and the open question about the 2025 traffic law.

Do I need to replace all four tyres?

Not always. RoadSafetyUAE advice reported by Gulf News in 2020 was to replace all four on a permanent four-wheel-drive car. On a two-wheel-drive car, if you replace only two, the advice was to fit the new pair on the rear.

When you do replace, check prices from more than one seller and the production year of what you're buying. Our tyre prices guide and our look at Chinese vs premium tyres can help.

What to check before you act

  • Find the wear bars and compare them with the tread; 1.6 mm is the legal limit.
  • Look at both sidewalls for bulges, cuts and deep cracks; get any of these inspected now.
  • Read the date code on every tyre and the spare.
  • If wear is uneven, check pressure and alignment before buying new tyres.
  • Don't drive on the highway with a bulge.
  • We checked these sources on 23 October 2026.

Explainer

What the markings on a tyre mean

An example sidewall, drawn for this site. Tap a number to jump to its meaning. Your tyre's markings will differ; the layout is similar on most car tyres.

Annotated tyre sidewallA section of a tyre sidewall showing the size 275/60 R20, load and speed index 116H, the DOT code ending in the date code 3222, the maximum pressure marking and a tread wear indicator triangle. Numbered markers link to the explanations below. 275/60 R20 116H DOT M5H 7Y2R4X 3222 MAX. PRESS. 350 kPa (51 PSI) 1 2 3 4 5 6

  1. 1 Size 275/60 R20

    275 is the width in millimetres. 60 is the sidewall height as a percentage of the width (here 165 mm). R means radial. 20 is the wheel diameter in inches. It must match the size on the label in your driver's door frame or your manual.

  2. 2 Load index and speed rating 116H

    116 is a load index: up to 1,250 kg per tyre. H is a speed rating: up to 210 km/h. When you replace tyres, match or exceed the originals. RoadSafetyUAE advises staying within a tyre's load and speed ratings.

  3. 3 DOT code (tyre identification number)

    "DOT" is followed by a plant code and a manufacturer's code, then the date code. The full code is sometimes moulded on one side only, so check the inner sidewall if you can't find it.

  4. 4 Date code 3222

    The last four digits, usually in an oval: week, then year. 3222 means week 32 of 2022. In the UAE the five-year line runs from this date. Work out your tyre's age.

  5. 5 Maximum pressure

    The most the tyre can safely hold, not the pressure to run it at. Use the figure on your door label, checked when the tyres are cold. See tyre pressure in UAE heat.

  6. 6 Tread wear indicator (TWI)

    A small triangle or "TWI" on the shoulder marks where the wear bars sit in the grooves. When the tread is level with the bars, it is down to 1.6 mm, the legal minimum for cars in the UAE. See the five-minute tyre check.

Questions people ask

Is it safe to drive with a bulge in my tyre?

UAE tyre advice treats a sidewall bulge as a warning sign to have checked by an expert immediately. Drive slowly and directly to a tyre shop, or use roadside assistance, rather than continuing your journey or taking the highway.

What is the legal tread depth in the UAE?

1.6 mm for light vehicles, 2.4 mm for medium vehicles, 3.2 mm for buses and heavy trucks and 0.8 mm for motorbikes, under the 2012 ESMA tyre rules.

How do I check tread depth without a gauge?

Look for the tread wear indicators: small raised bars across the bottom of the grooves, often marked by a triangle on the shoulder. If the tread is level with the bars, the tyre is at about 1.6 mm.

Are small cracks in tyres normal in the UAE?

Sun and heat can crack rubber. Fine surface lines on an older tyre are a sign of ageing, and deeper cracks or any cut through the rubber should be checked by a professional. Abu Dhabi Police have said damaged tyres with cracks should be replaced.

Can a tyre with a sidewall cut be repaired?

Don't rely on it. Cuts are a reason to fail the RTA test, and the 2012 ESMA rules say tyres beyond the puncture or wear limits cannot be repaired. Ask a tyre professional to inspect it.

General information only, not legal or mechanical advice. Rules, fines and prices change; check with the RTA, your local police or a qualified fitter before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Sources

  1. UAE: 5-point checklist to maintain car tyres and stay safe (Gulf News, 2023)checked 23 October 2026
  2. What the law says on tyres (Gulf News)checked 23 October 2026
  3. RTA carries field inspection of vehicle tyres in Dubai (Government of Dubai Media Office, 2020)checked 23 October 2026
  4. How to maintain vehicle tyres during summer in UAE (Khaleej Times, 2018)checked 23 October 2026
  5. UAE: Dh500 fine, four black points, vehicle impoundment for driving with worn-out tyres (Khaleej Times, 2022)checked 23 October 2026
  6. Abu Dhabi: Dh500 fine, four black points for driving with tyres past their expiry date (Gulf News, 2022)checked 23 October 2026
  7. Tread carefully: UAE drivers warned over tyre blowout risk (The National, 2026)checked 23 October 2026
  8. Five minutes before you drive: the summer tyre checks that matter (Gulf News, native content, 2026)checked 23 October 2026
  9. Tyres more than five years should not be used on Dubai roads, motorists reminded (Gulf News, 2020)checked 23 October 2026
  10. Dubai Police launch summer road safety drive with free checks (Gulf News, 2026)checked 23 October 2026
  11. UAE rain alert: Abu Dhabi Police warn motorists over wet roads and poor visibility (Gulf News, 2026)checked 23 October 2026

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