(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.

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

(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) 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) Has a worn spot that exposes the cord through the tread;

(4) Has tread cuts, snags, or sidewall cracks in any direction which are deep enough to expose body cords;

(5) Has visible bumps, bulges, or knots indicating partial failure or separation of the tire structure;

(6) Has unrepaired fabric breaks or the sidewall has damaged body cords;

(7) Has been regrooved or recut except as authorized in § 22-405.1 of this subtitle; or

(8) Is marked:

(i) For farm use only;

(ii) For off-highway use only; or

(iii) For racing use only.

(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 3/4 of an inch in height.