As instructors we need to make sure that we cover all safe practices with our students during driving lessons over the road. Take the situation of the student learning to check proper tread depth on the steer and drive tires.

There is no viable reason to not check these regularly as they are easily done with something as handy as a quarter.
As the summer heat has likely cooked your treads to a degree, start testing the tread depth regularly to prepare for that needed depth come snow and ice.

Here’s how to test your drive and trailer tires. Take a Canadian quarter. Turn to the side where the Queen’s head is etched.

To test the tread depth, insert the quarter with the Queen facing up. Yes her head should be at the top. Measure to see if the tread comes up to, or past, the bottom of her collar. If it reaches the collar of the Queen or more, you have your necessary depth of 1.5 mm.

To check on the all-important drive tires, do the same with inserting the quarter into the treads to see if the remaining tread can reach over all of the Queen’s collar. If it does, you have the necessary tread to reach 3.0 mm.

You can quickly measure all of the treads on a tire using this technique, but make sure you test the smallest tread on any tire to make sure it is compliant.

This is a quick and simple way to remain compliant and safe with your equipment.

Be proactive on safety, and drive with caution.