The risk of aquaplaning increases significantly with tyre wear, but depending on the amount of water on the road, cars with tyres that comply with the minimum tread depth requirements may also experience aquaplaning.

When driving on wet roads, a wedge of water builds up in front of the wheels. Depending on the amount of water, your speed and tread depth, this wedge may get pushed under the wheels, causing you to lose control of the car as it is 'floating' on the water with no direct road contact.