Q&A - Tires Too Wide for Fenders

Question: How far can the tread of tires stick out from the fenders on a vehicle before it is a violation? The Motor Vehicle Act Regulations just says that the tread area must be covered by the fender.

Motor Vehicle Act Regulations

Mudguards

7.06 Every motor vehicle, trailer and semitrailer not constructed so that the spray and splash of water and mud to the rear of the vehicle is minimized shall be equipped with mudguards and, if necessary, mudflaps.

Inspection Standards for Tires

The vehicle inspection manual is used by Designated Inspection Facilities to determine whether a vehicle meets the Superintendent's Standards. It says the following:

Inspection Item:

c) fenders, quarter panels and mudflaps

NOTE: All vehicles including modified collectors, Vintage, Ubilt, replicar, replikit and speciality vehicles require fenders/quarter panels.

Reject if:

c) so damaged or corroded that factory installed lamps cannot be secured as per factory installation method, missing section torn or corroded away so road spray is not controlled, not full-tread width of tire, fitted so that it could cause interference with steering mechanism or cause rubbing of tires when suspension bottomed and steering moved stop to stop, includes rear wheels.

The sidewall of the tire isn't going to sling much to the rear because it doesn't extend very far outside the tread of the tire, but the entire tread does need to be covered by fenders and mudflaps.

Enforcement

Police response to this situation can include a Notice & Order 3, Notice & Order 2, a traffic ticket or a combination of these.

The ticket could be issued under Division 7.06 MVAR mentioned above or Section 219(1) MVA. Both are a $109 fine with no penalty points, but the conviction under section 219(1) will appear on a driving record.

Learn More

• Photos of Concern - Tires too Wide for Vehicle Body

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