Process for the visual check of tyres, comprising: loading a tyre into a visual inspection station wherein the following actions are actuated: supporting the tyre loaded in the visual inspection station according to a first visual inspection orientation, wherein a geometric rotation axis (X) of the tyre extends horizontally in a vertical first visual inspection plane (V1); executing at least one first visual inspection by supporting a tread band of said tyre in abutment relation on at least one pair of first support rollers spaced parallel with respect to each other and rotatable according to rotation axes parallel to said geometric rotation axis (X); rotating the tyre around a vertical orientation axis (OA), in order to position it according to a sidewall check orientation wherein said geometric rotation axis (X) lies in a vertical sidewall inspection plane, perpendicular to the vertical first visual inspection plane (V1); rotating, around said geometric rotation axis (X), the tyre positioned according to the sidewall check orientation; executing at least one sidewall visual inspection over axially outer surfaces of the tyre during the rotation thereof, positioned according to the sidewall check orientation by supporting the tread band of the tyre in abutment relation on at least one pair of second support rollers spaced parallel with respect to each other and rotatable according to rotation axes parallel to said geometric rotation axis (X); wherein the action of rotating, around said rotation axis, the tyre positioned according to the sidewall check orientation, is preceded by the second support rollers coming into contact with said tread band , which disengages the first support rollers from said tread band . supporting the tyre loaded in the visual inspection station according to a first visual inspection orientation, wherein a geometric rotation axis (X) of the tyre extends horizontally in a vertical first visual inspection plane (V1); executing at least one first visual inspection by supporting a tread band of said tyre in abutment relation on at least one pair of first support rollers spaced parallel with respect to each other and rotatable according to rotation axes parallel to said geometric rotation axis (X); rotating the tyre around a vertical orientation axis (OA), in order to position it according to a sidewall check orientation wherein said geometric rotation axis (X) lies in a vertical sidewall inspection plane, perpendicular to the vertical first visual inspection plane (V1); rotating, around said geometric rotation axis (X), the tyre positioned according to the sidewall check orientation; executing at least one sidewall visual inspection over axially outer surfaces of the tyre during the rotation thereof, positioned according to the sidewall check orientation by supporting the tread band of the tyre in abutment relation on at least one pair of second support rollers spaced parallel with respect to each other and rotatable according to rotation axes parallel to said geometric rotation axis (X); wherein the action of rotating, around said rotation axis, the tyre positioned according to the sidewall check orientation, is preceded by the second support rollers coming into contact with said tread band , which disengages the first support rollers from said tread band . <EOS>