1. (a) A person may not sell or offer for sale, at the point of final retail sale to the consumer, an unsafe tire, for use on a highway, that does not meet or exceed the requirements set forth in subsection (b) of this section or in regulations promulgated under § 22-405(c) of this subtitle.

2. (b) A tire shall be considered unsafe if it:

   1. (1) Has tread wear indicators and the tire is worn to the point that the tread wear indicators are flush with the tread at any place on the tire;
   2. (2) Does not have tread wear indicators and the tire is worn so that less than ²/₃₂ of an inch tread remains when measured in any groove at three locations spaced approximately equally around the outside of the tire; provided that motorcycle tires shall be allowed to be worn down to ¹/₃₂ of an inch, if measured under this paragraph;
   3. (3) Has a worn spot that exposes the cord through the tread;
   4. (4) Has tread cuts, snags, or sidewall cracks in any direction which are deep enough to expose body cords;
   5. (5) Has visible bumps, bulges, or knots indicating partial failure or separation of the tire structure;
   6. (6) Has unrepaired fabric breaks or the sidewall has damaged body cords;
   7. (7) Has been regrooved or recut except as authorized in § 22-405.1 of this subtitle; or

   8. (8) Is marked:

      1. (i) For farm use only;
      2. (ii) For off-highway use only; or
      3. (iii) For racing use only.
3. (c) A tire failing to meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this section may be sold for off-highway use only if the tire has permanently inscribed on its sidewall the letters “OH” at least ¾ of an inch in height.

Added by Acts 1981, c. 342; Acts 1988, c. 6, § 1. Amended by Acts 2005, c. 25, § 13, eff. April 12, 2005.