49 CFR § 397.17 - Tires.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s397.17"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 397.17 - Tires."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "397.17"
section_name: "Tires."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS"
part_number: "397"
part_name: "TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS; DRIVING AND PARKING RULES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 322; 49 CFR 1.87. Subpart A also issued under 49 U.S.C. 5103, 31136, 31502, and 49 CFR 1.97. Subparts C, D, and E also issued under 49 U.S.C. 5112, 5125."
regulatory_source: "36 FR 4876, Mar. 13, 1971, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "397"
---


# 397.17 Tires.

(a) A driver must examine each tire on a motor vehicle at the beginning of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked.

(b) If, as the result of an examination pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, or otherwise, a tire if found to be flat, leaking, or improperly inflated, the driver must cause the tire to be repaired, replaced, or properly inflated before the vehicle is driven. However, the vehicle may be driven to the nearest safe place to perform the required repair, replacement, or inflation.

(c) If, as the result of an examination pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, or otherwise, a tire is found to be overheated, the driver shall immediately cause the overheated tire to be removed and placed at a safe distance from the vehicle. The driver shall not operate the vehicle until the cause of the overheating is corrected.

(d) Compliance with the rules in this section does not relieve a driver from the duty to comply with the rules in §§ 397.5 and 397.7.